We are told to expect nothing. To let go of all desires. They say this frees us from fear—fear of loss, fear of pain, fear of the unknown. But is this true freedom?
When we expect nothing, we shrink. We close off. The spirit fades. Life becomes dull and suffocating. Without expectations, we lose the thrill of surprise. We stop dreaming. We become empty vessels, moving through the day without spark or joy.
But what if we expect everything? What if we open ourselves to all possibilities? This is a big ask. Expecting everything means facing everything—the highs, the lows, the unexpected twists. How do we handle it?
To expect everything is to live fully. It is to embrace the richness of life. Yes, disappointment may come. But so will joy. So will wonder. When we expect everything, we open ourselves to the vastness of life. We accept what comes without clinging to it.
To be fully alive and spontaneous, we need to embrace everything—joy, beauty, love, pain, grief, disappointment. As Lao Tzu reminds us, we must flow like water:
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” —Lao Tzu
Expecting everything doesn’t mean we must be perfect. It doesn’t mean we should force ourselves to be happy all the time. It means being open. Being ready for whatever life brings. It means trusting in the flow, and knowing that we can handle what comes.
This is not easy. But it is possible. And when we live this way, we feel more alive. We feel the juices of spirit returning. We are spontaneous again. We are whole.
So, is it possible to live without expectations? Perhaps not. But it is possible to live with openness. To live with readiness. To expect everything, and to accept it with grace. This is the way to a life full of wonder, joy, and peace.
