A short story to share...
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get
married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the
kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are.
After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We
will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell
ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his
or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a
nice vacation, when we retire.
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If
not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges.
It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D Souza. He said, "For
a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real
life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to
be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be
served, and a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it
dawned on me that these obstacles were my life". This perspective
has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness
is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure
it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough
to spend your time and remember that time waits for no one.
So stop waiting until you finish school, until you lose ten pounds,
until you have kids, until you start work, until you retire, until
you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until
you get a new car or home, until home is paid off, until spring,
until the first or fifteenth, until you've had a drink, until
you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to
decide that there is no better time than right now to be
happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Work like you don't need
money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's
watching.