To Pursue Happiness, You Must Expect To Be Happy

Expectation is a big word, and carries with it some risk. It is anticipation of the future, which can conflict with the idea that living in the moment is a key to happiness. Plus, when you expect something, it is easy to be disappointed; yet expectation need not conflict with living in the moment, or with the Law of Acceptance. Here is what I mean by this …

Look for the good; in things, situations, and people.

Now, I’m about to quote myself which all writers are taught to never do, but in my previous post on happiness, titled “12 Things Happy People Do,” a list of 12 practical steps to find happiness on a daily basis, two of my favorites steps are:

• Practice optimism – because thinking positively allows you to see the world as a place of potential, even in difficult times.
• Enjoy the joy – of daily living. With all its obstacles and problems, the alternative to life may be a very dark place. Allow yourself to be happy in every moment.

Why are these two of my favorite daily practices for living a happy life? Because being optimistic and looking for the joy in living – on a daily basis – leads naturally to an expectation of happiness and, when you expect to discover happiness every day, you are much more likely to find it.

“Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.” – Thomas Jefferson

Think of your daily pursuit of happiness as one of those scavenger hunts you enjoyed when you were a child. If you hadn’t had a list of things to seek you would never have found anything you needed to win the game, right? With every house you approached, with every doorbell you rang at the homes of your neighbors, you expected to find at least one thing on your list, didn’t you? In fact, with certain neighbor’s homes, you expected a great deal from them, while with others you expected less; because you knew some of your neighbors kept everything, while others threw away everything else. Yet, you still expected something from nearly every house you approached. That is just how kids are, right?

Children are, by nature, optimistic and filled with joy. They expect the best from every situation, and from everything they discover. They look for the good in everyone – and expect to find it. It is this that I wish for you to rediscover by using these two simple steps toward finding happiness, the everyday expectation of joy and happiness that you knew as a child. What could possibly be more fun than living life as if it were a scavenger hunt, with the expectation of finding happiness and joy around every corner?

When you expect to be happy; when you actually, actively pursue happiness; that is the only time you will find it.

If you are struggling with your own journey of happiness, and would like help finding or staying on the road you would like to follow, get in touch with me today.

To Pursue #Happiness, You Must Expect to be #Happy bit.ly/TUlxKY #selfimprovement #stress #wellness #health #anxiety #depression

— Cheryl Hitchcock (@cherylhitchcock) January 30, 2013