Expectation vs Appreciation

Amir ul Mu'mineen Imam Ali AS said: "Even though miserliness, cowardice and greed are different qualities, yet they are common in having an incorrect idea about Allah."

Al-Furqan (The Criterion) 25:63

وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا

For, [true] servants of the Most Gracious are [only] they who walk gently on earth, and who, whenever the foolish address them, reply with [words of] peace;

Al-Insan (Man) 76:9

إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَاء وَلَا شُكُورًا

[saying, in their hearts,] "We feed you for the sake of God alone: we desire no recompense from you, nor thanks:

Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:264

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تُبْطِلُواْ صَدَقَاتِكُم بِالْمَنِّ وَالأذَى كَالَّذِي يُنفِقُ مَالَهُ رِئَاء النَّاسِ وَلاَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌ فَأَصَابَهُ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَكَهُ صَلْدًا لاَّ يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى شَيْءٍ مِّمَّا كَسَبُواْ وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ

O believers! Do not waste your charity with reminders ˹of your generosity˺ or hurtful words, like those who donate their wealth just to show off and do not believe in Allah or the Last Day. Their example is that of a hard barren rock covered with a thin layer of soil hit by a strong rain; leaving it just a bare stone. Such people are unable to preserve the reward of their charity. Allah does not guide ˹such˺ disbelieving people.

 

Muhammad 47:33

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَلَا تُبْطِلُوا أَعْمَالَكُمْ

O you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and do not nullify your deeds.

Ya-Sin (Ya-Sin) 36:30

يَا حَسْرَةً عَلَى الْعِبَادِ مَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِؤُون

Alas (regret) for My servants! Never does a Messenger come to them but they mock him.

Ta-Ha 20:55 [Imam Ali AS recited when he was stuck with poisoned sword of Ibn e Muljam]

مِنْهَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ وَفِيهَا نُعِيدُكُمْ وَمِنْهَا نُخْرِجُكُمْ تَارَةً أُخْرَى

out of this [earth] have We created you, and into it shall We return you, and out of it shall We bring you forth once again.

Don’t Respond to Barking Dogs; How to Stop Nuisance Dog Barking

Many dogs will bark to get your attention, ask for food, or to tell you to open the door or let them out of the crate. Don’t respond. Wait until your dog is quiet to give them what they want. And be sure to recognize the behavior you want i.e. provide positive reinforcement to your dog when he’s lying down quietly.

If you believe your dog is barking to get your attention, ignore them for as long as it takes for them to stop. Don't talk to them, don't touch them, don't even look at them; your attention, even just asking them to stop, only rewards them for being noisy.

I’m not going to give up my happiness over little stuff. I’m not going to be obsessed about things I can’t control. I’m going to focus on what I can control and what I can do.

Change your expectation for appreciation and the world changes instantly.

Trade your expectation for appreciation and see your entire world change. Tony Robbins

Replace Your Expectations With Appreciation For A Better 2022

Appreciate more. Instead of setting expectations that might not be met, focus on appreciation. What do you have now that you didn't before? What do you value that you once took for granted?

Let's learn giving ourselves an expectation break and appreciating the wonders around us.