"There are moments when everything goes well, but don't be frightened"

It is sometimes more unsettling to experience a period of uninterrupted success and ease than to navigate familiar difficulties. When everything appears to align harmoniously, when tasks are accomplished smoothly, relationships flow effortlessly, and external events unfold in your favor, an undercurrent of unease can arise. Such moments, though commonly desired and sought after, are paradoxically unsettling precisely because they are rare and, for many, unexpected. People tend to grow accustomed to challenges and obstacles as part of everyday life. The sudden absence of friction can trigger suspicion or anxiety, as if calmness is merely a prelude to the next inevitable disruption.

Jules Renard touches on a subtle psychological phenomenon: the fear of good fortune. Many individuals live with an internalized belief that happiness is transient and troubles perennial. When fortunate circumstances occur, they are often met with suspicion. This wariness is rooted in the idea that comfort is fleeting and that something must inevitably go wrong. The caution against becoming frightened during such moments is a gentle encouragement to accept happiness without fear or guilt, to inhabit those rare and beautiful times fully, rather than bracing for disaster. It is an invitation to pause the cycle of worry and perpetual preparation for setbacks.

Contentment and success deserve to be embraced. Overanalyzing or doubting periods of harmony diminishes their value. The challenge is to resist the habitual expectation of negative change and instead savor peace when it comes, without self-sabotage or anxiety about what might follow. Life inevitably presents a mixture of trials and triumphs. By allowing oneself to enjoy times when “everything goes well,” individuals can foster resilience; these positive moments provide the strength and perspective needed to weather future difficulties. Rather than being frightened by good fortune, it is important to cultivate gratitude and presence, appreciating happiness for what it is: a genuine and essential part of the human experience.