June 18. 2018, Week 25th. Monday

Health and cheerfulness naturally beget each other.

安康喜乐，相生相成。

From Joseph Addison.

Good health is always one of the best blessings we can get in our life.

But how to keep healthy?

It is said that cheerfulness is the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body.

So it is important to be a cheerful person, to live a cheerful life.

Expectation is the root of all heartache.

期待是所有心痛的根源。

Expectation is entirely crucial in setting the standard for contentment.

Unrealistic expectation may be the root of all heartache, but that which is realistic is the root of all joy.

Basically, the very definiton of heartache is when reality fails to live up to one's expectations.

To live without expectations may free us from the inevitable disappointment.

It opens the door of possiblity.

However, we can only do this if we detatch ourselves from being bound to expectation.

Does that mean if we lower our expectations we can avoid heartache?

Probably, but the question is we shouldn't lower or remove our expectations to avoid heartache.

If we remove all expecations, does that mean we are more likely to get walked over?

If we never expect a certain standard, then will we ultimately be left disappointed regardless?

The answer is no.

Expectation is crucial for setting the standards that determine our happiness, to ensure that we get what we need emotionally.

Furthermore, if expectation is the root of all heartache, then surely it is also the root of all joy.

When reality meets or even exceeds expectation, the result would be irreplaceable.

Perhaps it is when we expect too much, an unrealistic assumption, which leads to heartache.

If we learn to judge realistically as opposed to assuming the best or the most, perhaps our levels will be restored in order for happiness to be achieved, and heartache to be avoided.