Don't Postpone Happiness

It is funny, and pretty sad, how many of us postpone being happy until some event ... any event ... is finished in our lives. For instance, when my children were very young and busy, I would look forward to a time when I wouldn't have to run around, herding them this way and that. I reserved my happiness some time in the future - for that day when I wouldn't be so tied down at home and they could walk on their own. I thought that I would be happy when money wasn't so scarce, or when Dana was finished with school. I longed for the day when I could really enjoy an intelligent conversation with my kids - some day in the future when they were much older. When that day came, I would find myself wishing for the day when they would grow out of their "sassy" stage and give me the respect I deserved.

If we aren't careful, we postpone our happiness until our lives have passed us by! As the years have progressed, I have made a real effort to try to enjoy the present. After all, this moment will never come my way again!

As Dana and I were talking last night, I was telling him how I used to really love the spring when I lived in California. The spring wildflowers were absolutely beautiful in northern California where I grew up. I have to guard against discouragement during the springtime in Utah - one day it can be gloriously warm, with the bright green grass sprouting up, buds on the trees, and hope filling the air... then the next day we can get twelve inches of snow! Yes, I'm talking about last week. As a person who loves the warm weather, this can be downright depressing.

This week, I've been concentrating on being "present" today, in this moment. I find focusing on gratitude for what is now helps me do just this. So, for today's blog, I'm going to list five things for which I'm grateful, even though they may not be totally apparent on the outside.

1. I'm grateful for snow. You read that right.... It is God's way of preserving water for the summer, when we can water our gardens and flowers. I almost forgot to mention all snow preserving that lovely water for the lakes I love to ski on!

2. I'm thankful for abundant and healthy food. Even though I struggle daily with my urge to eat too much, I am so grateful I don't have to wonder where my next meal is coming from. I have access to fresh produce or even canned goods and other preserves that keep my body healthy.

3. I'm thankful for work. I have a secure job! Although I do have more work than I can keep up with these days, what could be better than getting paid for sharing my talents and knowledge? Included in this gratitude is the fact that I also get to take classes as a benefit of my employment. Learning new things brings me joy.

4. I'm grateful for the change of seasons. If I didn't experience winter, I would never appreciate the other seasons - summer would not feel quite as wonderful if the climate never changed.

5. I'm thankful for aches and pains. My body warns me when I've done too much, if I'm getting sick, if I'm taking too much stress internally, if I'm getting too close to a fire, or any number of things. Aches and pains are a warning to quit doing something that will hurt us. I'm thankful for God's warning system.

So, the next time we find ourselves wishing time away, thinking we will be happy after some event or stage is over... STOP! Stop and realize that the time to be happy is now. Right now, when you are mucking through the hard stuff. After all, that's what life is made up of.