We expect ourselves to become great....but sometimes our expectations fall short - Miranda, Grey's Anatomy
Last night, I was halfway thru watching one episode of Justice. Actually, it was my first time to watch the legal drama. The show is somehow a crossbreed of csi and this certain legal drama i used to watch at ch. 9 back then (of which, the title, i have already forgotten!, and no, it's not Ally Mcbeal).
As one of the movie critics have said, it is a fast paced drama about a team of lawyers getting the job done. It focuses not so much about the case presented at hand, or before the court, it focuses more on the drama of how lawyer try to win a case. It presents the lawyers, not only as a group of intellectual individuals investigating, making queries and presenting evidences but as individuals who have emotions, beset by difficulties such as disappointments and frustrations.
Anyway, the drama last night was about how the young lawyer, Tom tries to win a case of a teenager charged for murdering a man, who at the scene of the crime was seen crucified. Tom believes that the teenager is inncocent, and thus tried to prove this at court.
Tom is an idealist lawyer, and being one, he only defends those persons who believes is innocent. He works hard for the case, his emotions get by his way at times, and this sparks small argumentations and confrontations between the lawyers themselves. Tom seems transparent and sensitive to his emotions (or rather, it is part of the drama that he shows it). He can be seen disappointed, frustrated and even nervous, especially when verdict is already presented.
Ron, the veteran lawyer, seem to act as the consultant, having been to a lot of trials. He advices the group on what to do next, and what to think about the case. Somehow, he seem to be an adviser, especially for Tom who can get emotional about a case he works on. He motivates Tom to move on after a case, and get on with another one. Things can get frustrating, but those are the things that lawyers need to go through, and not to wallow upon.
On the certain episode, Tom wasn't able to win the case, the teenager was proven guilty. In the end, Tom is seen mulling over it, alone at the office building, thinking about how things went, and what he could have done more. Ron comes over and tells him, "the press is looking for you downstairs, you need to face them" Tom feels hesitant, but Ron reminds him: "One lesson you need to know about us laywers, you need to face the press, tell them it's not yet over!"
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In Grey's Anatomy, the chief of surgery, was about to resign, and thus finding someone to replace his post. Three resident doctors, Dr. Preston, Derek, aspire for the position and each find their own means on how they will be able to tell this to the outcoming chief. Unfortunately, the three approached the doctor all at the same time, each yapping about their own concerns and interests for the position. Dr. Richard Webber, the chief surgeon got irritated about their rush at him and raised his voice: "You know what, I just had a beautiful morning. I happily walked in this building, handed my resignation papers, and is about to buy flowers and visit my wife. It was a beautiful morning, not until you three come yapping at me!"
The three realizing about their overeagerness was caught in a silence.
Miranda, another resident doctor who was going around the hospital gathering signatures for her petition to have a free clinic, appeared. She was surprised to hear about the chief's resignation. When she asked about this to the chief, he immediately told her: "Yes, I'm going to resign. You're one of the potentials for my post, but you were so busy persuading me and everybody else for your free clinic. And for you three, you approaching me like lost kids just showed me your overeagerness..."
The chief surgeon's disappointment can be sensed.
With that, he walked away, again leaving the doctors stunned.
In the end, the three realized the immaturity they have shown for their sudden approach, as well as the ir overeagerness.
Miranda, however, continued for her signature campaign. One sure thing, she knows what she wants, and its not about the highest position, it's still about having her free clinic, one that can minimize the unnecessary surgeries, thus increase the hospital's capability to save lives.
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It was true what Miranda said, we do have expectations for ourselves. We wish to do whatever we want to do, achieve the highest achievement that we can achieve. But things are not that easy. In our quest to fulfillment, moreover personal success, obstacles are met, challenges are ever-present. At times, the challenge can be discouraging, as if telling us that since we are met with hurdles, maybe, the things we are trying to have our not meant for us, and it's better to leave it that way; but sometimes, these pose as motivators, pressuring us to do more, be more.
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One time, an officemate approached me, asking me why I haven't hit quota for a long time, was I having problems, are the standards unreasonable?
I told her, we all have different capabilities. Maybe for some, reaching the goal can be just a piece of cake, but for some, it can get really tasking. Now, we have our own strategies, and we use whatever ounce of mental strength and persuasive skills we have in order to meet expectations at work, but sometimes, it's just hopeless.
It's not that we are laxed at work, it's just that we don't have that enough power, enough strength to meet the goal. It can be embarassing, but this doesn't mean that we do not apreciate our work. It doesn't meant that we are just there waiting for our salaries every pay day.
We work, we try to be productive, but not on the same level as hitting the quota. For one thing, I am proud that I adhere to rules, and quality at that. I don't cheat, I don't falsify accounts, and I work adhering to the rules imposed on us. I would like to say I have the value of integrity.
I'm not like any other officemates who will do whatever means just to hit quota and having those extra money. One thing, extra money is good, that's why it's called a bonus, but this doesn't mean that you are required to hit that! (of course, you try, because it's a goal, but if you don't hit it, it doesn't mean that you're a useless worker!)...It's in one's prerogative if he/she wants to hit that every month.
But the thing is, you should ALWAYS try to achieve. But, no one should be harsh enough to tell you that you are not doing your job.
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It is one life's reality that expectations fall short. But what we can do will be to keep expecting and keep creating standards. If you are not able to meet them, then, it's one part of our experiences, thus we should be more forgiving, and not something to be mulled over about and make us feel too frustrated.
Expectations give us a purpose to keep on doing things. It is a drive that keeps us living and going through whatever situation or project we delve ourselves into. It is just like a journey.
That being said, It's not the destination (success) that keeps us going, it's the journey towards it.
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