Happiness
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What are you expecting?
“There are two ways to be happy: improve your reality, or lower your expectations.” ~ Jodi Picoult Today’s quote really got me thinking. Over the past year, I’ve learned too many things that have deeply disappointed me. And while I’m usually an optimist, some of these things have made me doubt my faith in humanity and made me anxious about the future. You too? Part of the problem is that most of us are consuming more “news” than we can thoughtfully process and systematically fact-check. (Thanks, social media.) No wonder so many people fall under the dark spell of misinformation and conspiracy theories. So what does this have to do…
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Pausing for the present
“The present is the only time in which any duty can be done or any grace received.” ~C.S. Lewis If you’re a worrier like me, living in the present moment is easier said than done. When anxiety has you in its icy grip, your mind reels with the “what ifs” of an uncertain future. Put it on pause if you can. Once you commit to living in the present, you open yourself to the possibility of inner peace. Begin by paying close attention to your own environment. Redirect your energy to a small project you’ve been putting off, or take a walk outdoors. One breath, one moment at a time.…
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Your own story
“Don’t be satisfied with stories, or how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.” ~Rumi Are you easily impressed by the rich and famous? In our celebrity driven culture, you might dismiss your own life as ordinary or uninteresting. But as the Sufi poet Rumi reminds us in today’s quote, comparing yourself to others is a waste of precious time. And besides, all those curated social media photos and magazine stories rarely reveal the whole truth about the beautiful people in the spotlight. Do yourself a favor today: Appreciate how far you’ve come. Consider your own gifts and advantages. After that, list everything you’ve done to touch…
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Small treats and rituals
“One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats.” ~Iris Murdoch After dinner, my husband and I grab a mug of tea or coffee and head for our favorite chairs to watch World News Tonight with David Muir on TV. Sometimes we treat ourselves to ice cream or a chocolate truffle. It’s a ritual that our dog, Coco, happily anticipates — because we also reward her with a handful of dog biscuits if she has finished her dinner. Watching her savor each cookie never fails to bring me joy. Sometimes we set our goals impossibly high, deluding ourselves into thinking that happiness depends on huge wins, special…
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The zen of lower expectations
“There are two ways to be happy: Improve your reality or lower your expectations.” ~Jodi Picoult How often have you ordered a product online that disappointed you when it arrived? Have you ever traveled to a place that was less amazing than the promotional brochures described? Have you ever expected more than someone else was able to give? As Anne Lamott wrote, “Expectations are resentments waiting to happen.” If we’re often disappointed, it might be time to examine our expectations. Truth is, we can’t always bend reality to meet all of our wants and needs. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep reaching for the best or trying harder. But sometimes we need to…
