Life is a series of lines in the sand; each represents a milestone, when achieved, will finally bring you happiness and contentment. I’ll be happy when…
- I’ll be happy when I earn my degree
- I’ll be happy when I land my first real job
- I’ll be happy when I start making real money
- I’ll be happy when I own my home
- I’ll be happy when I buy my first new car
- I’ll be happy when I lose 20 lbs
- I’ll be happy when…
On and on it goes, ad infinitum. Each of these is a lie we tell ourselves for the hope of what tomorrow could bring. We all need something to look forward to, otherwise, what’s the point?
The truth is, happiness and contentment are mercurial. It can’t be captured in a bottle and preserved forever in your wine cellar – and even if you could, would you really want to?
Try to remember the great times you had…
- I was happy when girls started to notice me
- I was happy when I stayed up all night with my friends
- I was happy when I quit a job I hated
- I was happy when I impaled myself on the tree of knowledge
- I was happy when I was a broke musician
- I was happy when I was 12,012.83 km from my place of birth
- I was happy when…
But don’t forget to take pleasure in the moment…
- I enjoy paying myself $75/week to lose weight by bringing my lunch
- I enjoy going for a 3-mile walk every night
- I enjoy my first cup of coffee every day
- I enjoy conversations with my friend Jim after work
- I enjoy laughing to politically incorrect humor
- I enjoy talking to strangers
- I enjoy making arbitrary lists…