Happiness equals reality minus expectations

Hello Hello!

This is officially my first newsletter publication! 😍

Once every two weeks, I'll send you a short email highlighting one impactful lesson I've learned from books.

I read many books and I'll filter the best of the best just for you 😎!

Today, we begin with the following idea from "The Practice Of Groundedness" by Brad Stulberg (which happens to be in my top 5 favorite books, by the way!).

Here it is 👇 : 

« Happiness at any given moment equals reality minus expectations. »

« If your expectations are constantly higher than your reality, you'll never be content. »

« Instead of wanting things to be different and then being disappointed when they are not, you need to be with your reality as it is, not just for the highs but for the lows too. Only then can you take wise action to bring about the kind of change that you desire. »

Do you agree?

Majority of the time, you can’t control the exact result of your actions. Setting high expectations for specific outcomes can lead to negative emotions if they are not met.

Instead, direct your efforts toward giving your best, according to your values and with the resources available in the present moment, without attachment to any particular result. 

Embrace the outcomes, even if they are not entirely satisfactory, move forward, and redirect your energies toward something else you can control ❤️. 

You’ll save a lot of energy by doing that, I promise! 

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On another note 👀 …

Here's what I plan to share in the next two weeks on Happiness Library. Only you and I know for now! 😜

• Book recommendations for when you are going through a rough time

• Book recommendations to help boost your attitude for the better

• My official review of Emotions, Happiness And The Story Of Our Lives (I’m currently still reading it, and I’m learning a lot about myself!!)

• My official review of a great book I read a few years ago: Skogluft by Jørn Viumdal (about how natural light and plants can BOOST your general wellbeing)

• 3 books that I ended up not liking… (this post should be interesting 👀)

Answer this email with the post you are most excited about, and I’ll tell you when it’ll be online!

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My next newsletter will be about the fact that we spend 47% of our waking hours thinking about something other than what is in front of us.

That’s scary right 😳?

You’ll learn more about that in two weeks!

Marianne 👋💕