Everyone knew that if you divided reality by expectation, you got a happiness quotient. But when you invert the equation - expectation divided by reality - you didn't get the opposite of happiness. What you got, Lewis realized, was hope.
In the book "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult, a profound insight emerges regarding the relationship between reality and expectation. Traditionally, people believe that happiness can be calculated by dividing reality by expectation. However, the author flips this concept to reveal a more complex understanding of human emotions. When you take expectation and divide it by reality, it does not yield dissatisfaction. Instead, it presents a different outcome altogether.
Through this lens, the result is not unhappiness but rather hope. Lewis, a character in the story, comes to understand that while reality might disappoint at times, the presence of hope offers a path forward. Hope can inspire resilience and drive individuals to work towards a better future, regardless of their current circumstances. This shift in perception highlights the importance of hope in navigating life’s challenges.
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I've learned very, very, very clearly that money does not equal happiness or security, either.
I didn't want kids to think that to be happy, they had to be famous or rich or live in the big city.
