Dance Like No One's Watching

I came across this commencement speech, I don't know who wrote it and I am not taking credit for it. But I will take credit for applying the wisdom derived from this speech. It is a life lesson I have sent to my daughters who struggled at various times while beginning their young adult lives. It must have made sense to them because it came back to me during a time when I had seemed to have lost my way, sent back with a heading that read "Some of Your Own Medicine". I now keep it posted in my office to remind me to live in and appreciate the moment. Enjoy!

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, than 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 the 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, 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 the 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...and remember. 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 retier, 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 the 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 that right now to be happy...

Happiness is a jouney, not a destination.

Thought for the day:

Work like you don't need the money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching!!!

Happy Monday everyone, Enjoy the day!