10/31/15 Abandoning hope can help free you from unfairly comparing the present moment to any selfish desires. Much like worrying, how much you hope for something doesn't really change the final outcome; you're just holding onto an emotional idea despite what's going to happen. Such attachment can cause great self-inflicted suffering and disappointment if things don't go your way. If this is the case, you must remove fruitless "I wish" and "it should" statements from your anticipating mind. Replace the indulgent desperate expectation of "it might happen" with the realization that it won't. This will enable you to see your situation more clearly and act more appropriately. (At least from that point on, things can surprise you by getting better).