Feb 26, 2014

Waiting Is The Best Part



'Anticipation' is the word Pooh was looking for, and it’s been on my mind recently. Something as simple as a cup of coffee — ah, the bliss of inhaling the aroma of freshly ground coffee. Yet, when the coffee is made and I take my first sip...well, I do enjoy a cup of coffee, but drinking it is never, ever as good as the anticipation.

Much, much more thrilling is the anticipation of reading a book that I’ve been looking forward to for some time. I love the joyful tingles of anticipation when I know that I’m about to open a book by a favourite author. Every year my son buys me a novel by the same author for my birthday. He knows that I’ll never complain because I love her books. I know the book’s coming and I start to anticipate reading the story well in advance. My birthday is two months away and already I’m looking forward to the book with excitement. Reading the book is great, but the anticipation is even better.
"Never forget that anticipation is an important part of life. Work's important, family's important, but without excitement, you have nothing. You're cheating yourself if you refuse to enjoy what's coming." - Nicholas Sparks, Three Weeks With My Brother
I believe that having something to look forward to is a great way to give yourself an instant boost of happiness, whether it’s as large as an overseas trip or as small as a mid-afternoon latte. Sometimes it’s good to slow down and allow yourself to wait for things, to daydream about them, plan for them and let yourself get excited about them, because the anticipation can make you happier than the event itself.

Do you agree? Do you make the most of situations that allow you to indulge in anticipation? Do you think that waiting is the best part?

24 comments:

  1. I love the anticipation factor! Sometimes it really is better than the real thing (nothing worse than a bitter cup of coffee!). I hate rushing but my husband is one of those last minute late people and I think dashing somewhere - e.g. to a concert- completely ruins the experience- I love enjoying the slow build up and always factor in getting there early if I can to enjoy the atmosphere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so right, Louisa. Rushing spoils the experience and getting there early to enjoy the build up is definitely the way to do it if at all possible.

      Delete
  2. Anticipation is delicious!
    It's the bit I like most about romance novels. The slow build, the dance as the couples move slowly towards each other. The thrill of the seduction.
    Love it :-)
    Great topic for your first blog, Claire!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Amy.
      You're right. Romance novels are all about the waiting and the pay-off is all the better for it.

      Delete
  3. Great post, Claire!! Hmmm, anticipation. I do love anticipation but being an action kind of gal and love the doing too. I love smelling my morning coffee but drinking yum, yum, yum. I should probably slow down sometimes and enjoy the anticipation more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You wouldn't be you if you slowed down, Jennifer!

      But, yeah, maybe try it once and see if you like it.

      Delete
  4. Totally agree, Claire. I'm all about the anticipation (I even love the sound of the word!) in life, in reading, in how I structure my stories, in preparing meals (love taking it slow in the kitchen, to absorb the scents and enjoy the process). Sometimes I have to remind myself not to build things up *too* much, so as not to set myself up for disappointment. That can be the case with favourite authors, much anticipated movies or shows, but never with travel or big events where the actuality always exceeds expectation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Preparing meals! Now that's an activity that I rush through as quickly as possible, but I should slow down and enjoy the process like you, at least once in a while.

      Delete
  5. Hi Claire, what a lovely post. You can't go wrong with a bit of AA Milne in the morning! I agree about the anticipation. It's one of the best things and I love to savour the joy of an upcoming good experience almost as much as the doing. Of course, the down side is learning not to anticipate the worse things in great detail! One of the things I love about Christmas is the anticipation of reading a fantastic new book afterwards (my family keep me supplied).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, yes, the Christmas books and waiting for the chaos to be over so that I can sit down and read. I agree, it's one of the best things about the holiday.

      Delete
  6. Oh, yes! Anticipation is one of my favourite things. :-) It's the main reason I like to plan an overseas trip well in advance -- all of that delicious anticipation for the wonderful things one can see and do. Yum.

    Mind you, I love anticipation on a much smaller scale too and your post has made me realised that's probably why I work so well under the carrot-and-stick routine, Claire. Finish writing a chapter and I get to watch an episode of Buffy. Meet my targets for the week and I get a beer on the front veranda on Friday afternoon. Oh, yes, you're right -- one should definitely fit anticipation in on a daily basis. ;-)

    Fab post, Claire!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, Michelle, it never occurred to me to promise myself a treat if I achieve my word count target. How silly is that? I must start this regime immediately!

      If I meet my editing target today I can watch an episode of Castle tonight. Ah, the anticipation. I love Castle.

      Delete
  7. Claire, you're so right. Anticipation is as good as, if not better, than the event. Last year we went away for a two month trip and had a wonderful time, but I can honestly say the eight months leading up to it when we were planning and making bookings was just as exciting. Imagine only enjoying drinking the coffee without all that tantalising aroma as it's being prepared first. Great post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, a two month trip sounds wonderful, Sue, but yes, the eight months beforehand would have been so exciting.

      Delete
  8. I've been anticipating your first post with the Lovecats, Claire, and I think this is one occasion when the event is even better! I do love a bit of AA Milne.

    I am in the reward camp with Michelle and have little bitty rewards all the time. Half way point in my word count for the day is walking the dog so she's all about anticipation too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad I didn't disappoint you, Barb!

      A dog anticipating a walk...now that takes excitement to a whole new level.

      Delete
  9. I like anticipation in theory but not so much in real life. I was one of those horrid kids who opened Christmas presents early because I couldn't wait, and I often read the end of a book, esp if its suspense cos I can't stand it and I have to know. The rest of you are so good. I couldn't even reward myself like Barb cos I'd cheat myself. Pathetic!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne, I'm cringing at the thought of opening Christmas presents early, and as for reading the end of a book - aargh!

      Thanks for dropping by to let me know that we're not all the same. :)

      Delete
  10. Great post, Claire! I'm with Amy - there's something really delicious about anticipation! I love planning for a trip and collecting lots of bits of information and imagining what it's going to be like when we get there. Quite often my idea of how it will be is thoroughly off-base but, still, it's fun!

    I had a giggle at Joanne's comment and opening the Christmas presents and reading the end of the book! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly, Sharon. Doesn't really matter if it's not how you imagined, because you've had all that fun imagining it.

      Delete
  11. Hi Claire

    Yes I agree that waiting is worth everything :) like at Christmas time and this weekend one of my daughters is getting married and it has been so good getting everything organized for it and finally we are just about at the day :)

    Have Fun
    Helen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you have a wonderful time at the wedding, Helen. I'm sure you've had many happy moments during the planning stage, and this weekend you'll see it all come together. Beautiful.

      Delete
  12. Claire, I love this post! I remember a number of years ago I deliberately tried not to have too much anticipation because it sometimes made things anti-climactic. But then I realised that without the anticipation it was *guaranteed* to have an anti-climax. Not to mention, as you've pointed out, often the anticipation is the the best part anyway. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to hear that you're no longer depriving yourself of excitement by trying to keep a lid on it. :)

      Delete