It’s an early morning over here.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I can’t sleep after I watch American Horror Story. Throughout the night, I kept waking up from terrifying dreams.
When will I learn? Probably never, since I keep doing these things to myself.
I’m getting ready for an appointment and likely spending the day with my Sister. First, I need coffee, stat.
****
Let’s chat the future today.
* breakfast makes me happy *
We all make plans of what we’d like our future to look like.
Even when meeting friends, we’re constantly bombarded with questions from people. “What do you want to do with your future? How do you see yourself in the future?”
When people ask me my desires, dreams and plans, I’m often left puzzled.
I know that I have certain goals regarding the future, but if I were to all of a sudden rich and famous or working my dream job, it still wouldn’t give me true happiness if I’m not happy in the present. Even if my financial, physical or educational situation changes, I’m still the same person on the inside.
* holiday teas make me happy *
A lot of people have a mindset that if “x changes I’ll finally be happy”.
Meanwhile, we are unhappy in that moment and life passes by us, as we wait for that “moment” when we’ll be happy.
The truth is, there isn’t a better place to be happy than right now! If you’re not happy now, when will you be?
Our happiness ultimately lies in how we perceive our lives.
Life isn’t one specific path; we have to face many changes and challenges. Happiness comes with us through all these challenges, changes and hard times we ultimately face.
* kabocha squash makes me happy *
I feel like there is so much focus on the future that we don’t enjoy the present moments.
We plan our futures too much, that we miss moments of joy in our journey to the future.
I don’t believe we’ll truly find our path in life until we can let go of all those plans and put more focus into being grateful and happy for the person we are today.
Yes, I’ll always wonder what my future looks like, I’m a planner at heart. However, I know that I’ll end up where I’m supposed to be.
Most importantly, I won’t continue to think that things need to change for happiness to occur because I love who I am now.
Today, I choose to be happy with who and where I am.
What’s one thing making you happy today?
Have a fantastic Thursday all!
About Lisa
Great post Lisa, and I couldn’t agree more! I often get caught up worrying about every little thing to the point where I can’t enjoy everything. Lately, every night before bed I tell myself “Worrying about that will not change the situation. The universe has a plan for you. It will all work out.” And then I sleep better than I ever have.
Thank you for the inspiring read as always!
Yes, I love that saying! I’m going to start using that! Love you friend!
Another beautiful wise post!! I wish I had that wisdom when I was your age – you rock girl! I always get asked when I will get married and finally give birth to some children (I am 34 so they probably think I should hurry up). I don’t know IF and when that will happen and I am perfectly happy with that. You can’t plan nature’s decisions anyway! Happy Thursday ma belle!
Exactly! I completely agree. You are too kind Lucie:)
One thing that makes me happy today is it’s Thursday and almost the weekend!!! yay!!!
Love! You are so wise.
I’m grateful for reading thoughtful posts like this before my day begins.
Thank you Jo!
Definitely a wise post! People think way to much about what’s going to happen in the future and what their future self will need. We need to focus on the now and making ourselves happy in the moment!
So true!
BEAUTIFUL! Amen to it all. I’m so happy that you’re getting there. I see so much inside of you. It’s PRESENT. Channel it and freakin’ love it. I love youuu.
Love YOU
I lovelovelove this!!! Sooo true <3333
My dog makes me happy all the time!
Love this! I actually have been thinking the same thing..I’ve been busting my butt so much studying for school that I’ve ended up skipping the gym a lot which is something I LOVE. I just realized that it’s not worth it to give up a little piece of my happiness for one more hour of studying. I’m glad that you’re able to find happiness in TODAY!
So glad you took away the message of this post! That makes me happy!
What a great post and so very true. If we are not able to live happily in our current lives how are we ever going to know how to be happy in our future. It’s always fun to hope and dream about the future but there is so much more value to creating those feelings we want to get from the future in the present !
Exactly. It’s fun to dream, but also keep in mind our future isn’t where our happiness lies, its right now!
This is SO TRUE!! I have always been someone who is focused on getting where I want in the future and not focusing on enjoying the present. Even in an ED context, it was “if I deprive myself and kick my ass at the gym now, I can be skinny and happy in the future.” Gooooood plan, Devon, NOT!
My philosophy lately is that if you are doing something that fulfills you and makes you happy in the present, it is probably leading you somewhere equally happy and fulfilling in the future. Love the post, Lisa. xoxo
I used to totally be the same, I’m thankful I’m past that now! What a great philosophy Devon!
i love this post because it really highlights how we should live in the moment and get as much as we can out of it. I forget this a lot
Glad you liked the post Alex:)
Yum your breakfast looks so goo. I think I’ll make toast right now.
