Hurray For Low Expectations

We spend so much of our energy trying to plan for the perfect event...weeks spent on vacation plans, days or even weeks spent on organizing the great dinner party, birthday party or celebration. But doesn't it seem like some of the best times are the ones that come together naturally in the spur of the moment? The times where you were expecting just the every day experience and through a series of surprising twists and turns what you got instead was exceptional moments of laughter, warmth and fun?

I think most of the difference in planned and unplanned moments of joy and fun is the expectation factor. Even if two events turn out exactly the same (which is hard to imagine but just for the sake of argument), the unexpected fun will always feel more enjoyable because you did not expect it. High expectations can damper even the most amazing moments.

It's like going to see a highly rated movie. You get so excited about seeing it and the more people talk about how great the movie is, the more you expect it to blow you away. That movie now has to work so much harder to please you than if you had gone to see it without those expectations.

Of course the best times are when your expectations are really high and the reality of the moment is even better than you dreamed. Those are the few precious ones we keep with us for a life time.

But those are far and few between. For the rest, I think it's best not to expect too much from each event, that way all the good stuff is a happy surprise.