Category Archives: expectations

Mar 02 0 comments
expectations, Happiness, Jose Marti, romance

Charm is a Product of the Unexpected
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I went to a post on ‘The Happiness Project’ blog today and unexpectedly found a wonderful story about finding the unexpected.


The author, Gretchen Rubin, wrote about her intense happiness in finding unexpected art in public places.  It got me thinking about both topics, happiness and art, and my response is exactly the same. I love art in museums, but I LOVE unexpectedly coming across art in non-art spaces.




This is what I wrote as a comment on her blog:

What makes me extremely happy is coming across an unexpected piece of art, in the middle of a non-art world. While on a long run in a park in Waco, Texas I came upon a giant art installation being made; a grouping of anthropomorphic, whimsical huts made out of branches, with doors and windows for all to go in and out of. It was just being finished, the artist was there, as was the city official in charge of the grand opening, which was taking place in just a few minutes. I stopped my run 4 miles short, chills up and down my spine, to stop and be happy in the presence of unexpected and beautiful art. I went to the artist, Patrick Daugherty, and made sure he knew at least one person was very, very happy to see his ‘River Vessels’ installation.



I went looking for quotes on ‘unexpected’ and came across this one.  It really does get to the heart of what makes something or someone charming.  I know I will see art in a museum, but I am delighted and charmed, often to the point of giddiness, by seeing art where I don’t expect it.


My illustration took a turn towards another example of charm, the type associated with romance.  It’s not the flowers that make it charming, it’s the unexpected charm of having a frog be the one who gives them.


So, be on the lookout for what makes you happy. I bet you’ll find in part it’s connected to having a joyfully unexpected event happen in your life.  Better yet, why don’t YOU help make that wonderfully unexpected event for someone else!  If you are a frog, not a prince, get flowers. If you are neither, be on the lookout for the charming frog as much as the charming prince!
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Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily


Quote by Jose Marti, 1853-1895, Cuban writer
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One year ago today at The Napkin Dad Daily – Eavesdropping



Jul 06 1 comments
Earl Wilson, escape, expectations, money, Vacation, worry

>A Vacation Is What You Take

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Vacations are the sort of thing where you have unthought out expectations of what it should consist of.  I don’t mean the destination, I mean the intangibles that you don’t think of in advance, but you expect to have happen.  Perhaps you expect that a vacation includes sleeping in late at the hotel while your spouse expects a vacation to include getting up early and seeing the sites before the crowd.  Perhaps you expect a vacation to be all planned out, no surprises while your traveling partner is thinking a vacation isn’t a vacation unless it’s filled with unexpected moments and events.


With my first wife and I we had to come to terms with money on vacation.  I remember her worrying about money and what we were spending and me getting annoyed at that.  At one point it came to me, I had an expectation I hadn’t realized.  My vacation was in large part a vacation from worrying about money!  


When we get right down to it the best, most rejuvenating vacations are a break from worry, right? Might be worrying about money like I was doing back home, or worrying about obligations and judgment and duties.  So, when you plan your vacation, think along those lines and plan accordingly.  What do you want to not worry about?
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Don’t forget, you have 7 more opportunities (one a day for the next week) to vote for your favorite blog (that’s this one) for ‘most inspiring’ at the Blog Luxe Awards.  I would certainly appreciate it. Don’t forget when you vote you need to validate the vote as well. Thanks!


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Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily


Quote by Earl Wilson, 1907-1987, American journalist.  At least I think it was this Wilson.  The other choices are a baseball player and a congressman.  I made the most likely choice to have a witty saying.


Nov 27 0 comments
expectations, looking, Maurice Setter

>Too Many People Miss

>Expecting something of value to happen in your life without pre-conditions of the exact nature of the event isn’t easy. But if you practice being open to whatever happens and finding the preciousness within it, then it won’t matter if it is gold, silver or dirt.

Drawing and Commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily blog.

Quote by Maurice Setter, 1936-not dead yet, English football (soccer) player


Dec 03 1 comments
expectations, family, health, Marty Coleman, unexpected

>The Unexpected Life

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Did you wonder where I had gone? Why no napkins for a number of days?
Well, this napkin explains it.

Unexpected

But I can also explain a bit further.
The daughter who gave me the napkins back on Father’s Day (read the story about the napkins to understand) moved to Tucson, AZ under trying circumstances about 1 1/2 years ago. She initially communicated sparsely, with no return address and no telephone. Then all communication stopped. When she missed cards on birthdays we started to really worry and so over Thanksgiving, 08 her younger sister drove to AZ to look for her. She found her and spent a number of days with her, reporting back to her mother and I (we are divorced) about what she was learning of her life style and health, mentally and physically. We decided we needed to go to Tucson also to talk to her, which we did the day after Thanksgiving.

We talked to her the next day and it was a bit more confrontational than we would have liked. She didn’t react well but eventually agreed to and got a neutral evaluation of her health. We talked after that evaluation and she agreed to talk to someone about issues she knew she had to deal with. She promised she would communicate with us so we would know she is safe. She said she would see us the next day at a cafe she frequents. She didn’t show up to see us that day or the next. We left without further communications.

On the positive side we met her landlord (she lives in an outbuilding on the lady’s ranch). She was instrumental in getting our daughter to go to the initial evaluation. We were very impressed with her willingness to help us out and her insight from years of practice of teaching and helping people in similar situations. She gave us great confidence that our daughter has someone watching out for her. We met a number of her friends as well, and we found them all to be very loving and caring with a good level of understanding of our daughter. We now have addresses and phone numbers of people who can help us and can tell us if she is in danger or is in need of help.

We will hope for the best; that she will communicate with us, no matter how minimal it is, and that she will seek and get the help she needs to resume functioning at a healthy level.

Send good thoughts, ok?


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