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,

 

 

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 there is no better time than right now to be

happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

 

 

 

 

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that

they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach

you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want

to become. You never know who these people may be (possibly your

roommate, neighbor, professor, long lost friend, lover, or even a

complete stranger), but when you lock eyes with them, you know at

that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful,

and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without

overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your

potential, strength, willpower, or heart. Everything happens for a

reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck.

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer

stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.

 

Without the small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a

smoothly paved straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and

comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless. The people you meet

who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience,

help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad

experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the

most poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays

you, or breaks your heart forgive them, for they have helped you

learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to when you

open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally,

not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are

teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those

moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to

experience it again.

 

Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually

listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights

high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself

you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't

believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

 

You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life

and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets. Most

importantly, if you love someone tell them, for you never know what

tomorrow may have in store. And learn a lesson in life each day and

everyday.

 

ooo000ooo