Anticipation is Key

Anticipation is a key to happiness in any relationship. I went on a trip with some friends.  We had a week-long conference and drove two days to get there.  Afterwards, we took two van-loads of women to the beach for a week. 

The first few days were a flurry of driving and sight-seeing.  We sat in conferences all day and I missed my husband more and more each day. 

Then came the beach week.  Oh my goodness, couldn’t I just go home?  I felt like I left a part of myself at home and I was miserable (those poor women!)  Every minute I could, I was calling my husband and telling him how much I missed him.

Three days before we drove home, I realized that I was missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have fun with these particular ladies in this particular place.  This time would never happen again and I had to “suck it up” and have fun.  So I did. 

Once I allowed myself to have fun with the ladies, I realized that I didn’t have to miss my husband so much.  Instead, I could look forward to seeing him again.  In fact, the anticipation of seeing his face and feeling him hug me put me into a better mood and gave me something to look forward to.

Three days later I was home safely in his arms.  I realized then that when I allowed myself to look forward to seeing him again instead of moping around because I missed him, I was living the day I would never get back again.  That didn’t mean that I didn’t miss him.  What it meant was that I had something good to look forward to.  Until then, I had a choice to make – be miserable or be happy.  I wanted to be happy.  In fact, I looked forward to it!

Sometimes anticipation is the key to a happier life,  a happier relationship, and a happier you!