It isn't a pleasant feeling to be wrong about something or to let someone down.

We put ourselves down and worry about the opinions of others, hoping to please them and keep the peace.

And yet when others disappoint us, sometimes our reaction is one of surprise and almost shock.

A "how could you," or a "not you too."

As if life isn't full of disappointments.

When we come to terms with the imperfections of our teachers, our pastors, our parents, and loved ones we can respond out of such shame and disproval as if to say, "you of all people are not supposed to be wrong, or flawed."

Sadly, we subconsciously do that to so many people when thinking of the perfect spouse our best friends, or people we look up to we almost feel betrayed and discouraged when they let us down.

Disappointment isn't fun, and disappointment can be so sudden that we find ourselves caught off guard, and unable to respond properly.

But what I think I have to learn, and you have to learn, is that disappointment is apart of life.

If we are constantly so shocked and disgusted by the mistakes of others, that we banish them from our lives because of it, or we lose all respect and honor, what does that say about us?

Are we so perfect that we expect perfection from everyone else?

It's so simple, and yet it's not.

We know the world isn't perfect, and neither are we, but what we don't realize is sometimes we expect perfection from ourselves and expect perfection from others and that just isn't fair.

I know good people, and I'm sure you do too,

I've done decent things, as you have, but I'm fully aware that though I'm capable of one good deed, or one kind word, that doesn't mean I will always do good, and always be kind.

Unfortunately.

We live in a world with so much corruption, hate, and destruction, that often times we want to look to something or someone as a beacon of hope.

Maybe it's your parents, your spouse, or someone you look up to, but you have to know that they aren't perfect, and you have to know they will disappoint you.

Don't allow the mistakes of others to cause you to mistrust them, or to disrespect them.

I had a really close friend tell me that when they're my age, they don't want to be like me, they want to be better and further along in life as if I had disappointed them and let them down and could no longer be an example to them.

And like a lot of parents would say, they want better for their kids than they had, and we all hope for the best for others in new opportunities and endeavors.

But we all are on a journey, and my journey looks different than yours.

So if my life doesn't look similar to yours, or if the mistakes I've made are mistakes you don't wish to make, good.

It's my life and my journey, and I am 100% flawed, will 100% disappoint, and will 100% continue to make mistakes.

I don't want to be anyone's example, because I mess up too.

And if that's not okay, and you don't have grace for yourself or for others who mess up, then maybe something is wrong on your end?

I never want to be at a place where it isn't okay to mess up because it is through the messiness of life that I grow.

Through the dirt and shattered pieces of glass that I find life, and real meaning.

So I'm sorry to say I am a disappointment, you will be a disappointment, and other's will disappoint you and those you know.

This is the way of life.

This is how it goes.

We are all imperfect beings trying to be perfect.

When I think instead we need to embrace the imperfection and find the lessons and experience the growth those bring.

Get ready to be disappointed, but know that through disappointment there can be healing, and there can be change.