Midway on the Midway


On the USS Midway, National Museum. San Diego, California, 2017

Sorry, no ferris wheel on this midway! I'm standing smack in the centre of the flight deck on the aircraft carrier USS Midway. Snapping this photo "midway on the Midway" was somehow amusing to me. I'm not one for admiring warcraft, nor am I a history buff, but after many artsy stops, I reluctantly joined my husband on the self-guided audio tour of this vessel. To my amazement, I was fascinated by its inner workings. Via a labyrinth of narrow corridors and stairways, we explored the captains' bridge, command centre, crew cabins, kitchens, laundry, hospital, and so on. It was a glimpse of life for the naval officers and crews onboard. The expanse of the flight deck, where the aircraft could take-off and land at sea, was a remarkable feat of engineering. 

I could leave out all these details, because the moral of this story is about experiences we've enjoyed more than "expected." Expectations are a complex topic. They can relate to many aspects of our lives in different ways for everyone -- meals, games, events, gift-giving, relationships, vacations, work, retirement or projects. Some would say "the secret to happiness is having low expectations" -- perhaps a pessimistic view. High expectations can lead to disappointment, and no expectations would feel flat. Hi, Low, No? Lao Tzu suggests "act without expectation." It is likely best to live free of expectations; go with the flow to enjoy the activities we take part in, and not be overly affected by their outcome. 

" A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect."  ~ Jonathan Hockwood.


USS Midway - Photo from US Navy National Museum (Public Domain) Decommissioned in 1992. Completed in 1945, she didn't see action in WWII, but was the largest ship in the world until 1955.
It is now a ship museum in San Diego, California.

Comments

  1. AnnetteNovember 14, 2021 at 3:40 AM

    Love this about expectations. I've learned expectations can be good or bad and I am in full agreement - go without expectation and be surprised in every way :) Things aren't always as they appear. Keeping an open mind and heart allowing oneself a full experience.
    Love your blogs :) and I never know what to expect and I'm always amazed :) Thank you! :)

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