TheExpectationsofLife（AStoryofaDreamerandaRealist）

Preface:

Hopeisadrivingforcethatkeepsusgoing.Itisanexpectationthatlifewillbringusjoyandhappiness.Inthisstory,wewillfollowthelivesoftwoindividualswithdifferentperspectivesonlife.Oneisadreamerwholooksatlifewithbrighteyes,hopingforthebest.Theotherisarealistwhoseeslifeforwhatitisandtakesitonedayatatime.

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Thedreamer'snameisLily.Shewasbornintoawealthyfamily,whereeverythingwashandedtoheronasilverplatter.Growingup,sheneverhadtoworryaboutanything.Herparentsprovidedherwitheverythingsheneeded,andmore.Lilyhadhighexpectationsforlife,andshebelievedthateverythingwouldworkoutthewayshewanteditto.

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Therealist'snameisJohn.Hegrewupinaworking-classfamily,wheremoneywasalwaystight.Helearnedfromayoungagethatlifewastoughandthatyouhadtoworkhardtomakeendsmeet.Johnhadnoexpectationsforlife.Hetookeachdayasitcame,neverlookingtoofarahead.

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LilyandJohnmetincollege.Theywerestudyingthesamecourse,buttheyhaddifferentperspectivesonlife.Lilywasalwaystalkingaboutherdreamsandambitions,whileJohnwouldlistenpatiently,noddinghishead,butneversayingmuch.

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Aftercollege,Lilygotajobatabigadvertisingfirm.Shewasexcitedtostarthercareerandclimbthecorporateladder.Herexpectationsforlifewerehigh,andshebelievedthatsuccesswouldcomeeasy.

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John,ontheotherhand,gotajobasajanitoratthesameadvertisingfirm.Heknewhewasn'tgoingtomakemuchmoney,buthewasgratefulfortheopportunitytowork.

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Yearswentby,andLilyandJohnwentonwiththeirlives.Lilyhadbecomeasuccessfulexecutiveatthefirm,butshewasnevertrulyhappy.Shehadeverythingshecouldeverwant,butshefeltunfulfilled.

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John,ontheotherhand,wascontentwithhislife.Hehadajobthatpaidthebills,andhehadalovingwifeandtwokids.Heknewthatlifewasn'tperfect,butheappreciatedwhathehad.

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Oneday,LilyandJohnmetbychance.Theyhadn'tseeneachotherinyears.LilywassurprisedtoseeJohnworkingasajanitoratthefirm.Sheaskedhimwhyhehadn'tmovedupinthecompany.

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Johnsmiledandsaid,"I'mhappywhereIam.Idon'tneedmuchtobehappy."

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LilywastakenabackbyJohn'scontentment.Sherealizedthatherexpectationsforlifehadbeentoohigh.Shehadbeenchasingsuccessandmaterialpossessions,butshehadforgottenaboutthesimplepleasuresinlife.

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LilyaskedJohnhowhemanagedtostaypositivedespitehisjobasajanitor.Johnreplied,"Ihavemyfamily,andIhavehopeforthefuture.That'sallIneed."

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Lilyrealizedthatsheneededtochangeherperspectiveonlife.Shestartedvolunteeringatahomelessshelterandhelpingoutatalocalschool.Shefoundjoyinhelpingothers,anditgaveherasenseofpurpose.

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Johncontinuedtoworkasajanitor,buthealsostartedwritingpoetryinhissparetime.Hefoundthatwritinghelpedhimexpresshisthoughtsandfeelings.

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Yearswentby,andLilyandJohnremainedfriends.Theyhadbothfoundhappinessintheirownway.Lilyhadletgoofherexpectationsforlife,andJohnhadfoundjoyinthesimplethings.

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Oneday,Johngotacallfromaneditorwhohadreadhispoetry.TheeditorofferedtopublishJohn'spoemsinabook.Johncouldn'tbelieveit.Hehadneverexpectedanythinglikethistohappen.

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LilywasthrilledforJohn.Sheknewhowmuchwritingmeanttohim.Shehadalsolearnedthatexpectationsinlifeshouldneverholdusbackfrompursuingourpassions.

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John'sbookofpoetrywasasuccess.Hestartedgettinginvitedtopoetryreadingsandbooksignings.Hewasfinallyabletosharehisthoughtsandfeelingswiththeworld.

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LilyandJohnmetuponeday,andLilyaskedJohnifhehadanyregretsinlife.Johnreplied,"No,Ihavenoregrets.Ihavelivedafulllife,andIamgratefulforeverythingIhave."

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Lilyrealizedthatshetoohadnoregrets.Shehadlearnedthatlifewasfullofsurprises,andthatweshouldneverletourexpectationsholdusback.

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ThelessonLilyandJohnlearnedwasthatlifewasnotabouthavinghighexpectations,butaboutfindingjoyinthepresentmoment.Theyfoundhappinessindifferentways,buttheybothsharedthesamekeytohappiness:hope.

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HopeiswhatkeptLilygoingwhenshefeltlost,anditiswhatkeptJohngoingwhenhewasworkingasajanitor.Hopeiswhatmakeslifeworthliving.

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LilyandJohn'sstoryremindsusthatweshouldnevergiveuphopeforthefuture,butweshouldalsoappreciatethepresentmoment.Lifeisfullofsurprises,andweneverknowwhatwillhappennext.Soletusliveourliveswithhope,andletusfindjoyinthesimplethings.