Some of you have heard of the above law, but many have forgotten. Here's how it came about.
Years ago we had to renew our Thai visa annually. Marvin would say, "I'm going to go get our visas." This usually took up an entire day, riding city buses, waiting for officials to finish lunch or conversations or whatever! Inevitably, when it was his turn, the immigration official asked for other documents he had not brought. Once he needed his diploma; another time he needed our marriage license. He would return home very frustrated.
After several years of these experiences, he made a decision. He said, "Today I'm going to see about getting our visas renewed. I may not be successful, but I might!" When he returned he sometimes had the visas and sometimes not. His mood, however, improved drastically.
Marvin later named this "Helsel's Law of Minimal Expectations." It is still functional in this house! I used it this week when I was trying to do business in another state, and was frustrated at almost every turn. It suddenly occurred to me to just relax and remember the Law of Minimal Expectations. I might get the money wired today or I might not. It was not life or death. The world would continue turning, and all would work out.
Maintaining our joy means we must continually be aware of perspective. What is IMPORTANT after all?
