dziga's blog post - Paradox of better living...

Really started when I heard this older guy who I respect greatly talk about going into his bank and his teller asked him, "Why are you always so happy?" His response was, "I guess I learned to lower my expectations."

How to wrest satisfaction and happiness from this life by managing well? That seems to be the question many of us approach finding happiness. Well, at least the not so well adjusted among us.

A false lead. What is needed for satisfaction and happiness always seems to increase the closer we get to it. Somehow, the goals for satisfaction and happiness seems to become relative rather than objective, usually based upon "I need a little bit more than I think I need" and the more one gets, the more one thinks they need. An ever increasing spiral. I've seen the exact same thing in rich people as in poor people. Seen the exact same thing with guys who have great jobs and poor jobs. Seen the exact same thing with guys who are constantly with women and guys who are never with women.

Enjoyment of what is instead of dreams about what isn't leads to happiness. Truly, anyone sitting in front of a computer reading this is spoiled silly judging from the current state of the majority of people in the world and the historical "wealth" of humanity. Yet so much time, trust me, I am very much guilty of this despite my philosophical goal, is spent looking at what could be.

I think one of the reasons that major life moments are so powerful for us is because it brings us squarely back to what is, to the present, enabling us to see how beautiful and powerful the simple things we have in life are.

Lowering expectations allows me to celebrate what my mind usually considers to be flawed things around me and enjoy them instead of wishing they were something else. Leads to lots of peace!