I was once asked by a wise man, "Son, are you happy?"
I half smiled and responded, "I'm alright."
The man regarded me for a moment as if he could see right through me and asked, "Just alright, huh? Tell me, when do you plan on being happy?"
I chuckled a bit and said, "Well, you know, when things actually start workin' out for me."
The man paused for a moment, obviously displeased with my answer. He then asked me, "Son, How in the world will you be happy then if you are not happy now?"
"I'm not sure I understand," I said, unsure of where he was going with this.
"Let me explain, the man said, "You and I are here right now speaking with each other. We are not existing in the past, nor in the future. We exist now!"
"Okay?" I said, still not quite understanding.
Seeing the confusion on my face, the man continued, "You, my friend, are striving to live in the future. You are hoping for happiness; looking forward to it, even. Yet, you forget that you can be happy now, even amidst all the struggles you currently face. Our future is based off the lessons we learn in the present. If you do not learn to be happy now, I can promise you, you will not be happy then!
I fought to hold back the single tear falling down my cheek, with no avail, as my new friend finished lecturing me. All I said as I looked him directly in the eyes was, "Thank you!"
He tipped his hat to me and said, "My pleasure!" as he got up and walked away.
I thought long and hard about these words from a wise man who understood what life is truly all about. I learned that life is about those happy moments we are living in now. Yes, we live for the future and the happiness it will bring. But, we must learn to be happy now before we can be happy then!
Thomas Stanley Jr
