I’ll Be Happy When…

How many times in our lives do we think this: “I’ll be happy when _________.”? When you get that degree, when your business is finally up and running, when you finally own a home, when you meet “the one”, when you’re married and settled down, when you get that dream job…the list goes on and on. So many of us, so often put our happiness on hold because we are waiting for this magical thing to happen that will supposedly make everything wonderful. News flash – that’s not how it works.

Happiness cannot be dependent on another person, thing, goal or experience. And here’s the good old phrase I’m sure we’re all tired of hearing: happiness has to come from within. I had to throw it in there because as annoying as it is, its true. Did you ever think that maybe sometimes we have to save ourselves…from ourselves?

Take a step back and stop thinking so hard about the future and look at what you already have. What do you have to be grateful for? You’ve got you, your mind and spirit, body and soul. You’ve got loved ones, maybe a pet, maybe a job that allows you to live your life and work towards your dreams. You can’t keep waiting for prince charming or some head hunter to come and make everything pretty. That’s part of your process and your journey and we need to learn to enjoy each of ours every step of the way.

I’m writing about this topic, because I myself am still very much working on it. But more and more it’s coming up as an obvious roadblock to happiness as I grow, figure out my new goals and reach toward them. Putting the present first is the key to happiness – take time to be thankful for what you do have, how far you’ve already gotten, and know that the world won’t end if your goal takes a little longer or eventually morphs into something else.

Again, still working on it myself. It’s no easy feat, but if you can just learn to look around you and flow, you can enjoy your journey just as much as your desired destination.