Here's a full version:
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,or 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 anyway.
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 with...and remember that time
waits for no one.
So, stop waiting
--until your car or home is paid off
--until you get a new car or home
--until your kids leave the house
--until you go back to school
--until you lose ten pounds
--until you gain ten pounds
--until you finish school
--until you get a divorce
--until you get married
--until you have kids
--until you retire
--until summer
--until spring
--until winter
--until fall
--until you die
There is no better time than RIGHT NOW to be happy.
Happiness is a JOURNEY, not a destination.
So -- work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching.
or here's another one:
[font=VERDANA,HELVETICA][font=VERDANA,HELVETICA]DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING[/font][/font]
[font=VERDANA,HELVETICA][font=VERDANA,HELVETICA] My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and lifted
out a tissue- wrapped package. "This," he said, "is not a slip. This is
lingerie." He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was
exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag
with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. "Jan bought this the
first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore
it. She was saving it for a special occasion.[/font][/font]
[font=VERDANA,HELVETICA][font=VERDANA,HELVETICA] Well, I guess this is the occasion." He took the slip from me and put it on
the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands
lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut
and turned to me. "Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every
day you're alive is a special occasion.[/font][/font]
[font=VERDANA,HELVETICA][font=VERDANA,HELVETICA] I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed
when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an
unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane returning to California
from the Midwestern town where my sister's family lives. I thought about
all the things that she hadn't seen or heard or done. I thought about the
things that she had done without realizing that they were special.[/font][/font]
[font=VERDANA,HELVETICA][font=VERDANA,HELVETICA] I'm still thinking about his words, and they've changed my life. I'm
reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting on the deck and admiring the
view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time
with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.[/font][/font]
[font=VERDANA,HELVETICA][font=VERDANA,HELVETICA] Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to savor, not
endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. I'm not
"saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special
event-such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first
camellia blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market if I like it. My
theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of
groceries without wincing. I'm not saving my good perfume for special
parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that
function as well as my party-going friends. "Someday" and "one of these
days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or
hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.[/font][/font]
[font=VERDANA,HELVETICA][font=VERDANA,HELVETICA] I'm not sure what my sister would've done had she known that she wouldn't
be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think she would have
called family members and a few close friends. She might have called a few
former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to
think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food. I'm
guessing -I'll never know.[/font][/font]
[font=VERDANA,HELVETICA][font=VERDANA,HELVETICA] It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew
that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends
whom I was going to get in touch with - someday. Angry because I hadn't
written certain letters that I intended to write - one of these days. Angry
and sorry that I didn't tell my husband often enough how much I truly love
him. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that
would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open
my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every
breath truly is a gift from God.[/font][/font]
[font=VERDANA,HELVETICA][font=VERDANA,HELVETICA] You've got to dance like nobody's watching, and love like it's never going
to hurt.... "People say true friends must always hold hands, but true
friends don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will
always be there."[/font][/font]
[font=VERDANA,HELVETICA][font=VERDANA,HELVETICA] Enjoy the moment.[/font][/font]
