Crystal Boyd - Happiness Is a Journey

What are you waiting for? Live life to the fullest. We are not promised tomorrow, so enjoy today.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

We always convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, than 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 nice car, when we have our dream house, when we are able to go on a nice vocation, when we retire, when we win the lottery.

The truth is, there’s no better time than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It’s best to admit this to ourselves and decide to be happy right now.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred 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, 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. Recognize that each breath you take is a gift and be thankful. Remember that time waits for no one…So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose the weight, 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’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. So, work like you don’t need money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. And dance like no one’s watching.