Great expectations

What is the root of our woes?  Many a philosopher and thinker has pondered this obvious yet somewhat rhetorical question and posited a few thoughts.  Some think that it is the constant struggle to chase material goods, more wealth, more art, more boats or whatever one thinks is going to get their oar going. 
Turns out if you have no idea if the boat is tied or not that oar may be worthless.  Not being able to row gets a row going.  People get irate and find excuses then try to point fingers and so on.

The great diamond head aka yours truly thinks that woes are an offshoot of having expectations.  It is natural for humans to have expectations just as we breathe air and drink water.  It is innate.  It is not learned.   To expect is to expect to be disappointed.   Not everything can be controlled because we as a species are an unreliable lot.  Therefore a lot unreliable.

That said the Swiss do know how to run trains on time so if you miss one - its your fault for expecting it to run a tad late so your desi ass can make it.  Instead an on-time departure just makes an ass of you as you ponder the next departure.

So net net if one can reduce the expectation quotient to nothing then the happiness quotient will inversely skyrocket.  Easier said than done of course therefore you don't see too many alive dudes reclining alongside the Buddha statues in Thailand.  They are out there meditating or begging for alms or praying or sweeping.

So to rid of your woes and not carry the woebegone look learn to expect the unexpected or nothing at all...hope I can get to that place - that is my expectation.