This summer I wanted to observe first hand what causes the tangles of distress that interrupt the wonderful expanses of peace we all experience. I even hoped to learn how to unravel some of those tangles. What an adventure! I could never have predicted what I’d learn — that expectations drive our experience of life. I discovered that we have expectations about almost everything — many below our levels of awareness — and the satisfaction or disappointment of these expectations is what creates contentment or agitation. This new awareness changes the possibility of converting distressing circumstances into peaceful ones on the spot. It provides a higher likelihood of being able to relax and have fun, even in the midst of rising upset. Let me share how it all unfolded.

Summer means different things to each of us. In the Northeast, we are blessed with long hours of daylight. As these thoughts flow into words on this electronic page, the clock reads 5:40 a.m., and night has already brightened into the daylight that will be available well into evening. The calendar indicates July is beginning, and local newspapers specify times and locations to enjoy the fireworks that signal Independence Day. I feel the burst of energy that comes with the extended days of summer. I long to be outside under the sky, with unbounded time —

Most of us are familiar with the story of Noah's Ark. Parables from the bible, myths, folktales, books, movies — even the daily events we retell — are stories we remember and think about. Our curiosity about why and how things happen, leads us to search for meaning in the form of morals, lessons or insights. We do that with both complex and simple stories. To demonstrate what I mean, here’s what an unknown author says he learned from the complex story of Noah and the Ark, then I’ll share the insights I gleaned from a simple event that happened today.

When I was a youngster, it seemed to me my dad was hard on me. Whenever I expressed one viewpoint, he argued the opposite. It seemed our communication was always point and counterpoint.  It was painful to be constantly challenged by a man whose approval meant so much to me. I found my child’s mind questioning my logic and his love.

When my grandfather was a new immigrant to Canada, he arrived with just enough money to buy a few chickens and a rooster. He was trained as a butcher in the old country, and his poultry purchases were part of his plan for the family to survive and thrive in their new world. My father told me stories about how, as the youngest child, it was his job to help his mother feed and clean up after their always-hungry, always-pooping, always-growing, flock of chickens. So imagine my surprise when I read this article written by Bill Gates.