Comments on: Great Expectations http://segullah.org/daily-special/great-expectations/ Mormon women blogging about the peculiar and the treasured Wed, 23 May 2012 15:39:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Nick1254367 http://segullah.org/daily-special/great-expectations/#comment-168398 Nick1254367 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:05:11 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=5311#comment-168398 Hi, Great article! I completely agree, expectations play a key role regarding how happy we are. I recently thought about this too. I invite you to have a look at Role and importance of “expectations” in being happy and tell me what you think! Thanks, Nick link: http://www.spreadinghappiness.org/2009/09/the-role-and-importance-of-“expectations”-in-being-happy Hi,
Great article! I completely agree, expectations play a key role regarding how happy we are. I recently thought about this too. I invite you to have a look at Role and importance of “expectations” in being happy and tell me what you think!
Thanks, Nick

link: http://www.spreadinghappiness.org/2009/09/the-role-and-importance-of-“expectations”-in-being-happy

]]> By: Morgan http://segullah.org/daily-special/great-expectations/#comment-167671 Morgan Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:34:08 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=5311#comment-167671 Expectations can be good and bad - as some have mentioned on here, sometimes our expectations result in us being disappointed. However, never expecting anything means that you never dream about it and think of what you could do with it, and hope for it, and all that can be a big part of the fun. My husband never expects anything because, sadly, as a child he was often somewhat overlooked in the gift giving process by his mother. I hate that he never expects anything good on his birthday or Christmas, and at the same time, he never really thinks about trying to meet my expectations because he thinks that I shouldn't be expecting anything, just like him. Expectations can be good and bad – as some have mentioned on here, sometimes our expectations result in us being disappointed. However, never expecting anything means that you never dream about it and think of what you could do with it, and hope for it, and all that can be a big part of the fun. My husband never expects anything because, sadly, as a child he was often somewhat overlooked in the gift giving process by his mother. I hate that he never expects anything good on his birthday or Christmas, and at the same time, he never really thinks about trying to meet my expectations because he thinks that I shouldn’t be expecting anything, just like him.

]]> By: Rose http://segullah.org/daily-special/great-expectations/#comment-167616 Rose Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:07:02 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=5311#comment-167616 I am the one who's expectations rise up to the sky. My husband will tell me he has a surprise and I start to imagine all sorts of fabulous things. I keep telling him not to tell me if he has a surprise for me if he isn't going to give it to me then and there because the disappointment is heartbreaking for both of us.... I am the one who’s expectations rise up to the sky. My husband will tell me he has a surprise and I start to imagine all sorts of fabulous things. I keep telling him not to tell me if he has a surprise for me if he isn’t going to give it to me then and there because the disappointment is heartbreaking for both of us….

]]> By: FoxyJ http://segullah.org/daily-special/great-expectations/#comment-167574 FoxyJ Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:34:31 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=5311#comment-167574 I've been working on this as well, because by temperament I tend to be more cautious and less exuberant. But I don't want to spoil my kids' fun and one thing I've been working on as a mom is to shut my mouth and just let them enjoy themselves, even if they trash my kitchen making cookies (now that they're getting older they have to help clean it up too). My daughter is getting a Barbie house for Christmas. I've complained against Barbie and held out for six years, but then her auntie got her one for her birthday and she fell in love with it. I was tempted to get her what "I" thought was a good gift, but I'm really looking forward to seeing her open her present and get excited about it. And Michelle, I wonder if you know my aunt. She has been neighbors with one of Pres. Hinckley's daughters for years... I’ve been working on this as well, because by temperament I tend to be more cautious and less exuberant. But I don’t want to spoil my kids’ fun and one thing I’ve been working on as a mom is to shut my mouth and just let them enjoy themselves, even if they trash my kitchen making cookies (now that they’re getting older they have to help clean it up too).

My daughter is getting a Barbie house for Christmas. I’ve complained against Barbie and held out for six years, but then her auntie got her one for her birthday and she fell in love with it. I was tempted to get her what “I” thought was a good gift, but I’m really looking forward to seeing her open her present and get excited about it.

