Expecting the Best

“...But a sanguine temper, though for ever expecting more good than occurs, does not always pay for its hopes by any proportionate depression. It soon flies over the present failure, and begins to hope again.”

I always think about this quote from Jane Austen's "Emma" because I tend to be the exact opposite. I think I can protect myself from disappointment by setting low expectations or setting myself up for failure. "I know I didn't get the job", "I must've failed that test", "Something will surely interfere with or ruin this great thing that's happening", etc. But all the doubting and worrying really doesn't make me any less disappointed or any more excited when good things do work out. It just puts a damper on times that could be filled with hope and optimism. One more thing to add to the "I'm working on it" list!