Get More Bang for Your Happiness Buck: Revel in Anticipation
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Anticipation is a key stage in happiness; by having something to look forward to, no matter what your circumstances, you bring happiness into your life well before the event actually takes place. In fact, sometimes the happiness in anticipation is greater than the happiness actually experienced in the moment - that's known as "rosy prospection." (Fortunately, today's Calendar Time did seem to meet my daughter's expectations.)
Of course, anticipation requires two things: something happy to anticipate, and the mindfulness to do the anticipating. A friend of mine made big changes in her life when, one day, she looked at her schedule for the month to come and realized that there was nothing on it to which she could look forward with pleasure.
Have you found that anticipation can boost your appreciation and enjoyment of a happy time?
Gretchen Rubin is the author of The Happiness Project.