Act without Expectations

 

Act without Expectations....

I am a human being who exists in this beautiful world, and I have everything I need. I am a satisfied soul. I receive sunlight to see brightness, the moon to dispel my darkness, and stars that teach me how to shine. Nature nourishes me with food for survival, and fresh air gives me life through every breath I take. I have faith that connects me to the divine. I am blessed with parents who guide me, and surrounded by family and friends who offer warmth and love. The beauty of nature reminds me that I am alive and that I truly exist in this universe. As a human, I have a mind to think, to learn, to grow both for myself and for those who love me. But when was the last time we truly felt this sense of affirmation and gratitude? Since the day humans came into existence, we have always possessed so much yet we continue searching for more. Even with family, wealth, and fame, we often feel there’s still something missing. Our expectations grow with time not only from others but also from ourselves.

Recently, we successfully fitted hearing aids for 15 children, each tailored to their individual hearing needs. During the fitting session, I guided the parents and children on how to properly care for and maintain the devices. I emphasized that each hearing aid, generously donated by a corporate sponsor, is worth approximately ₹70,000. It's essential to value this support by ensuring that the children wear their hearing aids consistently throughout the day and handle them with care. With proper maintenance, these devices can last 5 to 7 years. I also reminded them that while the current hearing aids are covered under a two-year warranty, they must begin planning ahead financially and practically for future care and potential replacement. Starting early will reduce the need to depend on external help again. After the counseling session, I shared inspiring videos of children who previously received hearing aids through our charity efforts and how those devices transformed their lives. It was a powerful reminder of the impact such support can have.

While I was showing the videos, some children were standing at the back and couldn’t see clearly. They politely requested to come forward. As they watched, they admired the achievements of the children featured in the video. With bright eyes and hopeful hearts, they said, “We will also work hard like them and come back to show you our progress.” That moment touched me deeply. These kids understood my expectations for them not through words, but through the sincerity of their promise. They said they would do their best, and that gave me hope. But amidst this positive energy, one parent approached me and asked, “Are you sure you’ve given my child a good enough hearing aid?” At that moment, I wished for a different response one that recognized the effort behind this initiative. A simple “Thank you. We will now take it forward and support our child wholeheartedly,” would have meant so much. I’ve done my part with dedication, and now it’s your turn as parents to continue the journey with faith, care, and commitment. Together, we can help these children achieve their fullest potential.

But the truth is, it’s not just that one parent’s fault our society as a whole has evolved this way. Trust has slowly faded. Even when charity is done with genuine intentions, people often struggle to see it clearly. They question whether the help is real or if there’s a hidden agenda. In some cases, the underprivileged receive more than they need sometimes without fully valuing it while those who help often do so for personal gain, seeking recognition or numbers rather than true impact. As a result, much of the work being done today feels directionless actions without deeper meaning or purpose. People are confused. They don’t know what to expect anymore. Is it real help they seek, or just a superficial sense of support? Social media has only added to this confusion. With constant noise and conflicting narratives, it's becoming harder for people to distinguish what is truly good, meaningful, and authentic from what is not.

Another important lesson we’ve learned is that when our expectations aren’t fulfilled, we tend to blame others. Whether it’s about awareness, cleanliness, religious divides, competition, or even small domestic issues we often shift responsibility instead of reflecting within. As individuals, we’ve become increasingly selfie-oriented focused on ourselves, our image, our gains while forgetting that true communication and community thrive only when we are connected to one another. We cannot all be doctors, engineers, delivery workers, or peons. Every role, no matter how big or small, is essential. Humanity survives only when we support each other, when we recognize the value in every person’s contribution. In today’s selfie world, our expectations have grown disproportionately often without any soul-to-soul connection. And when a calamity strikes or a disheartening incident occurs, we’re quick to point fingers. But aren’t we all, in some way, responsible? Isn’t it time we stop blaming and start building deeper connections, rooted in empathy and shared responsibility? 

Instead of celebrating the good that happens in our society, we often choose to highlight only the negative, sensational, and cruel news especially on social media. We enjoy movies filled with meaningless plots and abusive language, and ironically, we promote them the most. Sometimes, even the actors themselves don’t realize the kind of message they’re sending out into the world. Respect for gender, for values, for humanity seems to be fading. In the pursuit of money and fame, we’re willing to cross any boundary. We increasingly promote narratives that divide us especially around religion. But when God sent us into this universe, He didn’t label us by religion or caste. He gave us one identity: Human. So what are we doing now? Though we look alike, feel alike, and think alike, we continue to differentiate ourselves for personal gain. Worse, we encourage others to do the same. It’s time to ask ourselves: Are we truly living as humans or just wearing the label while forgetting its meaning?

Though the world has become smaller with technology connecting us in hours, minutes, or even seconds somewhere, we are losing sight of deeper values. We speak of gender equality, and we live in a world where both men and women are expected to work, contribute, and grow with equal strength and opportunity. Yet in many places, male dominance still prevails. Expectations from women whether as daughters, wives, mothers, or professionals remain disproportionately high. In this hyper-connected world driven by social media, we have greater exposure than ever before. But ironically, our thoughts are becoming narrower, and our expectations both from ourselves and others are rising rapidly. This widening gap between what we see and what we feel is one of the key reasons behind the growing mental health issues in today’s generation. Isn’t it time we reflect on whether we’re truly progressing or just moving faster without direction?

The day we start working on ourselves without constantly expecting from others life will begin to feel more meaningful and beautiful. It is often said that parents who chase perfection in their children may find only rare success. But those who accept their children as they are, who encourage, respect, and celebrate every small step of progress, build a treasure of cherished memories and stronger bonds. The same applies to all of us. Growth rooted in respect, encouragement, and purpose rather than pressure and high expectations leads to a more fulfilling and joyful life. Let’s focus on progress, not perfection. Let’s live with purpose, not pressure.