Expectations

Someone gets into religion with the thought that things are going to get a lot better.  In the beginning, maybe so, and the ego gets pumped up with more expectation.  But then life does not live up to expectations.  Christians love Christmas but not the Cross or Good Friday.  A deep spiritual practice of prayer allows for us to accept that life and my expectations will not always match up.  I practice prayer to change me, not the world over which I have little control.  My ego needs humility.