Why are you surprised when they act exactly how they always have? Expect nothing of anyone and be good to everyone.
It’s difficult to not hope for people to be kind. We wish people could just be courteous, understanding, and patient. Hoping and wishing are just another form of expectation we shouldn’t hold on to tightly.
Expectation, wishing, and hoping leads to disappointment. When we preemptively play out an interaction with someone, how we’d like the interaction to go, but then that person acts callously, we get upset. But why do we expect this person to act any differently than they always have?
If you have interacted with them enough times to know their character, you shouldn’t be surprised when they act that way. Rude people tend to be rude, that’s just how it goes.
We should try our best to expect nothing, hope and wish for whatever comes, but if we are to expect something from someone else, expect them to act according to how they typically do. Don’t let this knowledge of their typical behavior tarnish your upbeat spirit though. Go into the interaction with the intention of being the best you can be.
Be good to everyone, even your enemies. Never be surprised when they act rudely, defensively, impatiently, or how they always have – why wouldn’t they? Every new interaction is a fresh start and all you have to do is be a good person. They can be whoever they want to be, it doesn’t affect you.
If they act according to their previous standards, move on. If they act differently, more positively, be grateful.
Expect nothing. Accept everything.
October 28, 2022
