by Marea E. Johnson

Created on: January 26, 2009   Last Updated: May 16, 2011

How do we know if we have stopped "enjoying" life? And if we feel that we have, should there be a need for concern? Or are we being self-indulgent spending even one second asking ourselves such a question?

Ideally, we all want to feel that we are enjoying our lives in one way or another, and we are motivated to continue to do those things which consistently make us happy; for some, it's working, for others, it's eating. Whatever route we take to find and secure those good feelings though, can sometimes, very unpredictably, force us to take an "alternate route". "What? But I've been getting my sugar fix at Big Joe's Cafe every morning before work for the last five years! Alternate route, are you crazy?" Then comes the frenzy, the confusion, the circuit overload; that proverbial "bump in the road". Our "happiness" has now been rudely interrupted.

I think it's during times like these that we really need to put our lives into perspective. So you can't get your donut and coffee today; at least not at "Big Joe's". Now we have a decision to make. Are we going to let it ruin our day, or will we simply go to the closest drive-thru for our fix, thereby lessening the "blow" and staving off the jitters?

It's these small, inconsequential events that happen throughout our day that can make us quite miserable if we let them. But if we would just step back for a moment and be thankful for all we DO have, I'm certain we would have a very different perception of our lives.

For instance, be thankful you woke up this morning; many people won't. Be thankful you were able to get yourself out of bed; many people can't. Be thankful you have a job to go to; many people don't........you get the drift.

I once saw a sign that said, "I used to complain that I had to walk everywhere 'til I met a man who had no legs." Words to live by.

Do yourself a favor and stop checking the pulse of your happiness and level of enjoyment. We've all heard or read that little saying that goes something like, "Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it eludes you. But if you sit quietly and patiently, it will eventually come and land peacefully on your shoulder." Or, for you more aggressive types, you can simply go full throttle with a big net!

However you go about it though, always remember that there is more to life than just "enjoying" it. I know that sounds strange, but it's true. We must go through the painful "pruning" of life if we want to bloom again in the spring. It's just how life works. But oh, when those roses bloom!

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