Is Expecting less of self or life the key to happiness?
A Doctor Explains His Prescription for Happiness
In the article the women's age or generation was not revealed. If she was a Millennial, that would be understandable. They have been taught that they are great with no evidence what so ever that they possess any greatness...whether they actually won or failed at anything was a moot point in their upbringing...they were doomed to be disappointed.
However, what about everyone else...are normal Americans just geared to expect more of themselves?;...and to what extent do we expect more of our selves? By who's definition?..this might be a key aspect as well.
I think it all comes down to knowing your strengths, what your good at, your essence and what activity causes you to be happy. One's "Friday Night Essence" so to speak. (what activity do you have to be dragged away from in order to engage in your favorite activity on a Friday night.)
Many of us, eventually figure this out but millennial's were blindsided from the start. They were never allowed to just observe, enjoy or engage the world on their own when young either.
But, perhaps the prescription is correct in the sense that one should not just sit on one's collective butt and worry, obsess or indulge in self pity.
Looking on the bright side and appreciating the little things, nature and doing or trying something new is always a good thing.
[Now, if we were talking about government...expecting less of a government charged with doing very little in the first place, would make me...ecstatic! However, with a government that has assumed to do more than what it is charged with doing and epically failing every time...one has no choice but to expect less until we fill it with people that expect more from themselves...and can deliver!]
In the article the women's age or generation was not revealed. If she was a Millennial, that would be understandable. They have been taught that they are great with no evidence what so ever that they possess any greatness...whether they actually won or failed at anything was a moot point in their upbringing...they were doomed to be disappointed.
However, what about everyone else...are normal Americans just geared to expect more of themselves?;...and to what extent do we expect more of our selves? By who's definition?..this might be a key aspect as well.
I think it all comes down to knowing your strengths, what your good at, your essence and what activity causes you to be happy. One's "Friday Night Essence" so to speak. (what activity do you have to be dragged away from in order to engage in your favorite activity on a Friday night.)
Many of us, eventually figure this out but millennial's were blindsided from the start. They were never allowed to just observe, enjoy or engage the world on their own when young either.
But, perhaps the prescription is correct in the sense that one should not just sit on one's collective butt and worry, obsess or indulge in self pity.
Looking on the bright side and appreciating the little things, nature and doing or trying something new is always a good thing.
[Now, if we were talking about government...expecting less of a government charged with doing very little in the first place, would make me...ecstatic! However, with a government that has assumed to do more than what it is charged with doing and epically failing every time...one has no choice but to expect less until we fill it with people that expect more from themselves...and can deliver!]
Previous comments... You are currently on page 2.
Might we finally go the way of the nation and defeat the leftist's hold on my state. Hopefully the cities won't ruin this moment in time.
I've noticed some of those "Highlights" in your paintings...they say much in your favor.
To me it is a stroke to highlight on the canvas of life .It helps complete the masterpiece of a life well lived. Thanks for your story:)
Lately I have been explaining to people why biblical worship or just plain appreciation is so important for the one that creates value...it allows one that created the value to reflect upon it's creation. (it's a private thing, not worn on one's sleeve).
I use an example I remember from my past:
Imagine your next door neighbor has a beautiful flower bed in front of their house. They spend a lot of enjoyable time taking care of it. People walking by the house always comment positively on her flowers.
One night, some young hoodlums destroy it for kicks. The next morning, she is devastated and loses all interest in her beloved hobby.
Observing this, you decide to secretly replace the damaged flowers during the night as best you can. (she would never accept your generosity if she knew). The next morning, the lady comes out to get her paper and can't believe her own eyes...the flowers grew back!?, it was all a bad dream? or some unknown miracle happened?...she runs around jumping for joy, tears of happiness fall from her eyes. Every passer by gets a joyful earful as she tells the story...mean while, you silently watch this from your front porch, you feel happy for her and glad you took up the cause. You reflect, in real time, the consequences of the value you created. It is profound and so touching that it doesn't matter if anyone knows it was you that replaced the flowers...her appreciation is more than enough reward for your actions.
She just wanted to be something for the sake of being that thing. Her idea of success did not align with her natural abilities.
That is what discovering one's Friday Night Essence was all about and likely it is the last thing one expects or thinks they want.
Mine was writing...never would of guessed. Fortunately for me, I had many essences and interests but all and all, learning, researching and writing makes me the happiest.
Good post +1. High Expectations for your self is what we all should strive for. Those expectations of happiness ,satisfaction and pride are the rewards for planning and executing a well reasoned course of action to achieve a need or goal.
High expectations of behavior from others is a potential disappointment with unhappy feelings.
1. Learn the skills and drive on or
2. Develop self discipline and get the determination to get the skills and drive on toward what you want.
You can always improve yourself unless you are in some way physically prevented from improving (injury, illness etc)
So in a sense, they are interdependent.
Expect less is a really stupid concept.
Expecting less of self is a road to hell (in my opinion).
Whatever joy there is, it will primarily be you putting it there; or you noticing and enjoying it.