Life is Obstacles!
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another.
Then we are frusturated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that we're frusturated 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 find a better job, when we get a nice car, when we buy a nicer home, when we 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, "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 and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your precious 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 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 you car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or the 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.
Thoughts for the day:
Work like you don't need money. Love like you've never been hurt. And dance like no one's watching.
THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
The mess to clean up because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
The taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed or making money on my own.
The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
My shadow that watches me me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
All the complaining I hear about the government because it means we have freedom of speech.
The space I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking. My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
A lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means I can hear.
The piles of laundry and ironing becuase it means I have clothes to wear.
Weariness and aching muscles at the the end of the day because it means I have been productive.
An alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I'm alive.
Getting too much e-mail bogs me down, but at least I know I have friends and even strangers who are thinking of me!
Submitted by Julian Wick, Ed.D.
Email: Dennick@email.msn.com