Image from Fully Mindful.
I believe it was Earl Nightingale who used the expression ‘cheerful expectancy‘ to describe an attitude of mind in relation to our intentions and goals. By ‘cheerful expectancy’, he meant the optimism, confidence and preparedness to receive or achieve that which we have intended.
An attitude of ‘cheerful expectancy’ leaves no room for despondency, dread, failure or doubt. What an absolutely marvelous attitude to have, wouldn’t you say?
Note that ‘cheerful expectancy’ leaves no room for failure. The implication of this is profound! Let me explain.
If you have an attitude that denies you failure, it means that regardless of the outcome of any intention or goal you’ve set, you will have succeeded! Wow! Is that empowering or what?
Now I know you’re probably thinking, ‘Here we go again, playing with words’ or ‘playing with your mind’. Well, guess what?
You’re absolutely right!
I am absolutely suggesting, encouraging, actually URGING you to play with your words and play with your mind! Because if you don’t, then you will effectively be leaving others to do it for you and relying on others who have already done it for you.
Yes, I mean all those people in your life, past and present, including your parents, teachers, bosses and peers, who have been feeding you with beliefs encoded in words and intellectual manipulations to influence your thinking.
Now, I am not suggesting that these people did any of this with malice but they probably did it to preserve a belief and value system that they had bought into and that compelled them to ‘recruit’ others, including yourself, into. And, more than likely, they have succeeded.
Get this: You live your life according to words and intellectual manipulations i.e. beliefs, attitudes and judgments. But these particular words and manipulations are not innate aspects of who you are. Rather, you have learned or acquired them. Which makes it equally possible and necessary for you to learn and acquire those words and manipulations that serve your true desires – desires for happiness, peace, abundance, love and freedom.
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So, the question that I am asking you now is this:
What words, what meanings and what manipulations (thoughts) would you prefer to have? What attitudes are you prepared to choose now?
For instance, are you prepared to choose to
Use these words: Every outcome is a success.
Have this attitude: I have created this outcome and I will benefit from it no matter what!
Think these thoughts: What is the success quality in this outcome? What useful thing can I get out of this?
Wow! How does that feel?
So, are you prepared to play with your words and your mind or are you going to keep letting others play with them?
Lucy Lopez
Awakening to Happiness!





























What a wonderful phrase – “cheerful expectancy”. It perfectly describes our attitude to anticipated treats and rewards. Whereas the opposite is our usual attitude to our daily lives.
Hi, Thanks for article. Everytime like to read you.
Rufor
What a wonderful post. I will definitely try to use the phrases suggested when I’m talking to myself, which I do a lot;-)
Angela´s last blog ..Girl On A Bike
Jan, yes, ‘cheerful expectancy’ just *feels* high frequency, doesn’t it:)
Thanks for stopping by Rufor and hope you find much more to enjoy here :)
Angela, thank you for your comment. Yes, do use these phrases and others like it. After all, as you so rightly say, you do talk to yourself a lot. I actually have realized I talk to myself more than I talk to anyone else :)