How's Now?

Weconvince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have ababy, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enoughand we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated thatwe have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they areout of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete whenour spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are ableto go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is, there's no bettertime to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will alwaysbe filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decideto be happy anyway.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred DSouza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was aboutto begin – real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way,something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time stillto be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last itdawned on me that these obstacles were my "life". This perspective hashelped 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 youshared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time…andremember that time waits for no one. So, stop waiting until you finishschool, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until yougain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house,until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until youget divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get anew car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, untilsummer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until thefirst 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 decidethat there is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is ajourney, not a destination. Thought for the day: Work like you don't needmoney, Love like you've never been hurt, And dance like no one'swatching.