The Power of Expectations: A Journey Through Hope and Humanity

Welcome to Versebound: Let’s Talk About Expectations and Hope in today's blog.

Today, I want to dive deep into something we’ve all been told at least once in our lives: “Don’t have expectations, and you won’t get hurt.”

Sounds familiar, right? It’s a phrase that seems to carry wisdom on the surface, but if you really think about it, is it as straightforward as it seems? Let’s break it down and explore the complex relationship between expectations, hope, and our belief in humanity.

Expectations: Are They Really the Enemy?

We’ve all heard the advice: if you stop expecting things from people, you’ll never be disappointed. If you don’t expect kindness or understanding, you won’t feel hurt when it’s absent. But here’s my take, expectations are not the enemy. They are a form of hope, a reflection of our belief in the potential goodness of the people around us.

Think about it. Imagine you’re stuck in the middle of a storm literally and figuratively. In that moment, you’re not just sitting there numb. Deep inside, you hope someone will come to help you. You expect someone, a fellow human being, to show up. And that expectation is what keeps you going. It’s what keeps you believing that the world is not as cruel as it may seem.

So, when people say, “Don’t expect, and you won’t get hurt,” they’re also saying, “Don’t hope.” But without hope, what’s left? If we strip away expectations, we strip away the very thing that keeps us tethered to the idea of kindness, humanity, and love.

 The Risk of Losing Hope

Here’s the harsh reality: when we stop expecting, we stop believing. If you never expect anyone to care, to help, or to show compassion, you’re essentially giving up on humanity. You’re saying that there is no good left in the world, and that belief can spiral into something even more dangerous - isolation and despair. 

Depression thrives in this space. When you no longer believe that others will be there for you, you stop participating in life. You withdraw, you detach, and you tell yourself, “It’s not worth trying anymore.”And that’s a dangerous road to walk down - a road where we no longer even bother to ask for help or trust in the goodness of others. 

It’s Not the Expectations, It’s the People

Now, don’t get me wrong - unfulfilled expectations can hurt. In fact, they can hurt a lot. When we expect kindness and receive cruelty, when we expect loyalty and receive betrayal, it cuts deep. But that hurt is not because we dared to expect something; it’s because the person on the other end failed to meet the basic standards of what it means to be human.

So, why should we blame ourselves for having hope, for believing in the better side of humanity? When someone disappoints us, they have failed to rise to the occasion. They have lowered themselves. But it’s not your fault for expecting kindness, empathy, or love. Those are the very things that make us human. To stop expecting them is to stop believing in what makes life meaningful.

Conclusion: Keep Hoping, Keep Expecting

In conclusion, I believe expectations aren’t the problem - it’s the failure of others to meet them that causes pain. But that’s not a reason to stop hoping. Don’t let the world convince you that expecting goodness, love, or empathy is a weakness. It’s not. It’s what keeps us alive inside, what keeps us connected to the human experience.

So, don’t give up on expecting. Don’t give up on hope. Yes, there will be disappointments, but it’s better to keep believing in the possibility of kindness than to shut yourself off from the world completely.

Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this - do you think expectations are dangerous, or do they help keep your hope alive? Let’s talk in the comments below!

Stay tuned on versebound.blogspot.com for more thought-provoking posts on life, hope, and everything in between!