A lot of our struggles come from wanting things from others that they aren’t providing. Parents don’t like the choices their children make, and kids get disappointed by parents. In-laws and friends don’t show up or shut up at the right times.

One of the keys to happiness in relationships is to stop carrying around a list of expectations for others. No one is going to get it right the first time or even the majority of the time. Learn to ask for what you want. Say what you need out loud. Then the other person can do what they can do. What you want may not be within their capacity to give. Appreciate your friends and family members for their particular strengths. No one is good at everything all the time. Often times we look to others to do the thing we should do ourselves. Tossing out the list saves a lot of time and frustration.