The Key to Happiness

I'm privileged to participate in a professional development series at my work. The group meets monthly and we, the aspiring leaders, interview the current leaders of the company in various departments. We had a session today with someone I've observed in the company before. I've never spoken to her, but she's one of those people that has an air or heir or however you spellthatword about them. She glows. Her hair, makeup, and clothing are meticulous. It seems that her attitude follows suite. She smiles at everyone. She looks people in the eye. Like I said...she glows.

As I observed her poised, professional but feminine self speaking to us in the meeting I couldn't help but think, I bet people look at my Mom like this in meetings. She radiates too.

I asked her a question during our session today. The most memorable part of her very articulate answer was "The key to happiness is low expectations."

This struck me as so profound and thoughtful. As I often find myself expecting others to care as much, or work as hard, or [insert unrealistic expectation here] as much as me. Maybe she's on to something. Not in a negative, everyone else in the world sucks and is bound to be a disappointment way. But in the way that maybe there could be rays of sunshine hiding behind the clouds of my own unrealistic nature.

I think I like it.