Annotating my favorite quotes

Happiness

Some children can’t wait until they grow up so they can be in better control of their wants. Teenagers often have conflicts with their parents, teachers and sometimes the challenges of being in a group of their peers in school will make them wish for the day they graduate so they can be on their own, doing what they want to do. Growing into adulthood, we sometimes convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then maybe another. After certain toddlers learn to back-talk we can get frustrated that these kids just aren't old or wise enough to appreciate their parents and that we parents might be more content when they are grown and out of the house. After the toddlers get big, I mean really big, we're frustrated that we have teenagers that we have to deal with. That age somehow can cause some real problems. We sometimes have to tell ourselves that we certainly will be happy when they're out of that stage. Some of us tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together or when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on that dream vacation, or we’ll truly be happy when we retire. The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. Life will always be filled with challenges. 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 way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or 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 we all share it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with...and remember that time waits for no one. This can be a spouse, a best friend, a parent or a sibling. That special someone may even be a total stranger met in passing, sharing a conversation or even a passing smile. So, stop waiting until: You finish school. You get married. You lose ten pounds. You gain ten pounds. You have kids. Your kids leave the house. You start to work. You get married. You get divorced. You retire. Friday night. Sunday morning. You get a new car. You get that new home. Your car or home is paid off. Spring, summer, fall or winter arrives. The first or fifteenth of the month. Your song comes on the radio. You've had a drink You've sobered up. You die. Or, you're born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a choice, not something that happens to us. Thought for the day, and I’m sure you’ve heard this one before: Work like you don't need money. Love like you've never been hurt. And dance like no one's watching. There’s always an Angel to watch over you. Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people become friends and stay a while leaving beautiful footprints on our hearts and we are never quite the same because we have made a good friend! Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present! I think life is special and all life is unique. Live and savor every moment.