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 life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we can 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 challenges. It’s best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy. One of my favorite quotes is from Alfred 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 way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, a debt to be paid. The 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 o way to happiness. Happiness IS the way. With that in mind, treasure every moment that you have. And share that time with the special people in your life … and remember that time waits for no one.

So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids move out, until you start working, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until your car or home is paid off, until you get a new car or home, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you’re 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 decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

WORK LIKE YOU DON’T NEED THE MONEY

LOVE LIKE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN HURT

AND DANCE LIKE NO ONE’S WATCHING.

Visit Crystal's website at www.crystalboyd.com.