What Are You Waiting For?

What changes will make you happy?  Finding a new job?  Getting an increase in pay?  Losing fifteen pounds?  Finding that special someone?  Seeing an economic upturn?

Many people are waiting for things to change so that they can be happy.  They are following the “when then” formula.   “When I get a new job or a raise, then things will be much better, and I will be happy.”  “When I lose fifteen pounds then I will feel better about myself, and I will be happy.”  “When I find that special someone then my life will be fulfilled, and I will be happy.”  When this economy turns around, then things will be a lot better and I will be happy.”

People are waiting to be happy.  But why wait?  You can choose to be happy right now, if you want to.  Let me explain.

Regardless of any situation in your life, there are many, many things that you can choose to be happy about.  The reason people are not happy is because of what they choose to think about and focus on.

If your mental focus is on what you don’t have right now, you are not going to be happy.  Your perspective of your current situation right now will determine your happiness.  Yes, we all face challenges in life, but it is how you choose to respond to those challenges that determine your happiness.

Let’s consider the economy.  I am an optimist.  I believe things will turn around.  I don’t know when, but I believe things will change for the better.  I don’t like where things are today, but I see brighter days ahead.

But, I can choose to be happy today about where I am and what I have right now.  I have food to eat every day.  I have a house to live in.   I have a vehicle.  I am healthy.

Are you getting the idea?  A great key to living a happy life is to be grateful for what you have right now, today.  It has nothing to do with accepting the circumstances as permanent and abandoning your dreams and goals. But it has everything to do with keeping a healthy, positive mindset.

The reason people are not happy is because of what they choose to think about and focus on.  If your mental focus is on how difficult or how bad your challenges are, you are not going to be happy.    On the other hand, if your mental focus is on what God has blessed you with and what He has promised you, then you can have happiness in your life despite the challenges and disappointments.

And guess what?  That kind of thinking will definitely increase your confidence in God to help you through any future challenges.  And that is a good thing.

I am thankful each day to be alive. Today I have been given another day to live.  Life is such a precious gift.  I choose to be grateful and happy for all that I have right now, today.  That choice helps me to have more confidence in God.

I don’t know about you but I have a list of things that I need to get done at my house.  There are big projects and small projects.  We all have things around the house that we need to get done and want to get done.  But is there ever a time when it is all done?  Is there ever nothing left to do?  Do we ever say, “Oh, good, now, I can really be happy in my house because everything is done!”

I like my house and I enjoy living in it, even though there are things that I need and want to get done.  But I don’t let those “projects” stop me from being happy living in my house.

Many people have put their happiness on hold. They believe that they will be happy after certain things happen:  after they get a better job or a raise, after they are out of debt, after the kids are grown and out of the house, or after they retire.  For those who are waiting for things to get better in their lives so that they can be happy and enjoy this life, they are really wasting their lives away.

Life will always have its ups and downs, its challenges, barriers, and at times some disappointments. This life we have been given to live now is not going to be perfect every day without any hitches.  But we can still choose to be happy.

There are two great keys in enjoying this life now.  The first is gratitude.  Be grateful for all that God has blessed you with right now, today.  Stop, take a look around and consider His blessings on your life.  Thank Him for His blessings.
Having gratitude from what He has done for you gets your mind into remembering and then expecting more of His blessings.

The second key to enjoying this life now is to make a decision to be happy with what you have right now, today.  Wherever you are and whatever you have, make a conscious effort to enjoy it and make the most of it right now, today.

When I go to bed at night, I don’t think, “Gee, the exterior of my house needs painting, but I guess that will never happen; I guess I better try and be happy about it.”

I enjoy my house everyday.  I look forward to getting it painted, but I am not going to wait until it is painted to enjoy it!  If I do, there will surely be something else that needs to be taken care of next, and I will live my days waiting to be happy.

Be grateful for all that God has done for you.  Look around and see His hand of blessing on your life.  Then, choose to enjoy whatever it is you have right now, today.  Live life to its fullest today, expecting great things for tomorrow!