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Happy New Year!

My yoga instructor and one of my best frens directed me to a very interesting website recently – http://www.yogajournal.com/newsletter/myj_312.html. The article gave a very yogic explanation of expectations.

“While we all harbor expectations in our lives, the trick seems to be to tread lightly and loosely with them. This week, be prepared to accept whatever situations present themselves, approach them with a neutral mind, and take appropriate action rather than resist.” (Andrea Kowalski)

The issue of expectations has been discussed many a time with another very good male friend of mine. We have had our fair share of disagreements because of varying expectations of our friendship. I have come to realise that we are all ‘victims’ of our own desires and notions of what should be.

We all harbour expectations, large or small, positive or negative. As Asians in a fast-paced Singapore, we are already “victims” of our parents’ or society’s expectations of what we should achieve in school and life. The amazing thing is, we are hardly aware of our expectations most of the time and unfortunately, our expectations can lead us to unkind actions, words and unwanted circumstances.

How many times have U been upset with someone U care about because of what U expected them to do? How many times have U been cheesed off with yourself for not achieving what U thought was within your grasp? I’ve been guilty numerous times. Even when I practise yoga, I realised that I often expect a perfect prasarita or urdhva mukha svanasana. So silly, why stress myself when I’m still recuperating from my fractured ankle? Honestly…

Some people might argue that without expectations, one will never stretch oneself and put in effort. But do we overlook possibilities because we are enslaved by our expectations?

Try this the next time U enter a conversation with a friend/boss/colleague/date – Be fully present, enjoy the conversation, (even if U’re getting scolded by your boss!) listen, instead of thinking of what to say next or expecting the conversation to go according to what U expect. Simply go with the flow and explore the possibilities of the conversation. U might discover that the conversation will be alot more pleasant, meaningful and littered with laughter. Try to apply it to your daily activities too.

Do share with me what U encounter coz I’m trying to practise it too!