If one has to be honest with himself or herself, he or she should accept that ‘life without any expectations’ is just like consuming food without salt or spice.

These expectations start from the stage of childhood itself. It laughs when it feels happy, and cries when it feels pain or wants food or something. As it grows up, the expectations move from chocolates to something more expensive or important. A boy or a girl in their teens wants a good dress, education, a vehicle, or, in the present-day conditions, a mobile phone, an expensive, branded, modern dress, and money to spend on education or entertainment.

On finishing education, he/she wants a good job, handsome pay, and a wonderful married life; though most of the youth of today prefer to have children, some stand out as they consider their career more important than kids. Well, they, too, have expectations apart from several material comforts.

Those with children want their kids to be all-rounders and exemplary. In several cases, it works, but not in all. Well, anyway, once they settle down, life becomes their ‘own’ business and not that of the parents.

As one ages alone, the problem arises. Even after achieving all these in life, we find many (earlier it was some!) restless and unhappy. As one could understand, a decade or more gap cannot coexist that easily as a family in many cases. The lifestyle, preferences, and priorities change.

The elders are invariably left behind. This happens not only to a family man or woman. Even to those who remain single. The affluence of several sections of people today makes them live in luxury and some languish in misery. The reason is simple. There are no expectations, and if there is no way to satisfy them.

Where does that leave the aged or even middle-aged?

Frustration. It is there among the haves as well as among the have-nots. When there is no way to find satisfaction in anything or find enough, the mind demands more.

More of what?

That is the big question.

I find many happy parents and children around them or away, but still, the once busy life with expectations turns into ennui.

Reading, traveling, singing, listening, chatting with others, forwarding messages by being a member of several groups……

Do all these satisfy or drive away the boredom? No. It won’t and it can’t.

Because there are no tangible expectations. While expectations motivate one, the absence of them leads to boredom.

It is truth or reality, but a bitter one without salt and spice.