Stories of Kindness from Around the World

No Better Time Than Now To Be Happy


--by warmth, posted Jan 1, 2010

"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” 

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Readers Comments

MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: May the journey remind everyone to FEEL LIFE!
helpinghand wrote: Beautiful post with a great message.It has really touched my heart.I am going to keep this in my diary.
Keep Smiling.
helpinghand wrote: Beautiful post with a great message.It has really touched my heart.I am going to keep this in my diary.
Keep Smiling.
cabbagepatch wrote: How very true. Most of us go along way in life before we realize this is our Happiness journey.
Ashly wrote: I really need this.It taught me to live life at present and try to be happy with whatever we do now.I will definetely improve myself.Thanks for opening my eyes.
Keep Smiling Angel:)
springerchick wrote: Live life, laugh, love, there's no better time than now! Happy new year everybody!
Kendrastubear wrote: I loved this piece so much that i posted on my facebook page. I am hoping it will make others more aware of this fantastic site and the smile cards.
bcbacon84 wrote: Thank you for elequently putting priorities into perspective. This summer, i found myself randomly smiling and appreciating my life. It is a gift to love your life. When you love your life, you love others!
cabbage wrote: Wow. That is so well put! I do try to live my life with no regrets, and feel happy in the moments that make up my day. Lots of love and hugs to you, and gratitude for sharing this wonderful post!
athens wrote: I love it. I needed to read this.

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