NO EXPECTATIONS NO DISAPPOINTMENTS
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Are you a result oriented person?
Yes?
Are you obsessed with the “return” you get on your “investments”?
If your answer is yes, then why don’t you try to adopt a philosophical approach to life.
Here is a saying from Lao-tzu from Tao Te Ching:
Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench.
Care about other people's approval and you will be their prisoner.
Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.
--Lao-tzu, Tao Te Ching, ch. 9
Yes, that is the key - Do your work, then step back.
Or better still, let Chapter 2 Verse 47 of The Bhagavad Gita be your guide:
karmany evadhikarass te maphalesu kadacana ma karma-phala-hetur bur ma te sango stv akarmani
(Seek to perform your duty; but lay not claim to its fruits. You have a right to perform your prescribed action, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results your activities, but neither should you avoid doing your duty).
So that’s the moral of the story: Always do your best without expecting results and you will be happy.
In today’s materialistic world, when you invest your money you expect a return on your investment (ROI). Some persons apply this ROI theory to other domains of their lives as well. For example, they feel that if they invest in a relationship, especially marriage, they must get returns (ROI).
As far as any relationship is concerned, especially marriage, it is best to adopt the following philosophy: No Expectations, No Disappointments, Happy Marriage.
Apply this philosophy in your career, work life too - Do your job to the best of your ability and then step back and forget about results, rewards etc - have no expectation, expect no “return” and you will not be disappointed.
So, Dear Reader, forget Quid Pro Quo.
Just do what you want to do and step back.
Do not expect anything in return.
Just do something for the sake of doing that something – do it because you want to do it, you enjoy doing it, and forget about the results.
Remember, if you have no expectations you will have no disappointments.
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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2 comments:
exactly what I had in mind (incl. the sloka from bhagvad gita!!) when I put in my comment on your last post on Frustration...!!
Dear Little Princess - I am so glad you contemplate so deeply and have a philosophical approach to life
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