Do you live under any of the following assumptions?
- When I have enough money, I will be happy.
- When I accomplish this goal, I will be happy.
- When this aspect of my circumstances changes, I will be happy.
- When I move there, I will be happy.
- When I regain my health, I will be happy.
- When I lose weight, I will be happy.
- When I get married, I will be happy.
- When I get divorced, I will be happy.
- When I am out of debt, I will be happy.
- When I am the boss, I will be happy.
- When I have children, I will be happy.
- When I have a job, I will be happy.
- When I have a better job, I will be happy.
- When I win, I will be happy.
- When I ..............................., I will be happy.
I do not wish to challenge your goals. Many of the goals I listed above are great things to work towards and you may have some very worthwhile goals I did not list. It is good to have goals. It is great to be ambitious.
The thing I want to challenge is your assumption, 'If only this or that, whatever that may be, you will be happy. It is not true.
You will not find happiness there if you do not have it here!
There is nothing wrong with your goal. It is what you assume you will find when you accomplish the goal, that is a mistake. You are chasing a carrot that will not deliver what you hope it will deliver. The carrot is a good thing to find and it will add value to your meal, but it will not change your heart.
Life is like a long race. The moments on the podium are fleeting. If you do not enjoy the running, your joys will be few and far between. I want to suggest the following to you today.
1. Stop! Get off the wheel!
Stop chasing right now. You can take up the pursuit of your goals again later, for the right reasons. Today you stop right where you are.
2. Take a look around.
Assess where you are. Take a good look at where you are, what you are, what you have and what you are facing. Look at the good and the bad, the fun and the struggle, the joy and the sadness. Don't look forward at how it is going to be or how you hope it will be. Carefully consider how your life is right now.
3. Find happiness right where you are.
Once you have a clear picture of where you are, find a way to be happy right there. Figure it out as if nothing is going to change. Life is beautiful right where you are. Every breath you take is an opportunity to enjoy that moment. Things are not what they ought to be, yes. But I encourage you strongly to find joy in this moment. It may be the most important thing you do, ever!
4. Look up
You may look at your dreams and your goals again now, as you are off the hamster wheel. Decide again what is truly important. Start doing the work and taking the steps to accomplish your goals and possess your dreams. This time you make sure you enjoy every step and every moment as you pursue them.
Life is now! Not tomorrow. Now! Find joy in the journey!
