I’m sitting in the gazebo at the bottom of our garden. I have a glass of cold wine to hand and am feeling calm and relaxed. We’ve had warm, sunny weather over the last couple of days and my mood has lifted significantly. I’ve also had a few good night sleeps! I feel as if I’ve been on holiday!
So how can I replicate this every day? A while ago I saw a ‘happiness’ formula created by scientists. Not being in the least ‘scientific’ it meant nothing to me. Translated into laymen’s terms apparently the key to happiness is being an optimist and not raising your expectations too high! Well, my expectations have been set extremely low and have been for a number of years! And I know my limitations! But my glass, alas, is always half empty!
Being such a pessimist or, as I would prefer, a realistic, maybe it’s time to step out of my carefully constructed box. It has been perfected over many years and become an integral part of who I am. Perhaps I need to give this theory a fair crack of the whip. If I can change my way of thinking to be more positive and still limit my expectations, perhaps this would help? Maybe the secret to happiness is as the scientists have described and their formula correct?
Surely no one can stay happy all the time? I often quote my mother’s mantra ‘nothing lasts forever, not the good or the bad’! She used to often add, ‘so enjoy those good times because they won’t last’! My mother was the eternal optimist so I’m not going to read any negatives into her statement! If life was throwing up curve balls she would say that even the hard times will pass so covered all options!
I need to go inside and start the evening meal. I’ll finish my wine, enjoying the last few mouthfuls, look out across the garden and revel in the beauty of nature at its best! I’ll hold this thought! Unfortunately tomorrow low pressure is back in charge and so is the rain! To optimistically set my expectations I’ll have to think of something else to give me a happy buzz!
Well, for once that is easy! I’m seeing my daughter this weekend! Her partner is bringing his lovely daughter! The weather forecast is good! I’ll have company in the gazebo. There is going to be lots of laughter and much frivolity. Everyone will get on really well and the weather will remain good. I’m not sure how to lower my expectations but remain optimistic! They seem to be interlinked. Perhaps that’s the challenge! But, if your expectations are lower it is easier to be optimistic! I’ll minimise the laughter and just remain hopeful that the weather will hold! I’ll give it a try! I have nothing to lose! 👠
Jenny Burrell 