Anticipation and hope are alive and well. Each time I am in the kitchen moving food around, our two dogs come running in anticipation that I might drop something or better yet, intentionally stoop to provide a tasty morsel.
Looking forward to things to come helps endure the tough patches of life along the way. Remember the build up to your last vacation? The anticipation of this change of scenery and pace allowed you to say no to the office donuts to maintain the beach body or to go out to the bar with the guys because you were saving the cash for the trip.
Dread defines the other end of the pending change spectrum. I passed our garbage man one morning on the way to work, and he encouraged me to have a good day. Dread filled my mind, as I explained I was expecting a layoff notice upon arrival at work; sadly, I was right.
Whether you are aware of positive anticipation or scary dread, constant change is here to stay. Give life enough time and you will have your share of both. My discussions with joyful 90+ year-old people quickly calibrate my sense of the good or bad that comes with change. They have lived long enough to get their fair share of both, and chosen to remain committed to enjoying all that life throws at them. Your outlook and attitude will determine how you filter the inevitable upheaval.
Going Further: What change turned out better than anticipated? Do you view change with anticipation or dread? Who do you admire that has endured much dreadful change, why? How were they able to endure? How can you develop the skill of pushing through the dread, to thrive on the other side?
Writing soundtrack: @peterwhitegtr @rippingtons @EricMarienthal