If you lived your life to everyone's elses expectations would you be happy? If you wouldn't, then why do you expect someone else to live up to yours?

Life is full of give and take, i weed out the people from my life that expect me to act or believe a certain way. I surround myself with people who accept me for who i am. Ok, my wife don't count. I do everything her way. Everyone but her.

I have never managed to live upto every one's expectations. That would be too compromising for me. I like to live my life my own way to my best satisfaction on my own terms without infringing upon anyone else's freedom. I must say I am a happy and contended man though I could not meet everyone's expectations, including those of my parents.
Also I do not expect even my sons to live upto my expections, leave alone anyone else.
My sons needed some guidance till they were in school. From college onwards, they have chosen even the subject they wanted to study all by themselves. Same with their work. I just played a supportive role.
I am happy to say my sons are happy in their own way and I am pleased to see them happy.

boy, sounds like there is more to this question...I have tried to live up to everyones expectations. It never works, people are never satisfied. On the other hand, I have learned that most people will only give you enough to keep you from squaking and will not push the envelope for themselves, because it is too much like work. I, personally, love to push the envelope and I love to make people squak. Life is an adventure, make the most out of it.... Maybe why I have very few friends. lol.

It's all about balance. I personally like pleasing people...but there is a limit. I also have expectations...where there is a limit too.

Fair enough?

You are correct. Live your own life, to hell with anyone's expectations except those necessary to your own survival. +4

No I wouldn't.
And no I don't.
.
The only people I expected to live up to my
expectations were my parents. Why? Because they
brought me into this world and were responsible to
keep me alive, healthy and prepare me for my adult
life. If You give birth to a living being or
otherwise take responsibility for Him/Her, You are
obliged to nearly stand on Your head to do
everything necessary for this child to be prepared
for independent and happy life. If someone doesn't
understand that I would say this person shouldn't
have children.
.
The only other expectations I have of people is
not to impose on my life without my invitation,
especially if there is not much reason to do so
or if the loss You would have is very small
in comparison to the loss You cause the
other person. Cause there are people out
there people there who are willing to
inconvenience You and make Your tasks much
more difficult just because it would slightly
inconvenience them. And why do I expect this?
Because it's simple kindness and being considerate,
which pays of if everyone is playing according
to the same rules. Expecting things from people
and therefore allowing others to expect the same
is the way to social progress and making life
easier in the long run for everyone.
.
And people who are profoundly hurt and annoyed
by anyone expecting anything from them I find
foolish and egoistic, when it's quite obvious
everyone (including them) would benefit from
those mutual expectations.

There is a certain level of civilized behavior we can expect from each other.

You don't mess with me or mine, I don't kill you slowly.

I've tried to live up to others expectations only to find out they wanted and expected more than I could be, so I stopped trying. As for others I just want them to be the best they can be (for themselves)...whatever that is.