Daily Gratitude: This may seem a strange post to make when the country is so chaotic.

But I think that’s when we need to talk about this the most.

Remember to control the controllables- and feeling happy now is one of the things we can control – even if we think it’s dependent on external things.

It’s not.

I hear this a lot – “I’ll be happy WHEN…..” – you can fill in the blanks.

It could be “when I lose weight or when I weigh x number of pounds”; or, “when I have a better job (I ask then what does ‘better’ mean to you); or, when I’m rich (same question- what does ‘rich’ mean to you?); or, when I’m retired; or, when I’m married.

You get the picture.

This is sad but it took me so many years to realize it.

What if those things never happen?

Does that mean you’ll never be happy?

That’s pretty discouraging to think about. It shouldn’t take much to be happy.

I think that doing a journey run like vol state helps you understand what we really need in life and that all the other stuff is just fluff.

Just a few things sustain us for 10 days. Food and drink, sleep and surprisingly kindness.

It’s the kindness that everyone we met showered us with that really sustained us.

It was just a word or a wave.

It didn’t even have to be something tangible like water or a snack.

Just the love they showed could lift your spirits and get you through the next few miles.

So, if you find yourself falling into the “when I” trap, look around you and ask “am I happy right now?”

Maybe even prompt yourself “am I in pain? Am I comfortable? Am I thirsty or hungry? Can I get in out of the elements if I need to? Do I have someone who loves me? Do I have someone I love (and it is any kind of love, not necessarily romantic)? Do I have unfulfilled needs? If so, what can I do to solve these issues?”

You probably are happy now but just aren’t paying attention to it.

What if you’re not here tomorrow?

Do you want to leave this earth simply wanting something else or do you want to leave appreciating all you have NOW?