"Give More, Expect Less"
By claire03
@claire03 (1443)
United States
September 7, 2007 4:06pm CST
They say if you want find true happiness in life you should give more and expect less. When we give more we get appreciated more and it will give us happiness in our hearts if we make someone happy too. Expecting less from other people means less disappointments and more contentment in life. Living simply is what we need. Do you agree that we should give more and expect less from others? What is your opinion? Have you ever done this? Do you believe that it's better to give more than receive? Do you also think we should expect less than more? i believe this is a nice perspective in life. We find contentment if we don't expect to much and giving more means a lot! :)
2 people like this
26 responses
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
7 Sep 07
Yep, I live by this. My heart skips a beat a lot of the times when I help people and see the smile on their face. It really gets to me. On the opposite side of the coin I do not expect too much out of individuals I encounter in daily life, and I'm satisfied about it.
@runsgame (2031)
• India
3 Oct 07
yes , i beleive in your statements and totally agree too. always we should follow the principle give more and expect less. there is a proverb also in india . it is meant like this . respect will be given to you ansd but you should not expect the same . the inner meaning of this is of yours
@kishusia (1066)
• India
3 Oct 07
Why quantify 'giving' by using words 'more' and 'less'? I will say - Give but don't expect. Expectation is the root of all problems. If peoples' expectations are not fulfilled they become angry. Anger gives rise to tension. Tension creates conflict. It may even turn into violence. There is a saying, neki kar aur bhool ja.
@afternoontea (1005)
• Indonesia
3 Oct 07
I believe that is true too..
Before I've always wanted more and more, but now I realize that it will never finished. So instead I am now more thankfull to what I have and what I get and thankfull for the joy that comes to my heart whenever I give something from my heart and expect nothing in return. This could be something small, like smiling.. That is the start..
@ailema4ever (2668)
• Finland
3 Oct 07
Yes, I agree that it's a very good and effective perspective in life. However, I find that hard to do: the expecting less part, especially when I'm dealing with my loved ones (family, friends, spouse). I tend to expect more from them 'coz I deem them important, but that's a wrong approach in life 'coz no matter what, people will ALWAYS disappoint one another every once in a while 'coz they're not perfect. I'm still learning to expect less and less from my loved ones.
@charine (34)
• China
3 Oct 07
Give more,expect less.May it be wise to follow it.Sometimes,life is just to make yourself and peolpe around you happy.We are apt to be hurt as human being,we need others' care,for this,we may do something badly to hurt the one loving us.Finally,we may be hurt by each other,and exhausted.We no longer dare to give our love to someone.However,when we learn to give without any expectation,we maybe happier.So give more,expect less.
@angela2006 (1845)
• China
8 Sep 07
yes,I think so .give people more than they expect,then they will get happiness and thus we will feel pleased too.give more but expect less,thus there is less appointment in our life.
@Rickrocks8 (1751)
• United States
2 Oct 07
I think for me it is more about being happy with what I do have and not dwelling on what I do not have.
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
3 Oct 07
hi claire. I'm a person who simply gives more. I don't know why but I've been this way ever since I was a kid. It makes me happy to see that I've made someone happy with whatever I've done for them.
My mother actually calls me, "tina, the surprise girl". I love giving surprises. Even if sometimes the surprise fails to meet its purpose!
I don't expect much from others because like what you've said, it will mean less disappointments. But it does feel good to be appreciated.
@thefortunes (2367)
• Netherlands
9 Sep 07
Hi Claire03, and yes, I totally agree with the statement and am trying to live this way too. And while being truthfull I can say that I LOVE GIVING way more than I like to be on the receiving end. Been like this since I can remember. To expect less is actually not for everyone. The smart people are visualizing what they wish to be receiving, and let it go. Giving more is definitely the right choice and attitude in life.
@gradyslady (4054)
• United States
25 Sep 07
I like helping people even if they don't say thank you or do anything to show appreciation.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
8 Sep 07
yes, i completely agree with the phrase... and it is true... i experience it... i try to give more and expect less from people and i am really happy... i feel contented as well as i don't have anything to expect from other people...
@muralimullapudi (157)
• India
8 Sep 07
Very rightly said: We must always have the upper hand. When someone gives his hand is up and the receiving hand is down! It is a boon to have your hand at the upper side always. The satisfaction you get is much much more than when you receive! The happiness is not explainable when you see the smile on the people who have received from you. It gives you a kind of inner peace & calmness!
@andrejuly84 (1047)
• Romania
8 Sep 07
i agree with this and trying to respect this issue but is so hard.i feel fine when i give something to someone that really needs it.i guess this matches also when talking about love .you would be happy when you give more love and you expect less from the partner and maybe finally you get more than you expected.it's a true way to get your soul's happiness.we should be more generous and more good
@Dan_ul (858)
• Romania
8 Sep 07
I agree in all that you are saying... it's the way everybody should think... but you see, we a all humans... and along with the give part sometimes comes also the obligations... I mean people sometimes feel obligated when they receive something... and that is the part that sucks;)...
when you give something... you should give because you like to do so... and you are right, we should expect less... but the "less" should come with some kind of respect from the one that receive to the one that gives...:)
@khazeemee (288)
• Philippines
8 Sep 07
i truly believe with this attitude, i kinda practicing this right now, because it feels so much better when you were the answered prayer to others, if you can give as much as you can that is good, always help in good faith . . you might not gain anything in return but at least you've shared what God has given to you..
