is lowering your expectations really the key to happiness?

As long as you do not put your standards too low.

I mean, don't see a trailer and a hubby who lives from wellfare as good enough lol

Try to settle for a decent house and a guy with a decent job.

Only if they are unrealistic ....it is not fair to make people jump through the hoops of our expectations of them. We should really worry about what we expect from ourselves and then figure out if we can be compatible with or if the other person really values our influence in their lives.
Not talking standards you may have, but those are what you want...the other person may not be willing to follow those standards...then we have to make decisions to lower our own or to keep them right where they are.

No being realistic, respectful and grateful is :)

No. The key to happiness is within you. Lowering expectations is the key to being fked over and not going ballistic and starting a war.

Nope .. that leads to unhappiness!

Having no expectations, might not lead to happiness but you won't be disappointed

It's not unfortunate I'm too stupid to put that into action even though my brain understands it.

I like the motto, "expect nothing but hope for the best"

Yup

No.

Not in some instances. But if you settle for the abusive partner with the house on the hill over the fellow who would be kind simply because the latter owns less... you deserve your fate.