July 4th, 2026
Getting Real and Personal in the Pursuit of Happiness
“Expect nothing; live frugally on surprise.”
Alice Walker (American Novelist & Short Story Writer; February 9th, 1944)
“William James was also an eloquent and persuasive champion of a philosophical school of thought known as Pragmatism. He argued that the world already exists when we are born, and we have to accept it as it is. But our ability to create our own inner reality can determine if we view the Universe as friendly or hostile.”
“Be willing to have it so… Acceptance of what has happened is the first step in overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.”
William James (American Philosopher & Psychologist; January 11th, 1842 to August 26th, 1910)
“Being a pragmatist, Dr. James believed that personal happiness hinges on a practicality: if your reality lives up to your expectations, you’re happy. If it doesn’t, you’re depressed.”
“Do we consciously and continually strive for more accomplishments and accumulations? Or do we lower our expectations, live with what we have, and learn to be content?”
“Many of us mistakenly think that lowering our expectations means we must surrender our dreams.”
“Absolutely not. Dreams and expectations are two very different things. Dreams call for a leap of faith, trusting, that Spirit is holding the net, so that you can continue in the re-creation of the world with your energy, soul gifts, and vision. Expectations are the emotional investment the ego makes in a particular outcome: what needs to happen to make that dream come true. The ego’s expectations are never vague: Oscars, magazine covers, the New York Times best-seller list. Your dreams must manifest exactly as the ego imagines or someone isn’t going to be very happy. And guess who that is? The ego! Since none of us can always predict either the future or the best outcome for our authentic path, this kind of thinking is self-destructive. Because if we don’t live up to the ego’s expectations, we’ve failed again. And at some point we really do give up.”
“The passionate pursuit of dreams sets your soul soaring; expectations that measure the dream’s success tie stones around your soul. I don’t think we should just lower our expectations; I believe if we truly want to live a joyous and adventurous life, we should relinquish them.”
“Living your life as a dreamer and not as an ‘expector’ is a personal declaration of independence. You’re able to pursue happiness more directly when you don’t get caught up in the delivery details. Dreaming, not expecting, allows Spirit to step in and surprise you with connection, completion, consummation, celebration. You dream. Show up for work, Then let Spirit deliver your dreams to the world.”
“When once a decision is reached and execution is the order of the day, dismiss absolutely all responsibility and care about the outcome.”
William James (American Philosopher & Psychologist; January 11th, 1842 to August 26th, 1910)
“I don’t think any of our dreams begin to come close to the dreams Spirit has waiting with our names on them. I also believe we’ll only find out once we start investing our emotions in authentic expression, and not in spefici outcomes.”
“I say let the flow carry you on your life journey…PLUG IN!”
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 241 to 243 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
