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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 favourite 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 unfini

shed 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 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 are 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 and decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy! Happiness is a journey, not a destination."

Thought for the day:
Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching.

20 Ways to Find, Sustain, and Share Happiness
Megan R. McDonough 12/8/2002

The Dalai Lama says that we all share one common aspiration: we all want to be
happy; no one wants to suffer. This universal desire binds us together. At some
point the realization dawns that no matter how big the paycheck is, no matter
how many degrees we get, no matter how nice the house and the white picket fence
is, none of it can assure happiness.

What is it that does bring lasting happiness, no matter what the circumstance?
The ancient poet and mystic Rumi gives us a clue when he says, “Work in the
invisible world at least as hard as you do in the visible.” The invisible world
is within you, and it’s where lasting happiness resides.

Here are some suggestions for working in the invisible realm:

Look closely at what causes lasting happiness. Buying a new sweater might feel
good for a moment or two, but looking closely you see that that sooner or later
all new stuff loses its appeal, growing old and mundane. Reinforce in your mind
that happiness is not the result of accumulating goods.

Savor the moment. When your child gives you a bear hug, live that experience
fully, whilenoticing every little detail. The same holds true for the boring
meeting that’s putting you to sleep. As Leo Buscaglia, the author of Love, says,
“Braille your world.” Being mindful doesn’t mean things will be good, just that
you are aware of them as they are, without judgment.

Expand your awareness. See new perspectives by challenging your own beliefs.
Expand your horizons by asking yourself, “What if…”.

Play. Between work, family, and grocery shopping, finding time to play can be
just another chore. Forget picking up that gallon of milk on the way home from
work today. Instead, tickle your children.

Practice gratitude. Focus your mind on all that you already possess, relegating
that feeling of “needing more” to its proper place. If it works for Oprah, it
works for me.

Follow the yes path. Margaret Wheatley, best-selling author of Leadership and
the New Science, says that when events call out yes, follow that path. It’s
certainly easier than banging your head against the wall.

Take time for self-reflection. Since childhood, we’ve been asked, “What do you
want to be when you grow up?” A much better question to ask is “How do I want to
be?”

Choose to live your values. After reflecting on your personal values, instill
them in your everyday actions.

Experiment. Philosopher Nietzsche said, “Life is a thousand times too short for
us to bore ourselves.” Give yourself permission to try something different,
without obsessing over the outcome.

Listen. Get your mind off your own problems by lending an ear to hear others.

Stay present. As the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn has recommended in his many
books, when you wash the dishes, just wash the dishes. The mind’s habit is to
rehearse what the future holds or re-run life by mulling over past events. This
moment is where life actually is lived.

Smile. It’s such a simple way to change your inner landscape and connect with
others.

Know that life is finite. You are not guaranteed a tomorrow. Your life is
precious. Live it fully.

Happiness is here, in this moment. George Bernard Shaw said, “Life isn’t about
finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” Know that there is nothing
to magically “find” for happiness; it’s created through you.

Notice your breath. It’s not difficult to simply notice the air entering your
body and then watching it exit, but it has a powerful effect. Use it to re-focus
from the hectic outside world to an attitude of mindfulness.

Give. Whether you gift the gift of time, money, or knowledge, sharing transforms
the mind.

Your path to happiness is uniquely yours. Thomas Merton said, “Looking for God
is like seeking a path in a field of snow; if there is no path and you are
looking for one, walk across the field and there is your path.” It’s the same
for happiness; you make your own path.

Drop the guilt trip. Go ahead and have a night out with a friend. See the sappy
show that your husband wouldn’t be caught dead at.

Spend time in nature. Get out of a world lit by fluorescent lights and divided
by cubicles. Take a walk in the woods. At the very least put a plant in your
office.

Go to bed early. Never underestimate the power of a good nights sleep.

Joseph Campbell, who is best known for his forays into Mythology, cited a
Polynesian saying to describe the state of humanity: “We are standing on a
whale, fishing for minnows.”