# Happiness = Reality — Expectations?

- Link: https://www.andreidraganescu.info/2017/02/02/happiness-reality-expectations/
- Published: 2017-02-02T15:51:19+03:00
- Author: Andrei Draganescu

#### This is the formula of happiness. No go be happy! Just kidding …

![](https://draganescu.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/53c65-1o8yh77t58jqfsrjt72j-xq.
png)

`(a rebooted response)`

> It is exactly this line of thinking that, in my opinion, underpins unhappiness,
> said [Alex Schiff](https://medium.com/u/31fc3f1426eb) in an article.

But it does sound believable right? Happiness = Reality — Expectations. After all
we’re our biggest enemies in the race to happy-land.

Isn’t it true that should we lower our expectations, happiness would soon ensue?

No.

![](https://draganescu.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/1cb30-0a138iug1jzgazp-z.png)

bad news

The formula is good, but the interpretation is wrong.

People expect all formulas to be as simple as 2 + 2 = 4, but in reality most formulas
have _meaning _attached, that is a certain correct interpretation that makes them
valuable.

In this case, the problem is that:

> Expectations are always maximal

Expectations = education x culture x personality. How can you lower that? Be stupid,
be ignorant, be a simpleton. Otherwise prepare to be unhappy.

If you get this, then you’ll work to _maximize Reality!_

If you didn’t get that, you’ll work you ass off to lower your expectations to lonely
monk limits. Then, when expectations will be close to zero, we’ll get to:

> Happiness = Reality – 0 (zero) => Happiness = Reality,

**… are you kidding me?**

When you get to bare reality (it bites by the way) it will slap you in the face 
because reality is rough, simple and it ain’t got no time for you. Because if reality
was so darn pretty and a constant source of happiness, then you wouldn’t have had
any Expectations to begin with, amirite?

![](https://draganescu.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/e02de-01eczmb6ymb-n61n0.png)

good news

Humans are transformative beings which create constant change. We change ourselves,
we change others and we change everything around us; after all humans are the only
beings on this planet who are in a constant race with the limited time they have,
perpetually running away from it (change, by the way, makes time go slower).

![](https://draganescu.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/51e13-0ee-byg6nlvnoicug.png)

more good news

Expectations are the product of education, culture and personality. The product,
not the sum. A small dent in your education, culture or personality produces a huge
dent in your Expectations. Yet education, culture and personality are the strings
we’re all playing our existence on, so prepare for updated levels of Expectations
the older you get.

We also shouldn’t mix _concepts _here. Expectations are not the same thing with 
entitlement or privilege. Also, spiritual paths such as mindfulness or thankfulness
are just as well grounded on Expectations. These paths only guide you towards your
Expectations, they will not magically make reality any prettier, than the ruthless
bitch that bytes everyone, which reality is.

_Maximize reality_ so that it overcomes your expectations. Then, only then, happiness
results. Happiness may be specific and complicated but it does have one advantage:
it is an essential state. Like any essence, one small drop of it and, kaboom, you’re
happy! That means you need to maximize reality just a tad over your expectations,
and keep reality a tad up as your Expectations grow.

Simple? What’s more beautiful than a happy human being?

![](https://draganescu.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/51e13-0ee-byg6nlvnoicug.png)

life is great