Anticipation:
the action of anticipating something; expectation or prediction.
Anticipate:
regard as probable; expect or predict.
act as a forerunner or precursor of.

I am a slave to anticipation.
I expect things to happen in my life.
When life does not provide me with things as I expected, it is a let down.

Expectation:
a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.
one's prospects of inheritance.
Expect:
regard (something) as likely to happen.
regard (someone) as likely to do or be something.
believe that (someone or something) will arrive soon.

Living life in anticipation of expectation is dangersous to emotional security.
When we live anticipating our expectations we lose the ability to understand and deal with the unexpected.
Life is full of unexpected events.
The Universe is chaos and in a chaotic Universe it is more likely the expected will result in unexpected outcomes.

I find it challeging to remove my expectations from my interactions with another.
It is so easy to expect, then find.
However, if I can remove those expectations from the equation, I learn to see that person as they actually are.
This benefits me.
The blindsided surprise is no longer an issue.

The issue at hand...when, why and to what degree?

Expectation is an excuse to anticipate, because the anticipation is how I move through life. Other than that, it interferes with peace, which is necessary periodically in order to heal to be stronger in the long run.

That how savage-man (me) function. :

Interesting to think about.

Expectaion and anticipation are the same.
When one relys on one too much, things get messed up.
Is it not better to rely on actual experience?

However in the right situation
It can be such a delight
The antici..... pation of the pleasure
Just before the plea.. ..sure hits
That weird in between of pleasure and pain
Those few eternal seconds in between
Before your belly hits the roof of your mouth and your eyes roll in the back of your......

Why does this make me think of that catsup commercial with Carly Simon's song?

Make light then wonder why your lives are in such disarray?

It never ceases to amaze me why people work so hard to preserve their own delusions.

I want to be open to new experiences, so try not to get too attached to anticipating specific outcomes. It can be more difficult to do after experiencing stretches of bad surprises.

You’re right. Where I said anticipation, I meant being active in thought and deed.

Expectation is definitely good if it is based on reality, or else on the body‘s natural rhythm, disengaging or engaging like the clutch in the original stick shift.

I have to have one or two days a week where I don’t have any mental demands, and I rest, heal, strengthen, and become durable again. I can’t drink coffee on those days because it interferes with rest.

Expectations can be a good excuse to be active for strength and the sowing of seeds. It is good for getting rolling but it makes things high stake. The body does not function well at high stake for long periods of time. It functions better in the mode of coasting when everything is okay.

Anticipation is a strength. It is a habit of success. It is beginning with the end in mind and getting the needed results done with a focus. For some people, aimlessly researching and wandering is the only thing they can do. It is a different frame of mind. For any mental practice, it is good to rest from it occasionally to maintain strength, and use a diversity of mental skills interspersed.

Is this anticipation about good things or bad things? Or both?

A bit of literalism here, for the sake of greater clarity(I hope)

Anticipation is NOT the same as Expectation, though they can be related.

In most applications in our society at least, EXPECTATIONS are very much like DEMANDS. Or REQUIREMENTS. If things don't happen as EXPECTED, people tend to be upset, one way or another.

ANTICIPATIONS, on the other hand, are often associated with enjoying (or fearing) in advance, the outcome that a person desires.

Lots of people ALLOW themselves to ANTICIPATE something, because they EXPECT it to happen; but lots of people don't ANTICIPATE what they expect at all. If anything, they do the opposite of ANTICIPATE. They move mentally ahead, right past the expected event, and deal with life as though the EXPECTED thing has already occurred.

I agree with the thrust of the opening post, that it is a good idea to NOT blind oneself to what COULD happen, by either too much EXPECTATION or too much ANTICIPATION.

The correct use of anticipation or expectation (IMO) requires that you be aware of the fact that that is what you are doing. Realize that when you EXPECT, you are trying to plan ahead; and if that IS your goal, then you should be sure to also plan for what to do if your EXPECTATIONS are not fulfilled.

The best way to ANTICIPATE, again IMO, is to go ahead and enjoy whatever in advance; but be aware that you are fantasizing about the future; not living in the present reality.

For me, it's all about staying grounded and self-aware.