Expectation vs Hope

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The words expectation and hope are separated with a very fine line. Expectations are driven by mental logic and there are particular areas of our life where we should be filled with expectations. Examples: I expect that I should be paid each month for the work I do. Managers expect that their employees should work effectively and deliver in time. On the contrary, hope is something that is a wish, a dream sometimes you work for it sometimes you don’t—but you don’t expect to happen. That way there are fewer disappointments and more pleasant surprises.

In my latest follow-up through Dad’s personal battle, my sister reported good news yesterday. Weeks before, the doctors advised my father to try putting his left foot’s weight on the scale, for us to know how much pressure he can put forward.

Based on the doctors’ medical findings, the cells and tissues in his legs and feet are growing and rebuilding back to normal. But maybe Dad was afraid in clinging to the prospect that he’d be successful in his first attempt in seeing how heavily he can stand his foot on the ground. So this effort of going to the weighing scale had been delayed to almost a month, with his excuses every time.

We’re not sure how Mom forced him to but at last he tried to weigh and stand his foot on the scale. It read 60+ lbs. We’re happy to hear that; he’s regaining his strength and capability to stand and walk again.

It’s succinct to say, henceforth, that if we hope without expecting, things would stop hurting us and we’ll be smiling like always. We’d believe that every area of trouble gives out a ray of hope; and the one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is certain or unchangeable. When you put faith, hope and love together you can live positively in a negative world. So it’s a good thing to keep our hopes high and expectations low.

I am now reading a book entitled Be Positive: If It’s Not Your Blood Type Your Life Will Change by Rich Wood. The pages and story are relevant to what my dad has been experiencing. It’s a good read, a recommendable one.

In the first few chapters, Rich talks about how he overcame serious injuries and healed himself by concentrating on the affected body parts caused by his accidents. The book takes readers on a wonderful journey of discovery and self enlightenment, whereby we can reclaim our personal power and potential just by thinking that we really can change the world, starting with ourselves, through and with positivity. I’ll ask my sister later to buy this book for Dad. Maybe you want to get your own copy, too.

Love and light,
Roch ♥

Comments

34 responses to “Expectation vs Hope”

April 10, 2013

Franc Ramon

I think expectation is a much stronger word. It connotes a drive or a goal while hope is more of positive thinking.

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1. April 11, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Yup, expectation is not denoting any positive or negative notion, while hope is somewhat believing or desiring an outcome already. The latter allows us to think in a bigger scope than what we might normally be accustomed to.
  
  Reply
April 10, 2013

joy

I agree with you! It is sometimes better to hope than to expect so that when there is failure or disappoint, it wouldn’t hurt as much. Great to hear your dad is getting better 🙂 Let’s all hope he’d see the day when he can walk again with confidence 🙂

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1. April 11, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Thank you very much for wishing my dad well. Actually he can now walk even without the use of cane or any support system but slowly. 😀
  
  Reply
April 10, 2013

Pao Tolentino

Glad to hear your dad is getting better. I think the word “hope” gives people more reasons not to give up. We can’t be 100% sure on everything. Sometimes, we can only reinforce it through positive thinking. 🙂

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1. April 11, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Yes, positive thinking is what motivates us to achieving a healthier, fitter and more fulfilling life. 🙂
  
  Reply
April 10, 2013

lily

I’m glad that your dad is doing well. Continued support from family members would go a long way to help him get back on track.

It’s true that expectation hurts. So, to hope sounds better. 🙂

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1. April 11, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Thanks for the concern, Lily! We are supporting him and he is also helping himself so he’s got lots of improvement in two years now.
  
  Reply
April 10, 2013

papaleng

Good to hear that your dad is on the road to recovery. Expectation deals with human desires while hope is letting god do His will.

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1. April 11, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  That’s a good point, Papa Leng! Thanks. 😀
  
  Reply
April 10, 2013

Arjay Reyes

Continue supporting your dad because in every expectation, there is hope.

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1. April 11, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  He always tells us to not expect that he can walk as normal like nothing happened. So I guess expectations can be good if they are not too much – the kind where a minimal result is good enough.
  
  Reply
April 10, 2013

Gigi Beleno

I hope that your dad will soon be fully alright. We may not expect that it will come sooner as we want it to be, but patience has become more of a virtue. Cheers!

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1. April 11, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  True. The less we embrace expectations closer, the more we keep our hopes around, and the easier it will be overall for us to navigate life’s vicissitudes.
  
  Reply
April 10, 2013

Khakiness

Hmmm, this made me evaluate myself. I’ve been acting cranky lately and it’s because of my high expectations on certain people. I was reflecting on your article and realized that I’ve been stressing so much about petty things. I guess I should learn not to demand my expectations. Or, not expect much at all.

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1. April 11, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Yeah but you can still have hope. Hope implies a certain amount of perseverance like believing that a positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary.
  
  Reply
April 11, 2013

Teresa Martinez

“Hope for the best, and expect the worst”, so goes the popular quotation. It encourages us to hope while being accepting of the realities of our situation.

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1. April 11, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Contrasted to despair, hope as an emotion produces a motivation to act and results to faith which can be therapeutic. 😀
  
  Reply
April 11, 2013

Yamito Uytingco Calamba

They say there’s always a light at the end of every tunnel. But if you don’t see one, then use your own light to get by. 🙂 I’m happy that you’re all together as a family fighting and giving your dad that strength to get this through and that he’s getting a good recovery. May God always guide him and i wish him well.

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1. April 11, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Thanks, Yamito. I always believe in that saying that there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel but I’ve also heard someone say something incredible: Why not create the light yourself instead of waiting to reach the end? 🙂
  
  Reply
April 11, 2013

maritel

There is a saying, Blessed are those who expect nothing and they shall not be disappointed and then theres also, While there’s life there is hope. So yes, keep your hopes high and expectations low. God bless your Dad.

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1. April 11, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Hello, Maritel. Finally you made it here! Haha. Thanks for dropping by many times and thanks for your insights. 😀
  
  Reply
April 11, 2013

Kim Nieves (@iamkimnieves)

I’m happy to hear that your dad is recovering quickly. Hope for the best! “Law of Attraction.” 🙂

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1. April 11, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Thanks, Kim! 😀 Yup, that works!
  
  Reply
April 11, 2013

Mommy Pehpot

I hope your dad will be healed in no time..

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1. June 25, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Now he’s almost healed. He can drive and walk without help (when on a smooth ground). Thank God. 😀
  
  Reply
April 11, 2013

Sarah

Your blog reminds me of my Tatay. I’m not expecting my father will recover from his diabetes and high blood pressure but for the sake of his family, hope he will fight to extend more his life and spend quality time with us.

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1. April 12, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Aww that’s right. Family drives life.
  
  Reply
April 12, 2013

Jem Alvarado (@esupermommy)

It is hard to believe in your expectation but with hope I think it has more chances. Reading a good book may give us good spirit, encouragement and positivity.

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1. April 12, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Agree. When I’m down, reading books especially self-help, religious and inspirational ones truly uplift my mood.
  
  Reply
April 12, 2013

Olivia Fernandez

this is an enlightening post.I often confuse expectation from hope.

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1. June 25, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  I’m glad this article has clarified the difference for you.
  
  Reply
April 14, 2013

Badet

Expectation and hope are two different things. Glad your dad is getting better.

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1. April 14, 2013
  
  Rochkirstin Santos
  
  Yup, thanks, Badet. 🙂
  
  Reply