How do you go about finding happiness?

You strive to do well in school. To get the right job. To build the right life.

Tomorrow you’ll be happy after you get the promotion.

Next week you’ll be happy after you get the Instagram-worthy boyfriend.

Next year you will be happy when you have your picture-perfect wedding.

A decade from now you’ll be happy, once you have kids.

You’re a smart girl. Self-aware. So of course you’ve noticed that happiness is always around the corner of the next achievement, the next milestone toward your perfect life. One more and one more and one more and (don’t panic!) one more.

Keep it together girl, you’re almost there!

But one day soon?

Don’t waste years of your life with thoughts of finding happiness on the horizon.

Live in this moment, even as you work on progress. Instead of living with one foot in the future (and perhaps another in the past), take ownership of your experience now.

And remember, it’s often not what’s happening that determines our attitude.

Our thoughts are the key to unleashing our fulfillment, even in difficult times.