A millionaire who  possessed everything  needed to be happy, to enjoy life once met a monk and complained that he felt very disappointed, unhappy. He wanted to understand from the monk the reason for his disappointment. The old monk smiled and replied “Son, your  disappointment in life is because of misplaced expectations  that concerns your relationships and interactions with others.”‘ Have no expectations. It will greatly reduce unnecessary frustration and suffering, in both your life and theirs. You will focus  on the things that truly matter and experience happiness. The millionaire was puzzled. “‘Please guide me Master.. what do I do?…The monk began…..

Do not expect people to approve you.

You deserve to be happy and live a life you are excited about.  Don’t  forget that.  You are not in this world to live up to the expectations of others, nor should you feel that others are here to live up to yours.  The more you approve of your own decisions in life, the less approval you need from everyone else. Dare to be yourself. Follow your own intuition, however frightening or strange it may feel .Don’t compare yourself to others.Do not get discouraged by their progress or success. Follow your own path. Stay true to your own purpose.  Success is ultimately about spending your life happily in your own way.

Respect yourself. Do not expect  the world to respect you

True strength is in the soul , not in muscles. Have faith and trust in who you are.  Never  beg anyone for the love, respect, and attention that you should be showing yourself. It is important to be nice to others, but  even more important to be nice to yourself.  Practice self-love and self-respect and give yourself the opportunity to be happy. When you are happy, you become a better friend, a better family member, and a better YOU.

Do not expect people to like you.

You might feel unworthy to one person, but to another you are priceless.  Never forget your worth.  Spend time with those who value you. No matter how good you are to people, there will always be one negative person who criticizes you.  Sometimes people will call you names because you’re “different.”  But that’s perfectly OK.  The things that make you different are the things that make YOU as a person, and the right people will love you for it. Smile, ignore them, and carry on.

Allow people to be themselves. Do not expect  them  to fit in your idea.

When you stop expecting people to be a certain way, you can begin to appreciate THEM. Pay close attention, and respect people for who they are and not for who you want them to be.   Every human being is remarkable and beautiful. The more you get to know someone, the more you will be able to look beyond their appearance and appreciate the beauty of who they truly are.

Stop expecting them to know what you are thinking.

People can’t read minds.  They will never know how you feel unless you tell them.  Your husband?  He doesn’t know you’re expecting his help in your routine chores. Your wife? She doesn’t understand what a hard day it must have been in office.That charming guy you haven’t talked to (because you’re too shy) will never know your feelings for him. In life, you have to communicate with others regularly and effectively and  tell people what you are thinking.

No expectations of  a sudden change

You can’t change people and you shouldn’t try.  Either you accept who they are or you choose to live without them.   When you try to change people, they often remain the same.  But  when you don’t try to change them instead you support them and allow them the freedom to be as they are – they gradually change in the most beautiful manner.

Do not expect people to be “OK.”

Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle, just like you. Be kind.   Every smile conceals  an inner struggle which is every bit  complex and extraordinary as your own. We all share very similar dreams, needs and struggles and we need to accept this. Only then this world will become a place where  we can look someone else in the eye and say, “I’m lost and struggling at the moment,” and they can nod and say, “Me too,” and that’s OK.  Because not being “OK” all the time, is perfectly OK.

I am not sure about the millionaire, But I will certainly follow the words of the monk. What do you say?