There’s a funny thing that can happen when life becomes comfortable.
Nothing is particularly wrong.
You have people you love. You have routines you know. You have places you like to go and things you enjoy doing.
You might even look around and think, “I have a good life.”
And you do.
So why does it sometimes feel like you’re waiting for something?
The Habit of “Someday”
I think a lot of us get very good at saving things.
We save the pretty dress for a special occasion.
We save the good dishes for company.
We save the restaurant we’ve been wanting to try for a birthday or anniversary.
We save the trip until the timing is better.
We save the idea until we have more time.
And without really meaning to, we can start saving our happiness, too.
Someday I’ll go.
Someday I’ll wear it.
Someday I’ll try that.
Someday I’ll make time for myself.
The trouble is, “someday” is remarkably patient.
It will wait forever.
A Letter for Kara
In today’s episode of The KARA Effect, Karen opens a letter that says:
“Dear Kara,
I have a good life. I really do.
So why do I keep feeling like I’m waiting for something?”
This time, it isn’t Kara who answers first.
It’s Gwen.
Meet Gwen, Our Guide to Happiness
Gwen is our Guide to Happiness.
Her symbol is the lotus, a reminder of gratitude, contentment, happiness and grace.
And Gwen offers a wonderfully simple possibility:
Maybe nothing is missing.
Maybe we’ve simply gotten into the habit of saving our happiness for later.
That doesn’t mean we should stop dreaming about bigger things.
Dreams matter.
Plans matter.
Having something wonderful to look forward to matters.
But our future doesn’t have to become an excuse for overlooking the life that is already happening.
What Have You Been Saving?
Maybe there’s something small you’ve been postponing.
Wear the dress.
Use the good dishes.
Buy yourself the flowers.
Have lunch somewhere beautiful.
Take the drive.
Call the friend.
Sit outside with your coffee instead of drinking it while doing three other things.
Book the afternoon tea.
Go see the garden while everything is blooming.
None of those things has to transform your life.
That’s the point.
Happiness doesn’t always arrive as a dramatic new chapter.
Sometimes it’s finally saying yes to something that has been waiting for you all along.
Make It a Future Memory
Here’s a little experiment.
Think of one thing you’ve been saving for “someday.”
Now stop picturing it as an idea.
Picture the actual day.
Where are you?
What are you wearing?
Who is with you?
What can you see?
What would make you smile and think, “I’m so glad I finally did this”?
Give the memory some details.
Because once you can see yourself there, “someday” begins to look a little more like a plan.
Maybe You Don’t Need a Different Life
That may be my favorite part of Gwen’s message.
We’re often encouraged to imagine a completely different future.
A bigger life.
A more exciting life.
A more successful life.
But sometimes we don’t need a different life.
Sometimes we simply need to stop putting this one on hold.
So today, ask yourself:
What am I waiting for?
And if something immediately comes to mind, perhaps that’s a very good place to begin.
See It. Remember It. Become It.
If there’s something you’ve been saving for someday, create a picture of yourself actually doing it.
Not someday.
On a real day, in your real life.
Your future doesn’t have to be extraordinary to be worth looking forward to.
Create your first Future Memory free at FutureMemoryMaker.com.