This was one of my favorite thoughts high school through college. I'm finding I am in need of it's wisdom right now, with so many questions, so much waiting. I'm trying to pound it into my brain: enjoy the journey.
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 ...
"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.
But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, 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 go back to school ... until you lose ten pounds ... until you gain ten pounds ... until you have kids ... until your kids leave the house ... until you start work ... until you retire ... until you get married ... until you get divorced ... until Friday night ... until Sunday morning ... until you get a new car or home ... until your car or home is paid off ... until spring, until summer ... until fall ... until winter ... until you are off welfare ... until the first or fifteenth ... until your song comes on ... 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!!
6 comments:
I love the picture, the background, the thoughts. Thanks Heidi.
Love,
mom/sis
I was reading a post I wrote about Enjoying the Journey... It's good to have these moments of reflection and reminding. Thanks for the reminder! Good luck on your present journey!!!
Hey Sista,
I love your post. It's amazing how we all live that way waiting for the next cycle of life before we're happy. I love you tons and can't wait to see you!
Tiff
So true.. so true. I was thinkg today that I wished I could fast forward a few months so things with Kate were easier and so it would be spring. Thanks for reminding me to enjoy TODAY. You're such a wise woman!
I so needed this! I have been hounded by the necessity of learning the lesson the past year. You are amazing.....thank you for sharing.....I really needed to read it!
I was just rereading the conference talks on Sunday from the last conference and there was a talk about finding JOY now. Then I started working on my lesson for YW and it is about the same thing! Now I read your blog and there it is a gain!!! I think someone is trying to send me a message!
Thanks for sharing and for the great reminder!!!
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