And Michelle, I wonder if you know my aunt. She has been neighbors with one of Pres. Hinckley’s daughters for years…

]]> By: justine http://segullah.org/daily-special/great-expectations/#comment-167564 justine Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:33:37 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=5311#comment-167564 What a tough balance to find! I'm either scrooge or Mrs. Shops-a-lot. It's so hard to find a happy middle ground. But honestly, I love watching my kids shop for each other. The care they take when picking out a gift makes me smile all over. And I love giving gifts. Not lavish, over-the-top gifts, but at least once in a kids life, I hope they get to open something on Christmas morning that they were just dying to get. Maybe not every Christmas, but at least once, doncha think? My girls are getting something this year that they've been asking for for 8 years. I'm over the moon excited to give it to them. It might be the only time they ever get exactly what they've been wishing for. My attitude has changed a bit about this, I think. I definitely feel myself moving more towards enjoying every single moment of my life instead of always waiting, waiting, waiting to do wonderful things until it's more convenient, less expensive, etc. Find reasons to live, love, and smile. My favorite part of Christmas is the anticipation. It's just so much fun to spend three weeks in happy suspense. And I love that my kids get so giddy. Sorry that was so long. What a tough balance to find! I’m either scrooge or Mrs. Shops-a-lot. It’s so hard to find a happy middle ground. But honestly, I love watching my kids shop for each other. The care they take when picking out a gift makes me smile all over.

And I love giving gifts. Not lavish, over-the-top gifts, but at least once in a kids life, I hope they get to open something on Christmas morning that they were just dying to get. Maybe not every Christmas, but at least once, doncha think? My girls are getting something this year that they’ve been asking for for 8 years. I’m over the moon excited to give it to them. It might be the only time they ever get exactly what they’ve been wishing for.

My attitude has changed a bit about this, I think. I definitely feel myself moving more towards enjoying every single moment of my life instead of always waiting, waiting, waiting to do wonderful things until it’s more convenient, less expensive, etc. Find reasons to live, love, and smile.

My favorite part of Christmas is the anticipation. It’s just so much fun to spend three weeks in happy suspense. And I love that my kids get so giddy.

Sorry that was so long.

]]> By: Jenny http://segullah.org/daily-special/great-expectations/#comment-167551 Jenny Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:07:28 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=5311#comment-167551 Sounds like you and your husband work as a good checks and balances system for each other. And I'm sure your kids know that somewhere in the middle is where the magic is found. And if they DO thank you for a candy cane, isn't it all worth it?! Merry Christmas!~ xo Sounds like you and your husband work as a good checks and balances system for each other. And I’m sure your kids know that somewhere in the middle is where the magic is found. And if they DO thank you for a candy cane, isn’t it all worth it?!
Merry Christmas!~
xo

]]> By: Terresa Wellborn http://segullah.org/daily-special/great-expectations/#comment-167547 Terresa Wellborn Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:44:34 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=5311#comment-167547 Less is more. My husband and I are trying again this year to help our children find the joy in small things: a stocking full of small goodies and one special toy. In addition to a table full of once-a-year sweets and gifts from generous grandparents, it is plenty. And our hearts are full. Less is more. My husband and I are trying again this year to help our children find the joy in small things: a stocking full of small goodies and one special toy. In addition to a table full of once-a-year sweets and gifts from generous grandparents, it is plenty. And our hearts are full.

]]> By: Brooke http://segullah.org/daily-special/great-expectations/#comment-167542 Brooke Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:31:00 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=5311#comment-167542 yes, in her book she and her grandkids all talk about her christmas parties and "the fish pond" where she would let the kids fish for their presents. there's even a part where president hickley is quoted as saying something like, "this is the last year we're having this party because it's too much work for your grandma." but sure enough, there was another party to come the following year. i love christmas-- but tend to grow aggravated by christmas shopping-- and i love sister hinckley. yes, in her book she and her grandkids all talk about her christmas parties and “the fish pond” where she would let the kids fish for their presents. there’s even a part where president hickley is quoted as saying something like, “this is the last year we’re having this party because it’s too much work for your grandma.” but sure enough, there was another party to come the following year.

i love christmas– but tend to grow aggravated by christmas shopping– and i love sister hinckley.

]]> By: JoLyn http://segullah.org/daily-special/great-expectations/#comment-167541 JoLyn Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:25:43 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=5311#comment-167541 Another way we've found to make the holiday magical is to make "giving" the special event. There is a spirit that comes with service that comes in no other way. Whether it's a secret Santa gift, or sharing with a family in need, or giving to a homeless shelter, giving as a family can be magical! Another way we’ve found to make the holiday magical is to make “giving” the special event. There is a spirit that comes with service that comes in no other way. Whether it’s a secret Santa gift, or sharing with a family in need, or giving to a homeless shelter, giving as a family can be magical!

]]> By: jenny http://segullah.org/daily-special/great-expectations/#comment-167536 jenny Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:26:17 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=5311#comment-167536 (Michelle, I loved hearing that about Marjorie Hinckley. Thanks!) (Michelle, I loved hearing that about Marjorie Hinckley. Thanks!)

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