It seems that every person's quest is to find happiness, peace, and joy in life. Isn't that true?

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, and then another. Then we're 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'll certainly be happy when they're 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, then when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. But how is this possible?

There is a popular quote 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 way. Something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, some time still to be served, some debt yet 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 peace and true contentment... real long lasting happiness... is unattainable as long as we depend upon ourselves or others to obtain it. Help is found in God through Jesus... for he IS the way, the truth, and the life. He wants us all to live abundant, fruitful lives full of prosperity and blessings. He helps us, in our thankfulness, to treasure each moment of every day.

When God is the source of love, mercy, and compassion, we have so much more to offer those who are close to us... our spouses, our children, our parents... as well as those who are in need... the sick, the homeless, the elderly.

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 leave the house, until you start work, until you retire from work, 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're off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, or until you've sobered up... to decide to be happy. Trust God for your happiness today.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present!

Thought for the day:
Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like nobody's watching.

With God all things are possible.