If you're just joining us, IWSG is a great hop, started by Alex J. Cavanaugh, that has grown by leaps and bounds. Check out the blog for a full list of participants, and to sign up yourself!
Hard to believe we're about halfway through the year already. It seems like just yesterday I was snuggled under a blanket while the ice storm raged outside, and now I'm standing under or near every fan I can find in an attempt to stay cool! It's becoming more and more difficult to take a moment to just breathe and to enjoy the days as they pass.
As our lives grow ever-busier, it's easy to overlook the everyday joys that occur. For a lot of people, this means they start to pin happiness on some future event.
"I'll be happy when I get an agent."
"I'll be happy when I get published."
"I'll be happy when my book sells X number of copies."
I'm just as guilty of doing this as the next person. But the problem with this attitude is that you keep pushing your happiness into the future, rather than grabbing onto it with both hands right now. "I'll be happy when," is self-defeating, because it's an ever-elusive goal. You're constantly moving the goalposts, and you can never win.
"Sure, I just signed with an agent, but I'll be happy when I have a contract for my book."
I'm not saying we shouldn't have goals or benchmarks to strive towards. But I think it's a mistake to decide that our happiness depends on meeting them. Rather than focusing on future happiness, why not take some time to celebrate the joys in your life right now?
Timely post. Thank you!
ReplyDeletePerfectly said!
ReplyDeleteHaving goals is wonderful, but living in the moment and appreciating our current achievements, family, life, etc is just—if not more—important. :)
Agreed! It's so hard to live in the now.
ReplyDeleteIWSG #215 until Alex culls the list again.
Great post. I've spent my life postponing my happiness on some future event. It's exhausting and takes all the fun out of the journey. This was a great reminder to live in the present.
ReplyDeleteIt's true--and then when those things happen, we enjoy them briefly, but put out there another, "if only I could..." that is out there a ways. We definitely need to appreciate the journey!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have to learn to enjoy the now. Now is all we have.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I'm going to celebrate right now, with cheese. Such awesome thoughts, Laura. I'm always living for the future.
ReplyDeleteSuch a good reminder!! I'm definitely guilty of that. I'll try to enjoy the present more!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, everyone! Glad you enjoyed the post! :)
ReplyDeleteI think it was my Japanese teacher or my therapist who said, "With one foot on the future and one foot on the past, we pee on the present." Either we are worrying about what tomorrow will bring, or as you say, postponing happiness, or we are suffering over things that are already history. Present is all that counts. Dragon Hugs!
ReplyDeleteLara, so true! And that you for the reminder!!
ReplyDeleteI admit meeting goals makes me happy. I truly feel I have found my niche. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette