Great Expectations

When we interact with others, we may expect things from those around us. If you love someone (family/friend/spouse), you expect to be loved in return, perhaps even more. If you have a friend, you expect to connect on a deeper level. If you help a stranger, you expect gratitude, or just to feel good about yourself. (even as I write this, I expect you to tell me that I am really clever hahaha)

All these expectation arises from attachment. When we have tasted it once, we crave it again. We think the same tree will bear the same sweet tasting fruit forever. We water the tree; clear the weeds, all in expectation of the sweet delicious fruit. One day the fruit runs out, or turns bitter or the tree dies, and we feel terrible, lost and alone. But then we see another tree, and cling onto it, and on and on and on.

Nothing lasts forever. It is highly illogical for us to expect the tree to bear fruit forever. But we still do. Whats more, this fruit only fills us on a physical level. Perhaps our senses are sated. We feed our physical hunger and enjoy the sweet taste. But deep down, we are still empty. The sensory deluge we chase is simply running away from the problem. But that is another matter in itself.
To give unconditionally, without expecting anything in return, is impossible for us lesser mortals to fully achieve. We only like the trees that give sweet fruit, shunning those that have poisonous or bitter fruit. To get there, we could actually start by giving conditionally, and then slowly extending our care and concern to the nearby trees.

Nothing lasts forever, but everything also lasts forever. In one tree, you can see the lives of all the trees before it, and of all the animals that helped propagate this plant. It all depends on whether you love the tree or the fruit it provides more.

Truth be told, I am just a klutz. Perhaps I may see the problem, but I still need someone to point me to the moon. Any takers?