The enemy of happy moments isn’t bad moments – Feeling bad can be useful for change. The enemy is wanting the moment to be MORE than it is..
Imagine standing on the shore of a vast ocean, watching the waves roll in with a gentle rhythm. Each wave is a moment in your life, some big, some small, but each carrying its own unique energy. Now, consider this: the enemy of your happiness isn't those moments when things go wrong or when you feel down. No, surprisingly, it's not the stormy waves that threaten your contentment. Instead, it's the insidious desire for every moment to be extraordinary, to be more than what it naturally is.
Think about it this way: life is like a garden filled with different flowers, each blooming in its own time and way. Some days, you might encounter roses, vibrant and fragrant, filling your heart with joy. Other days, you might stumble upon thorns, prickly and uncomfortable, causing you pain. But therein lies the beauty of the garden - the contrast, the diversity, the ebb, and flow of life itself.
When we yearn for every moment to be a rose, we set ourselves up for disappointment. We become prisoners of our own expectations, constantly chasing after an elusive ideal of perfection. We forget that it's the imperfections, the flaws, and yes, even the bad moments, that give depth and meaning to our experiences.
Consider a sculptor chiseling away at a block of marble. With each strike of the chisel, fragments fall away, revealing the form within. It's not just the smooth, polished surface that makes the sculpture beautiful; it's the marks of the chisel, the imperfections that tell the story of its creation. In the same way, it's not just the happy moments that define our lives; it's the struggles, the setbacks, the moments of doubt and fear that shape us into who we are.
Embracing this truth doesn't mean resigning ourselves to a life of mediocrity or complacency. On the contrary, it empowers us to fully engage with each moment, regardless of whether it's filled with sunshine or storms. It teaches us to find beauty in the ordinary, to appreciate the small joys that often go unnoticed, and to grow through adversity rather than be defeated by it.
Imagine a bird flying through the sky, soaring effortlessly on the currents of the wind. Sometimes, it encounters turbulence, strong gusts that threaten to knock it off course. But the bird doesn't fight against the wind; instead, it adjusts its wings, finding balance and harmony even in the midst of chaos. Similarly, when we learn to accept each moment for what it is, we become like the bird, resilient and adaptable, capable of weathering any storm that comes our way.
So, the next time you find yourself longing for a moment to be more than it is, pause and take a deep breath. Remind yourself that happiness isn't found in the pursuit of perfection but in the acceptance of reality. Embrace the full spectrum of your experiences, both the good and the bad, knowing that each moment, in its own way, contributes to the rich tapestry of your life.
And now, dear reader, I leave you with this question: How can you practice acceptance and appreciation for the ordinary moments in your life today?
* If you're looking for more inspiration to help you on your personal development journey, you may want to check out my extensive list of SMART goals. This page is packed with thousands of different goal ideas that can help you set new aspirations and reach higher heights in your life. Personally, this page helped me to create my own 100 life goals list, which I pursued for over a decade.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
