Even if you work for something, you won't always get it. You don't always get what you deserve. And really, how awesome is that? Think of all the horrible things you've deserved/earned that you never actually got. So yeah, work for something, but don't actually expect it. Be grateful you haven't gotten EVERYTHING you've earned.

Sometimes even when you earn something, for various and sometimes "unfair" reasons, you don't get it.

Passing through life with very loosely-held expectations is the best bet.

A lot of people responding to this in monetary terms. Are you sure that was the intent of the original poster? There are many ways to earn things ?

What about those who can't Earn it. According to you we need to adopt the practice of certain Inuit tribes: send the old and infirm people out to die. You may like that until your time comes. As far as I can see, we don't need you now, so go for a long walk into the unknown

Self-awareness is key. Good to reflect/meditate or whatever we want to call it

Our government always told us that, especially when there were no jobs.

Eh. There's more to it than that. This usually only goes for poor people.

I agree.