Dawdling around on the internet I ran across a quote that I'd read before, which has a quote that I'd heard before in it, which is part of a quote that I've read before, which is what I long ago realized my life is.

Happiness is a journey

Crystal Boyd
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are 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 will certainly be happy when they are 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 favourite 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 are 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 are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.

Happiness is a journey not a destination.

Work like you don't need money.
Love like you've never been hurt,
and dance like no one's watching.
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery.
Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present.
Live and savor every moment...
this is not a dress rehearsal!

I remember I knew I was gay when I was 11 years old. It wasn't something I totally accepted but rather hoped I could be in control of. When I came to terms with the fact that I couldn't still I did not come Out. Rather I put my nose to the grindstone and finished a five-year degree in four years. Then I moved home. I certainly didn't want to come out then but I had to many, yet my parents didn't know. I moved out and bought a house and still I didn't come out. Sometime down the road I realized that I wouldn't be able to hide it from them forever and at the same time my happiness was not connected to their acceptance.

I believe we all go through a process where we put up challenges to ourselves and say "There, right there over the horizon is your happiness." The lucky among us realize the journey is the reward and that we are is total control of our happiness. I am grateful every day that I have learned this.