Expectations and disappointments stem from the same root. External factors do not separate expectations from disappointments; rather, internal factors do. We can’t easily stop losing if we lose a little because expectations remain. Moreover, we’re not satisfied with small profits; we want more. In other words, greed is the root of both expectations and disappointments. It’s wrong to say that you’re disappointed because you expect it. Since they share the same root, expectations and disappointments only intersect depending on the situation. With a big loss, you lose patience, and with a big profit, you feel happy only then. Large gains or losses are hard to sustain, but small, everyday victories are easier to maintain because our brains are wired that way. Big negative events often result from a series of small bad outcomes, while big happiness comes from accumulating small joys. Our life is about continuously pushing forward with small but steady steps. Repeating small decisions can le...
Rice has been the staple crop of the East, while wheat has been the staple of the West. Rice requires more water to produce than wheat. Rice farmers had to contend with the availability of water, which favored collective farming. Wheat could be grown with less labor than rice. Rice farmers lived collectively, while wheat farmers lived individually. Collective agriculture led to the development of societies that were governed by village rules. On the other hand, individual agriculture led to cultures that valued personal freedom and respect for individuality over communal rules. Patterns of agriculture have indisputably influenced social structure and culture. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”