Expectations Can Ruin Everything ...

When you expect something from a friend, co-worker, family member, or spouse, and they do not live up to that expectation ... you become upset with them, or even disappointed.  It causes anger.  You begin to dwell in that unhealthy state of mind... conjuring all sorts of valid explanations, and creating much suffering for one to bear.

But what if you had NO EXPECTATIONS?

Then people's actions would neither be good nor bad, JUST ACTIONS.

****(We should definitely question the need to label scenarios as GOOD vs. BAD and instead, chose to see everything as a PASSING STATE OF EXPERIENCE, which is essentially neutral.  It is what it is.)****

Without expectations, you could accept everyone without frustration, anger, or sadness.

Therefore, when people disappoint you, IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT.  They are just being who they are.  YOUR EXPECTATIONS are at fault.

You cannot control other people: their thoughts, actions, or influence their opinions to your liking (in a forceful manner).  The TRUTH is that we, ourselves, are only capable of directing our own thoughts and reactions, WITH CONSCIOUS INTENTION AND AWARENESS.***

When we leave judgment behind, we can LIVE IN THE MOMENT, taking what comes as NEITHER good nor bad, but simply WHAT IS.

We can stop ruining our happiness with our thinking, if we let go the "need to control" .. the need to validate our ego ... the delusion that self is above everyone else.... and just START LIVING.

(This is a mixture of someone's writing along with mine.  Unfortunately, I do not remember from whom or where ...but I would like to thank that person for their insight.  This is very common among all of us.  It is also something that takes MUCH PRACTICE AND EFFORT to let go of expectations ... to be vulnerable and open ... in order to allow that INTERCONNECTEDNESS, in which we all fundamentally desire.)

Try shedding your expectations and find yourself at peace as external factors sway less and you become more solid in grounding.

:)