Hawking provides the answer in this manner, "When life's expectations are reduced to zero, one really does appreciate everything that one does have." Stated another way it's this, "contentment in life is determined in part by what a person anticipates from it." So how great are your expectations? To a man like Hawking, who thought he would die quickly, everything takes on meaning. Whether it's a sunrise or a walk in the park or the laughter of children and suddenly, each small pleasure becomes precious. By contrast, those who believe that life owes them a free ride are often discontent with the finest of gifts and the most active of lives.