Don't Get Your Hopes Up

Have you heard the phrase, "don't get your hopes up"?   Have you said it to yourself or others?  I have.  My question is, does saying it really help?  Does holding your hope at bay protect you from disappointment?  Does your heart ache any less by not getting your hopes up?  Not once has it worked for me.  I still get disappointed.  My heart still aches.  The tears still come.  It doesn't work.  And while I try to hold my hope at bay, I find it difficult to dream and experience joy in the present.   It's crazy.  So I will get my hopes up and continue to dream big.......