Am I the only one that may have a little destination addiction?

Did you know that’s a thing? It is and Wow! It’s such a trap. You should look it up.  I talk about this in Happy ANYWAY in the sixth chapter under If/Then Happiness a bit. 

Beware of Destination Addiction – a preoccupation with the idea that happiness is in the next place, the next job, and with the next partner. Until you give up the idea that happiness is somewhere else, it will never be where you are.

– Robert Holden, Ph.D.

This is something I have to reference back to a lot because I am always looking ahead and love a good plan. 

You should absolutely plan for things in the future—a new car or house, dropping a dress size or getting in shape, career goals or winning in some way. But take time also to enjoy your life as it is right now!  

 

This reminds me of a scripture — 

“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right–the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

‭‭MATTHEW‬ ‭6:33-34‬ ‭AMP‬‬

 

For those of us who are super driven and border on being workaholics, perhaps this scripture should become our theme verse.  Don’t worry so much about tomorrow. There is enough to focus on for today for sure. Be in the now. 

This is an idea I’ve had a lot lately….perhaps in all of our hurry to achieve we are missing opportunities right under our noses. Perhaps the real secret to success is doing NOW well. Enjoying NOW. Sucking all there is out of NOW. What good is rushing through the day to get to what? Another day to rush through? Endlessly racing to what? Our graves? Happiness is not a destination. It’s a decision to enjoy our joy each moment. God, help us get this! Help us really get this to embrace right now. 

Those who know me well will know this blog is pretty hypocritical of me to even write. This is not something I am good at. I’ve genuinely learned how to be happy ANYWAY despite many things. Even when I temporarily misplace my happiness typically when something doesn’t go my way, it usually only takes minutes for me to take a deep breath and remember “Oh yes, I can be happy ANYWAY no matter what.” But what I’m still grappling with is constantly feeling like there is some carrot out in front of me. Do you do this? I hear myself constantly say things like – “Once this is done I will be able to slow down.” That slow down season never seems to come. If I had to guess many of us are in that same {speed} boat! Life is so fast and demands on our time are endless. 

Here’s to enjoying the ride! Fast as it may be. Those of you who have figured out how to slow it down, good for you and maybe you can help the rest of us with that. But you know what? I’m going to stop looking out there or around the corner to be happy when it slows down. I’m focusing these days on enjoying my joy which is what it means to be happy right now in the middle of whatever is going on. Happy right now not if this or when that happens.  

Don’t get so caught up in the pursuit of happiness that you forget to feel happy on the way there! Joy in the journey!  

Happy Monday!