專四晨讀美文：Happiness is a Journey

Happiness is a Journey
We convince ourselves that life will be better
after we get married, have a baby, then another.
Then we're 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'll certainly be happy when they're 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 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, or 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 with...
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 get 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're 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're born again to decide
that there is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
So, Work like you don't need money;
Love like you've never been hurt;
And dance like no one's watching.