"期待を下げなさい。これは天国ではないので、そうなると思わないでください。"

The main idea here is that you shouldn't expect everything to be perfect in this world. Life is messy, unpredictable, and full of challenges. If you go around thinking everything should be perfect, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Earth isn't meant to be a flawless paradise. It's a place where we live, learn, and grow—even amidst imperfection.

Think about the historical context for a moment. This kind of wisdom has been shared for centuries, often in religious or philosophical texts. It's a reminder to be grounded and realistic. Maybe it was first said by someone who's experienced a lot of hardship, or someone who saw others struggle with unmet expectations. It's a call for resilience, patience, and a touch of humility.

Let’s dive into a real-life example. Imagine you’ve got a job that’s not exactly your dream job. Your boss can be moody, the workload is heavy, and you're not getting the recognition you think you deserve. If you walk into the office every day expecting it to be a breeze, with everyone always in a good mood and all your work appreciated, you're setting yourself up for frustration. But if you adjust your expectations—know that some days will be tough, that not every task will be thrilling, that sometimes your boss will have a bad day too—you'll be better equipped to handle the ups and downs. You can focus on doing your best, finding small joys in your work, and learning from the experience, instead of constantly feeling let down.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in everyday life? Start by checking your expectations. Are you expecting your spouse to be perfect? Your friends to always understand you? Your work to be fulfilling every single day? If so, it might be time to dial those expectations down a notch. It's not about being pessimistic; it's about being realistic. Understand that everyone has flaws, every job has its rough patches, and every day won't be sunny. When you lower your expectations, you free yourself to appreciate the good moments without being constantly weighed down by the bad.

Here's a relatable scenario: Think about planning a family vacation. You’ve got this picture-perfect holiday in your mind—everyone's smiling, the weather’s gorgeous, and everything goes off without a hitch. But, reality check: the kids fight in the backseat, it rains for half the trip, and you lose your luggage. If you’re expecting perfection, this trip will feel like a disaster. But if you’re prepared for a few bumps along the way, you’ll laugh off the challenges, enjoy the unexpected moments, and end up with awesome stories to tell.

It’s like meeting up with an old friend at a coffee shop. You don’t need the perfect setting or the perfect conversation to enjoy their company. Sometimes, it’s the little imperfections that make the moment memorable. So next time life throws a curveball your way, remember—it’s not heaven, and that’s perfectly okay. Embrace the messiness, lower your expectations, and find joy in the journey.