Expectations are based on the future, which we can’t control, and yet we can’t help but hope to be the exception. We put expectations on happiness that often ensure we later experience disappointment.

We expect happiness will make everything better. We expect if we can make someone else happy, that we will get what we want from them, like love, attention, or validation. We expect happiness to last so we don’t ever have to be without again.

The expectations we place on happiness are simply our hopes. By setting an expectation of happiness, we are hoping the outcome will manifest exactly as we want it so we don’t have to worry about or work to be happy ever again.

Maybe it’s a new job, relationship, or new success, but when we put an expectation on happiness, we end up far more disappointed than if we just enjoy the experience for what it is in the present.

While happiness is laden with expectations, inspiration is free of them. The moment and the experience is enough.

We might say, “I hope [this activity] is enough to make me happy,” but we would never think, “I hope [this activity] will inspire me enough.” We never have to expect happiness or outline specific results from being inspired. We don’t have to expect anything from inspiration because inspiration is always good enough exactly as it is, and it always serves us well.

Happiness Example: I thought when I got this new job, everything would be better, but now I’m just overwhelmed and my co-worker isn’t interested in being very helpful. I really thought this new job would bring me more happiness!

Inspired Example: I’m so present in being inspired that I don’t care how long it lasts. I don’t need this activity to fix my life; I just need to enjoy it right now.