[Wondergirl]

(In 1997, during a horrible time in her life, Crystal wrote this piece in an email to a few friends. Forwarded and altered over time, this article has touched millions of people around the globe. It has been used in sermons, self-help books, weddings and funerals. It was published in her small press book, "Midnight Muse" in 2000.)

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We convince ourselves that life will be better after we

get married,

have a baby,

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then have 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,

when we are able to go on a nice vacation,

when we retire.

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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.

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 you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time… 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 leave the house,

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– until you start work,
– until you retire,
– until you get married,
– until you get divorced,
– until Friday night,
– until Sunday morning,
– until you get a new car/home,
– until your car or home is paid off,
– until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter,

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– until you are 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.

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[Alty]

Great post! I can't wait to read it to my husband.