Anticipation

  
     Carly Simon's song "Anticipation" begins: "We can never know about the days to come/ But we think about them anyway."  When we anticipate a pleasant future, we may rejoice if we are fulfilled or face disappointment if we feel shortchanged.  When we anticipate an unpleasant chain of events,  we may be right and add to our disappointments or realize we were foolish to worry.  Predicting the future is full of missteps.
     The more we make realistic predictions, the less we will face unpleasant surprises.  The more logical and perhaps less emotional we are, the more prepared we can be to face various outcomes.  Some people believe that you may subconsciously fulfill your expectations, whether positive or negative.  Your attitude and behavior may make things come to pass, a self-fulfilling prophecy.
     Anticipation may increase pleasure or worry.  Some people advise to hope for the best but prepare for the worst.  Plan well but realize that some things are out of your control.  Don't dwell too much on the days or years to come.  Appreciate today.    
            

Peripheral Vision

   
     Many popular hair styles prevent women from having a full range of vision.  One or both eyes are partially blocked and cause a loss of peripheral vision.  Many athletes must don headbands and/or pony tails in order to see.  The "beauty" of long hair takes precedence over practicality.
     Viewing only what is directly in front of you or keeping your focus on the center of your attention can limit what you need to see.  The whole picture is obscured.  Sometimes out of necessity a horse needs blinders to keep it from distractions.  Some humans put on blinders to keep them from thinking about unpleasant facts or opposing opinions.   They may think that these distractions could weaken their own resolve or (horrors!) take them off their narrow path.
     Get that hair out of your face and take off the blinders so that you can be prepared for whatever may come your way.  Don't block your peripheral vision.
 

      

Indignation

     When you perceive something as unfair, offensive, or wrong, you may get annoyed, insulted, or angry; you may become indignant.  These emotions are normal, although you may repress them or speak up or try to right a wrong.
     In Philip Roth's "Indignation," we see a father who has exaggerated fears of the dangers his son may face.  The young man is more than annoyed, becomes indignant, and moves away to attend college.  He just wants to study, have a satisfying career, and avoid being drafted into the front lines of the Korean War.  He soon realizes this college expects him to live with their religious point of view.  This restrictive atmosphere insults his own beliefs.  After attending school only a few months, he becomes part of the war.
     Whether we face personal indignities in our own family, endure prejudice from associates, or suffer in an unjust society, we often will be treated unfairly.  What situations cause you to feel indignant?  What do you do about it?