Lower your Expectations; But Raise your Standards

Don't give to EXPECT; And don't EXPECT to give; Because God gives when you least EXPECT it! Most of us have learned that if we give something away, we should expect something in return. While this is a true semantic, when we finally recieve what we have been expecting, doesn't it seem less appreciated when we feel it is our just deserve? What if we learned instead to give away without expecting anything in return, perhaps life would be the sweeter. In fact I believe that true praise, appreciation and effective adulation comes from those who have learned to forsake the expectation. Many of us feel that people owe us, in fact even God owes us; And when we receive our just due, we actually feel better about life. But is not the contentment experienced, due to satisfaction of the once altered attitude with justice instead of the actual items recieved? This is something to look into a little further. Is life to be lived expecting apologies, affirmations and applauses just to make us feel better? If so, we will never really learn to appreciate what we receive due to our selfish desire of expecting. A very good example of this can be seen throughout the world in various races that feel, or in fact have experienced some form of injustice. Some races live expecting things from other races due to their past unfair treatments. Because these expectations are not yet completely met, the races develop increased hostility toward one another. While justice is warranted in many cases, perhaps the hostility would be reduced, if we simply reduced our expectations. I'm not suggesting that lowering the expectation means to become passive, I am simply pointing out how attitudes can quite possibly be negatively impacted when we don't get what we think we deserve or want. If in fact one may believe that God is the True, Just and Fair God, then if there is anything due to you, you will receive it when you least expect it. Lower your expectations, but raise your standards. Decide to live by a higher principle or code of ethics. Choose to have character enough for life to deal with both injustices and justice. Don't only live for what is right, for in doing so, you will be sorely disappointed. Your expectations will continue to increase, and you will continue to be let down. I am suggesting a coming up in thought (Higher Thought). Raise the level of your thinking and accept rather than expect what life offers you. Appreciate what you have. Everyday is a day with enough in it, to enjoy it. We often pass those experiences while looking for what may never come, simply because we're expecting it. Remember why you are here, not so much as to receive, as you are to give. But remember, don't give to expect, nor expect to give. Even giving is a privilege. There are thousands of people who would love to give, but don't have to give. The fact that you can give, is not something you should always expect to be able to do. Appreciate that you can give today, and pray that you will be able to tomorrow. Life becomes less weight for us when we don't carry what really isn't there anyway. Life is about trust; Trust that all we deserve is being calculated, and at the time that we need it most, it will be provided. God gives when we least expect it!