Today I’m happy that the sun is shining and that I’m going to go for a run.
I love the idea that happiness shouldn’t be based on things or other people, because they may go away or leave. Happiness should come from within because that’s under your control. Another great post!
Thanks Carly!
‘ Your time is NOW’.<- this is something i tell myself, my friends, my family, quite a lot- whenever we are wishing, & telling ourselves, that we'll be happier, better, etc, when 'X' happens, I just say STOP. Our time is now. I think this phrase works whatever age we are.
'Our happiness lies in how we perceive our lives'- I <3 that! Because you're so right, we all choose our own thoughts and feelings, so it's our responsibility to make them POSITIVE ones.
Today, I'm pretty happy about my new space heater:), without it I'd be dang chilly right now.
Xxx
So trueeee! Love your comment! And yes, our time is now! Love that saying! I love my space heater too! I don’t know what I’d do without that thing.
ah i can’t watch anything scary!! i’m the biggest scaredy cat ever!!! itz thursday and that makes me happy!
Great reminder! I love that we live in a time where people have several careers and the possibilities are limitless!
Totally agree! Happiness is. It a destination, it’s part of the journey. Life doesn’t last forever and it would be terrible to always be living for tomorrow and waste the here and now. I try and find happiness every day, even if it’s something small and silly like someone saying my hair looks nice today hehe.
*isnt a destination
(Whoops)
Adore your comment. So true. Happiness is part of the journey. So great! I agree small comments can be the best.
I love this post! You should live every day to it’s fullest and try make every single day your best. Even if you are having a bad day, there is no harm in making the most out of it.
Definitely agree Katy!
This is lovely! Seriously, last year thinking about my future absolutely drove me nuts. My anxiety about it was a HUGE fuel to the fire for my worst relapse ever. I literally couldn’t see how I would be happy until x and x and x lined up, and I was starting to really doubt that any of that would happen.
Now, none of those things I was trying so hard to make happen are going to, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I’ve learned to appreciate how great my life really is right now. Sitting on this couch in my pjs about to go to yoga class then cook dinner with a friend–can it really get better than that?
Thanks for this my dear!
xoxo
I have felt so similar! And I also suffered from a bad relapse. And now I totally agree with you, I’m so happy even though I don’t have everything planned out. Funny how life works like that! That is pretty dang lovely!
Such a great post, Lisa! One of my favorite quotes goes something like: “The secret to happiness is to count your blessings while others are busy adding up their sorrows,” and it’s so, SO true. If we just stop a moment to notice all of the wonderful things about our lives instead of obsessing over what we think we’re missing, we’d be a whole heck of a lot happier. I’m all for making progress and being motivated to attain certain goals, but I don’t think that should cause us to become dissatisfied with who we are at any given moment.
That’s such a great quote! Totally saving that to my quote file (haha). And it is SO true!
Reading this lovely post and doing yoga made me happy
You are so wise! We always need to remember that we get to choose our reactions and if we are going to choose to be content and happy where we are!
Breakfast makes me happy too! Is it bad that I literally get excited about a potential breakfast that I have planned the night before I eat it?? It is almost always something yummy to look forward to!
I do the same thing Hannah!
LOVE this, Lisa!! I couldn’t agree more–a constant search for happiness is only a ticket to unhappiness. When we’re living in the future, we’re not able to enjoy all the wonderful things happening in the present! I think it’s important to have goals and plan ahead, however there’s only so much we can control in life. It’s much more fulfilling to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
One of my favorite quotes of all time is this:
“For a long time it 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.
at last it dawned on me that these obstacles
were my life. this perspective has helped me
to see there is no way to happiness.
happiness is the way. so treasure every moment
you have and remember that time waits for no one.
HAPPINESS IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION.”
<3 <3 <3 xoxoxoxo
Fantastic quote! Saving it. It’s so true. My life has changed so much now that I don’t put so much focus in the future and seeing happiness only then. Not true!
This is *exactly* what I needed right now
Perfect timing!
Thanks for this post. It really made me think about my happiness. What made me happy today was going to the mall to a special midnight opening. Got a christmas coffee, there was live music and I just browsed through the shops on my own. And I felt really happy
this is so very true, Lisa and for me has been the KEY TO CONTENTMENT.
being happy with what I have
right now
in this moment.