Happiness Is Not the Goal

Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present. – Jim Rohn

Every so often, when I feel like I’m struggling to keep up with what’s going on in my life, I catch myself saying “I’ll be happy when this is over.” That’s when I have to remind myself that I can be happy right now – I don’t have to wait.

Sometimes it’s hard to be happy when there’s a situation right in front of you that you don’t like, and that you wish was different. You know what you don’t want. The trick is to find what you do want, and focus on that instead. Focusing and thinking about what you do want doesn’t magically make the unpleasant situation go away, but it does make you feel happier while it’s still there.

A friend of mine has been renovating a house, which has taken quite a while. She is waiting now for the painting to be done, and she will be able to move in. She could allow herself to be wrapped up in all the impatience and stress of getting everything organized to move, or she could focus on what it will feel like and look like once she’s there and enjoying her new home. She doesn’t have to wait to be happy. She can be happy now.

What do you think about this? Do you catch yourself waiting to be happy? Do you think focusing on what you want makes the present feel better? Leave a comment!

Until next time, remember… We are all magnificent.