Expectation
Posted on: March 19, 2010
Expectation is something inside us that can drive our emotion. Let me give some example using my own experience. I have ever been angry with my student just because I have high expectation on her. She was a sweet and smart student. She was clever, that was why she was able to catch every lesson quickly. That was also a reason why I expect her more than my other students. One day, she was absent. Frankly speaking, I missed her. Next lesson, she was absent again. Actually, I was disappointed with her, why she was absent again. Frankly speaking, I did not really care when my other student was missing from class. However, I was disappointed with her because I thought that she was different. She was diligent student that I have ever known. Months passing by, I started to realized, actually I did not have any good reason to be angry, but just because I believe she should be better than any other student, I disappointed with her, even she just did small mistake.
The story was different, when I faced e a lazy and naughty student. He was a usual boy that liked to sit at the last row in class. Frequently, I found him give no attention to the class discussion. He looked at me with empty eyes. One day I remind him to concentrate and ask him to move to the front row. One miracle happened. He changed his attitude. He tried to concentrate to the lesson. Another miracle happened. He got a better mark in every quiz. I was so happy with him. I expected him nothing, than a great progress made me really happy. His achievement was beyond my expectation.
You see our expectation have impact on our emotion. Just imagine, if we believe that our brother will and can help us. As an example, we want him to fetch us from the airport. Then he refuses us. We will be disappointed. However, when we ask him and expect him nothing. Then, he calls us and informs us that he will not be available to fetch us. We will say it is ok, I know that you are busy and thank you for your attention. I think we will not be disappointed because we have no expectation to be fetched.
Should we have no expectation? Buddhism taught his follower to have no desire. Desire was the one that made man happy and sad. Thus, people should kill their desire to reach happiness. I don’t think as extreme as that, but I really hope I can control my expectation so I will not be easily disappointed with someone.
One Idea at a Time 
Leave a comment