To Expect or Not Expect

Is it better to expect everything and maybe be disappointed or to expect nothing and maybe be pleasantly surprised?

This is a question I ponder sometimes, particularly after reading quotes that go something like "Do everything with a good heart and expect nothing in return and you will never be disappointed".

The most effective mindset to have has been a bit of a debate over the years. It is similar to the glass half empty or full debate, but a bit more complex if you ask me.

People apply it to their love lives:

Negative Nancy...

Maybe if I completely forgot that boys even existed and had no expectations whatsoever then I would meet someone. Wait, isn't having no expectations an expectation? Man, now I only wish I had no expectations despite the fact that I secretly do. And now I won't be pleasantly surprised because in not expecting and wishing I am expecting. This is too complex to handle. Maybe I will have expectations after all.

On the other hand...Positive Patty...

I expect to meet a handsome, witty and hard working fellow today, but, blimey, there seem to be none in sight. Whatever shall I do? Oh wait, he looks promising. Maybe he'll talk to me. He's walking over and my expectations are touching the sky. Oh. Oh no. Wait a second, dude! Don't just walk passed me. Disappointed. I am feeling full of heart-ache and disillusioned optimism. Perhaps I shouldn't have expectations after all.

And the cycle goes on and on for single folks that are looking for someone. Now, if I was any sort of good Christian blogger I would tell ya'll that you'll find someone when you stop looking, but I'm not gonna say that because I think that's a myth. I mean, what if I were constantly looking? Would that just mean that I remained single forever? 

Anyways, I have yet to discover which mindset I want to nurture. I don't want to never expect anything because that looks like a bleak and hopeless future to me, but I don't want to be disillusioned in my optimism either. And placing myself solidly in between the two sounds so reasonable that it just might be boring.

Are we in a pickle or what?

What do ya'll think? I'm finding myself in the midst of the two with a slight lean towards optimism.