Who owes you everything and wishes the best for you through your life?

“Life’s so unfair.” Many feel this way during the numerous turns life takes. But life happens this way for everyone: ever-changing in myriad ways. Life threw a global lockdown at us forcing a radical change in how we live. If we attempt to go with life’s flow, its surprises can work for us. Otherwise, we fret over things we can’t control and make ourselves miserable.

There is an inbuilt sense of entitlement when we expect ‘life’ or the ‘world’ or an entity or person to dole out what we think we deserve. Entitlement is “the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment.” It is important to remember this word every time you start asking, “Why is life so unfair?” or feel like complaining. Life is not unfair. Perhaps the way you perceive it is. So what do life and the world owe you anyway? Not much.

Play the cards you are given in life instead of being fearful and never participating in the game. Or worse, playing the same cards because others are doing so. Imagine waving your cards around, declaring how unlucky how are. Others will ignore you because they are busy playing their own cards; not because they want to but because they can only play their cards. Don’t blame anyone else for not playing your game. Only you can play the cards of your life. Play a new card now and then. Especially if you are not enjoying the game everyone else is playing. Life is kind to those who try new things.

No one has the obligation to like you or respect you or make you happy or buy you new toys. When you understand this, you learn to manage your expectations. You free yourself from expecting others to do things for you because you feel you deserve it. You spend minimal energy in the past because it is a place you can never get to. You spend this moment doing the right thing because it will ensure enjoyable upcoming moments. You hardly spend time on those who play no significant part in your life. You don’t make their problems or attitude yours. You are not obliged to take part in their game if you don’t want to and vice versa.

What do you owe others? Be extra kind to others if you have experienced unkindness. Remember all the good, kind people you have met with gratitude. Be extra respectful towards intelligent, enlightened individuals you meet if you have experienced those who demanded your respect, rather than commanded it. Be extra helpful to those who ask for it if you have experienced unhelpful people. Be extra positive in your outlook if you have experienced the horror of listening to whiners who seem to have everything but keep wanting more. Be extra considerate to yourself and do things that make you look and feel good. Go with the flow of life, expecting the unexpected.

When you do this, others will give you what you want in return for what you give them. They will make you happy, because you are a positive presence in their lives. So who owes you everything? You. No one else owes you anything but you owe yourself everything. You owe yourself the very best.

Note: All images published in my posts are free, no-attribution images, from the public domain or my own.