What do people really mean when they say "Dont have too many expectations?"

Well as far as I remember it...I have never said it... I mean its not my natural thing to say that! But I know of a lot many people who say "Well dont expect too much" and say it way too often - even sometimes out of context... C'mon its the human nature to expect or atleast be curious of what the outcome will be for his actions/someone else's actions. And if you are an optimistic person, you are bound to have expectations. I mean what kind of person says, "well yeah I have done my bit, but I really dont expect much."

Even the most sage-like people I know have great dreams, great ambitions - they are brimming with boundless zeal and energy and am sure "Dont expect too much" is not their driving force.

So what's wrong with expecting the best, nothing but the best and fighting against mediocrity? People who expect are also people who can give, who can go that extra mile.. because they are conscious that they have expectations to live upto as well.  It doesnt scare them to try - well they'd die if they dont, because expectations keep them going, not so much the others' as much as theirs! And a person who doesnt set expectations for himself is living a lie... God save him..his life is a pity!

So next time, I am not going to let people look me down by saying "Dont expect too much"...I will just look back squarely and say - "I'm really sorry for you".

Tell me what car you drive and I will size you up

We'd recently been to Chennai and were slightly irritated when people chided us for keeping our old gadgets... They said "U still keeping this car....." "Cant believe you are still using this mobile".... Well people have a great way of sizing based on what you drive, where you holiday, what gadgets you use....Or atleast the sad network we have.

Makes me wonder if growth in life is about evolving as a person or becoming more tech and gadget savvy... Does it matter whether you have not changed/ changed for the better or that you bought a damn good MUV, but became a mean and conniving a#$%le? Just notice how people are more in awe of what you own, rather than what you have learned, of where you went rather than why you couldn't go there, of how good looking you have become rather than how you have evolved as person....

Realized we are all brand managers wherever we go - we represent something about us in the choice of our brands. People are curious to know - What brands do we flaunt, what brands do we follow and who do we meet. At reunions and vacations, at holidays and parties, people are looking out for our brands, our statement...

I was recently watching this man on this show and what he said about the brands we care for and endorse, left a very deep impact on me - He said "I earned a lot of money by the time I was 27 or so..., but was dismayed to see that had no time or people to spend it with." It inspired him to go back to his village and lead a simple, no-frills life sans washing machines, fridge, A/C ( and all the so-called necessities of a modern household). In his words, we labour our body and mind as tools to achieve these so-called necessities. And the mind and body are not instruments to achieve our pseudo status in the society.

What precious insights!!

But, people lets return and not lose focus on those who are watching our brands. So the next time you walk into a party and people give that extra attention to your brands, give them that look and say.., "Those brands have neither defined or changed me.. I am still as mean as I used to be"