Dance Like No One Is Watching

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then 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 of 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 challanges. 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 the way, something do 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 that 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 that time waits for no one...

So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you loose ten pounds, until you gain ten pound, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, 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 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 decied that there is no better time than right now to be happy...

Happiness is a journey, 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 is watching."

I love this short little thought. Some of my friends lately have been saying that they wish they were different, or had done things differently, or this or that...and I've always said that life is a journey and to enjoy the ride. How true that is.
We need to be thankful and happy for the here and now in life. Yesterday is past and we can't do much about that, and who knows if we will be here tomorrow, but we are here today and today is a gift that is why it is called "present".

My mission president, Presidente Conforte, is a wise and wonderful man and I'm so thankful for the things he taught me while I was on my mission. There was a period of time at the start of my mission (I'd been out a few short months) when I was having a hard time with something, and he made a comment that I have tried to apply to every aspect of my life. He asked if I was doing the best that I could do? I replied, "of course". He repeated the question again and then said, "the only thing the Lord requires of us is to do our best for that day. Forget yesterday, and don't worry about the next day, but do your best today and the Lord will be pleased with you and what you are doing and trying to accomplish." Now he was refering to life in the mission field and that is different than everyday motherhood/wife/work world. However, the concept is the same. Think of today and do your best for today. That is all any of us can do.

So to all you friends out there wondering if you're good enough or thinking that you aren't: You are good enough! And I'm grateful to call you my friend.... And remember:

Dance Like No One Is Watching!!!