We often mistake rejection for evidence that we should have remained silent.

Lately, I've been thinking about the expectations we place on other people and how often those expectations are built around potential rather than reality. I don't think most of us do this intentionally. In fact, it usually comes from a good place. We see something in someone that we admire, appreciate, or believe in. We see their intelligence and assume they'll be dependable. We see their kindness and assume they'll be courageous. We see their potential and assume they'll act on it. We see their capability and assume they'll choose growth. Over time, we begin to connect these things as if they naturally belong together. But they don't always.

I've always been an observer, long before I understood why, I noticed things. Changes in tone. A shift in posture. The expression that flashes across someone's face before they have time to hide it. The subtle difference between someone who is relaxed and someone who is carrying tension. These observations often happen instantly. Sometimes I can feel the mood of a room before a conversation even begins. Sometimes I notice that someone is uncomfortable, worried, frustrated, or completely at ease before they say a single word.