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?