Want more happiness? Here's how.
If you're waiting for more money, a relationship to improve, a promotion, a purchase or an event before you are able to be happy, you're in for a big disappointment.
I've learned over the years that happiness is never in the future, it is only in the present. Right now is our only opportunity to be happy.
“The past is gone and the future isn’t promised. Happiness can only be realized in the moment”
A few years ago, I was struggling to forgive someone who had betrayed me. I sought counsel from a mentor and shared my desire for revenge and my unwillingness to forgive.
I'll never forget what he told me.
"Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and waiting for the rat to die."
That has stuck with me through the years and has even helped me put other things in perspective, like happiness.
Waiting for something outside of yourself to be happy, is a lot like drinking the poison and waiting for the rat to die. The rat gets to live and you, well, you die. Unhappy.
There will always be an opportunity to wait for something. A little more money, another promotion, some event. When you get it, you're happy for a little while. Then, you start waiting on the next thing.
It's ok to strive for the best you can obtain. To want better relationships and more money but please, don't let those things stall your happiness. Look around you, there is so much to be thankful for.
DON'T DRINK THE POISON! Decide to be happy in this moment.