Choosing to be Happy Today

Many years ago when Denny and I were just dating, his grandmother died suddenly in a car accident. He felt so bad for his mother, because night after night he’d find her crying for her mother, saying if only she had been happier while she was alive. This made such an impression on me. All that unhappiness in a mother and her daughter. How sad is that. I knew for sure I never wanted anyone feeling bad for me because I was never happy.

To a certain extent I think it’s human nature to postpone our happiness. There are just so many reasons we will be happy later.

It can begin in childhood. I’ll be happy when:

• Summer vacation starts
• Santa brings me that new game or bike
• I get to high school
• I get a part in the play
• I get asked to go to prom

The cycle continues as adults. My life will be so much better:

• When I lose some weight
• When I get a better job
• When I find someone who loves me
• When my health improves
• When my kids are older
• When I get out of debt
• When my business takes off
• When I can travel
• When I retire
• When I get married
• When I get a divorce

Don’t get me wrong. It’s great to have goals. We need goals and things to look forward to. It’s more about finding the joy in the journey as you work toward your goals.

It’s so easy to get stuck waiting for some outside force to make us happy. If you hate your job, what are you doing about it? If you can’t make yourself take steps toward doing something else, why not? I know it’s not easy if you are the main breadwinner. But maybe you can take an online class, or start a side hustle. We are only stuck if we allow it by being afraid to take the steps necessary to change. Maybe you have a friend or family member or even a life coach you can ask for advice. Sometimes it takes an outsider to see through our excuses and make suggestions when we are too close to the problem. Once you take some positive action, it’s so much easier to find the joy in your life.

Of course at times we get dealt some really difficult situations. Change is scary. But every day I see how some people get sucked into a spiral of negativity, and others start the day with gratitude. We are meant to enjoy the journey, as much as the destination. Life is short. Stop postponing your joy. What is keeping you from being happy today? Are you brave enough to do something about it?

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