There was a song many years ago by Carly Simon - 'Anticipation.' She captured the feel of it as she drew out the word An-ti-ci-paaa-tion, making you eager for whatever words were next. Heinz later used it in a commercial for ketchup, a bottle upside down, the thick red sauce slowly edging down, perhaps onto some French fries, as the Carly Simon song played in the background.

We're living during a time when speed is important. We want something, and we want it ASAP. We want fast shipping when we order something. We text instead of emailing hoping for a quicker response. We order online to pick up at a store to save time walking the aisles. We use our pressure cookers or the microwave to cut kitchen time in half.

It's handy. I love ordering something and having it two days later. Or ordering something online and running in to pick it up at Target on my way to a hair appointment. And my Instant Pot sees a lot of use. But maybe we do pay the price for some of this speed.

Anticipation, described by Jane Austin in Sense and Sensibility as '...that sanguine expectation of happiness which is happiness itself" is undoubtedly one of life's most delightful feelings. Think how exciting Christmas was when you were a child, and you counted down the days until the big day. Maybe you even had an advent calendar at your house to help with the countdown.

For many of us, while we do enjoy rapid gratification, anticipation is still a decidedly pleasurable experience. I love it when I have time to cook a pot roast or a large pot of spaghetti sauce on the stove, smelling it as it simmers slowly for hours. By the time the dinner hour arrives, I am so ready to enjoy the meal, as well as my husband or daughter who exclaim, 'Something smells so good!' When I'm tossing stuff into the pressure cooker or heating in the microwave, there is much less time to enjoy any aroma of our upcoming dinner.

Gardening has long been an activity that demands patience, but brings us the delight of anticipation. When you were a child, did you ever plant zinnia seeds in your yard? You watered them carefully, kept the weeds away, and checked every day to see if tiny green shoots had emerged. You continued waiting and watching as they grew, until one day, you had flowers! Many of us still enjoy the thrill of seeing things we have planted grow and flourish.

My friend Joan, one of the happiest people I know, says that she makes sure she has at least one good thing to look forward to every day and adds that it was never more important than when she became widowed a few years ago. This makes good sense when you think that anticipation, having something to look forward to, generates feelings of hopefulness, something we all need.

Most of us have things we enjoy doing that also bring us pleasure as we look forward to them. Sometimes the planning, preparation, and expectancy are as gratifying as the thing itself.

I love to read, and when I have a really good book, I find myself thinking about it during the day, wondering what will happen next. I happily look forward to sitting down in the evening, after supper in my pajama's, and getting back to the story.

My friend, Renee, says she looks forward to sitting down with a cross stitch, knitting, or other needlework projects. It feels like a reward for the stress experienced with her job.

What a person looks forward to does not have to be a big thing like a trip or a concert, of course. How many of us wake up and think about how good that cup of coffee we will get on the way to work is going to taste?

Some people look forward to their exercise time. They may eagerly await the time with friends in a class or the time to themselves on a bike.

Angela is looking forward to paying off her student loans next month. She anticipates less anxiety, and the ability to save some but also to buy a few things she had been putting off.

Anticipation is not necessarily passive. Indeed it's often more pleasurable if you can be a bit active with it. Knowing you have a trip planned is pleasant, but you may enhance the pleasure of waiting by reading about where you are going, planning activities and even what you will wear.

What are you looking forward to with eager anticipation right now? Maybe it's a family visit. Perhaps it's an evening when your daughter is going to a sleepover, leaving you and your husband an evening to yourselves. Maybe your spouse is building a new kitchen table for your home...imagine how special that's going to be when that project is done?

There are probably lots of things. Today stop and think of what is coming up that you are looking forward to. Take some time to just think about it a bit, and enjoy the pleasurable sensation that wells up inside at the thought of whatever that occasion may be.

It's amazing what you can make out of wood, for a fraction of what it would cost in a store. Plus, there's something truly special when you have something in your home that was made with your own hands...or the hands of someone in your family.

Whether you've been wanting your own custom set of Adirondack chairs, a new barn, a bird house, coat rack, chest, coffee table, doll house, deck, dresser, fence, guitar, hutch, mailbox, planter, play house, shelves, stool, tray, toy, wishing well, or (you fill in the blank!), you'll find STEP-BY-STEP instructions, photos, tutorials, and diagrams to make every project laughably easy.

Ted's collection of plans are some of the best I've seen. If you're a woodworker, you really don't want to miss out on this. No matter what, at least have a peek. For details, visit:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-ww.html

GON Recipe Looking for a new spin on mashed potatoes? Here you go! Adams' Apple Mashed Potatoes...fun and delicious!
getorganizednow.com/recipe-apple-mashed-potatoes.html


In ADDITION, on my home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

New Web Poll Vote for your favorite rainy day activity in the new web poll I just posted. It's easy and fast

Social Media Video Feature Our dangerous obsession with perfectionism is getting worse. This is a must-see video

April showers bring May flowers. RAIN is my featured theme of the week, and the two quotes on my home page reflect this theme.

GON Monthly Organizing Checklist How are you doing with the TO DOs on my April Organizing Checklist? I listed a task a day so you don't have to think about what to do

GON Mini Organizing Challenges For each week of April, my challenges are focused on Clutter Clearing for Clothing and Accessories. Do the mini challenge for Week 2 this week.


Access all of the above on my home page. Visit:
getorganizednow.com

''Well,' said Pooh, 'what I like best,' and then he had to stop and think. Because although eating honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called.'
--A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

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And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

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