Appreciate the Unexpected

Appreciate the Unexpected

Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. - the movie Forrest Gump

We humans feel an instinctive need to know what is coming next - what we can count upon. While this is especially true when we are expecting something great, the tendency to want predictability is universal. If we are expecting our spouse to arrive home from the grocery store with a pound of hamburger and they show up with a steak, we may not be pleased with the special treat, but rather set off balance and therefore mildly upset by the surprise.

Consider that one of the dictionary meanings of the word "expect" is "demand." The path to happiness is to avoid making demands upon the world, and especially to avoid making demands upon the future.

Life is never predictable, and that is great with me. Boredom is not my preference. I really like the analogy of life to a box of chocolates because it reminds me that what I actually get is likely to be as sweet or sweeter than what I "expected," just different.

Today's affirmation...
I cherish the uncertainty of life's adventures. - jlh

*** Today's inspiring book from my affiliate Simple Truths is Dreams are Whispers From the Soul with FREE DVD. You can watch the beautiful DVD movie for free before you decide to purchase the book with DVD.

Further reading: Helen Keller: Life is either a daring adventure or nothing

I have no need to conform to the stereotypes others have defined for me. - jlh

Intention versus Expectation (Demand)

Intention versus Expectation (Demand)

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
- Reinhold Niebuhr

There is an important distinction between the intentions we hold for our inspired future, and the demands (expectations) we tend to place on ordinary life.

We need to create a balance between accepting what life hands us, and working diligently to create the best life we can. We shouldn't want to live life as "a log floating down the river," but we can't be happy if we always fight against the currents of life either.

My own guideline for balancing action with acceptance, is that in living today and in designing my future, I choose action. I approach life from the point of view that there is nothing that I can't accomplish. However, with regard to the past, I believe that graceful unconditional acceptance is the only path to happiness. As William Shakespeare says, "What's done is done."

I believe that the Serenity Prayer says the same thing, but I place particular emphasis on the point that everything in the past falls into the category of things we can only accept.

My article The Paradox Of Living In The Moment - How To Be Happy Today And Prepare For Tomorrow attempts to address the paradox of taking charge of our future while accepting our past.

Play to win, but be a good loser.
Have a plan for your life,
but accept whatever comes your way with grace and gratitude.
- jlh

Light and Joy...
Jonathan

Further reading: The Serenity Prayer - God grant me the serenity...

don Miguel Ruiz: Always do your best

Vince Lombardi quote: Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is

Today is the bridge between acceptance and faith

Question every assumption and expectation. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Question every assumption and expectation.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

The more you expect, the more you get disappointed in life.
- Anonymous

Be clear that expectations are demands. Demanding that life turn out the way we prefer is a sure path to disappointment and suffering. Happiness lies in having no expectations, and accepting life as it comes.

I need your help designing the future of Daily Inspiration. If you are willing, please read these questions and then leave your thoughts as comments on the blog post. If you prefer, email me your thoughts privately at jlh@sail7.com Thank you very much.

Further reading: Life will not meet your expectations - choose joy anyway - jlh

Anais Nin: We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are.

"Life is not supposed to be fair." - jlh

Monastery Housekeeping

Ralph Waldo Emerson: Nothing can bring you peace but yourself

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Joy is a Choice - but Not an Easy Choice

Of course you want to be happy, but life is hard. Your job's a pain, your family nags, and sometimes your body hurts, so how can a Joyful Life be a choice? It isn't an easy choice, but Joy IS a choice that you can make.

Some choices are easy, because clearly defined alternatives are available. Choosing between vanilla and chocolate ice cream is such a choice. Other choices sometimes don't even appear to be choices. If I live in Detroit, but I would prefer to live in Florida, I may not feel that I can choose to relocate. In reality, I always have a choice about where I live. I have my story about how my job, my house, my family, and my friends prevent me from moving, but it is truly only a story.

The greatest obstacle to a Joyful Life is your "story" about your life. Your story is filled with needs and obligations. You are sure that you "need" at least a certain income to live - and you likely feel that you "need" more money than you have. You "need" a "good" job. You "need" a big house. You feel obligated to do whatever your boss and your spouse ask of you. Perhaps you also feel obligated to serve your parents, children, friends, church, and more. STOP!

There is nothing I ever need to have.
There is nothing I ever need to do.
I say NO to the demands of the world.
I say YES to the longings of my own heart. - jlh

The secret to a joyful life is Simplicity - saying NO to the advertisements for the latest this and the most glamorous that - saying NO to chasing that next job promotion - saying NO to all the stressful demands upon your time and energy.

It's YOUR time - it's YOUR life - YOU get to choose how you use it. There is no way that your life is "supposed" to be. Your parents had their vision for your life. Your boss, your spouse, your church, your friends, and even the family next door have their ideas of how you should live your life. What about YOUR vision for your life? What do YOU want? YES, it matters what you want. YES you can have what you want.

CHOOSE the life you want, and CHOOSE to live Joyfully.

Stand up for what you want

Say NO to the demands of the world. Say YES to the longings of your own heart. - jlh Some days you have to stand up for what you want. Just take matters into your own hands (or legs) and make your own choices. You can never really please anyone else, so make decisions that bring you joy.

a quote from LIVE BOLDLY begin each day as if it were on purpose. - mary anne radmacher

We are responsible for the consequences of our choices

Say NO to the demands of the world. Say YES to the longings of your own heart.
- jonathan lockwood huie

We are responsible for the consequences of our choices. When we choose for others rather than for ourselves, we suffer. Make all your choices from the longing of your own heart.

A quote from LIVE BOLDLY
celebration wears a lot of different outfits but always wears the same old, beautiful dancing shoes.
- mary anne radmacher