Expectation

Expectation is the cause of all our sorrows.
— Bhagwad Gita

Is it possible to live a life without expecting anything from externals? An ailing fathers expectation that his son will visit him this Christmas. Mothers hope to see her daughter’s wedding soon.

Why do we let our happiness in hands of another? Why can’t we let things guide on its nature? Why do we have to live a life with expectation and when things fail to go our way, we end up in pain?

Man is a rational Animal.
— Aristotle

I am not sure if humans are rational. Aristotle meant philosophers are rational animals.