“You set your heart too much on things, Anne,” said Marilla with a sigh. “I’m afraid there’ll be a great many disappointments in store for you through life.”
“Oh, Marilla, looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them,” exclaimed Anne. “You mayn’t get the things themselves; but nothing can prevent you from having the fun of looking forward to them. Mrs. Lynde says, ‘Blessed are they who expect nothing for they shall not be disappointed.’ But I think it would be worse to expect nothing than to be disappointed.”
-from Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
I admit, I spend much more time in Marilla’s view of things than in Anne’s. Which should surprise no one who knows me.
I try to be Anne-like, though. And that counts for something, I think.
(Incidentally, my first child only narrowly escaped being named Marilla. As it stands, I went with another literary character, albeit unintentionally.)
Imperfect Happiness 