Recently, I was inspired by a post I came across on another social media site.  It was a insightful piece that got me thinking about my life, my decisions, my ambitions and my failures. 

Over the past year, as I have progressed as a coach, I have also being going through periods of self-discovery.  You see as a coach you also have a coach, and I am not afraid to say, that this has been one of the most insightful things I have even done so far in my life – and at times I have felt sad, overwhelmed and disappointed in myself. 

Over the past year, I have also been learning to sit with things that make me feel ‘uncomfortable’.  Whilst also ‘accepting’ that life at times has not given me what I think it should have.  I mean there is no universal law that says that I should get everything I want in life, right?  

I, like others have spent time convincing myself that life would be better, if I had a man by my side, if I was married, if I had the family I have always wanted, if I was paid more, if I was more successful. 

The question I have asked myself is, if I had that now… would I be happy? Would I be pursuing my passions? Would I have moved to London two years ago? Would I be so engaged and passionate about my coaching business and helping others? Of course, I convince myself that my life would be better and I’d be more content and secure if I also had all of the above. 

At times, I even sit and imagine that life. Would I be frustrated that I couldn't do the things I want? Would I be disappointed maybe with the husband I had settled for?.....

But then I ask myself....what if I had struck gold and was in a happy marriage with the 2 kids - would I just be spending my time frustrated that the kids aren't old enough, and that I’d be more content when they are. After that, I’d have teenagers to deal with….. when would I have been free to do all the things I am doing now?

In life, I hear over and over again from friend’s, colleague’s and client’s that our lives will be complete when our partner sorts him/herself out, when we have moved to a bigger house (in London it’s when we can afford a house), when we get a nicer car, when we get that promotion, when we are able to go on a nice holiday, when we retire and so it goes on…. 


You see the real truth of it all is that there's no better time to be happy than right now. Because if not now, when? 

Through reflecting back over my own life – the highs and the lows I have come to the conclusion that my life will always be filled with challenges, and I have accepted that it's best to just admit this to myself and be happy anyway.

The article I read quoted the following from Alfred D. Souza. He said: 

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

This quote really resonated with me, and has only reinforced the idea to me that ‘happiness’ is not the destination we all crave to have….. it’s simply a way of living your life.   

So what I am saying to you is that you have to live in the moment, you had to feel the fear and do it anyway. You only have one life right?  How do you want to spend it? Do you want to spend it apologising? Regretting? Questioning? Running after people? Hating yourself?

Nobody gets everything right every time.  Be brave, believe in yourself.  Do what makes you feel good.  Take risks.  Love and treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time...and remember that time waits for no one.  You have this one life.  Make yourself proud.

So, stop waiting for Friday, for summer, for someone to fall in love with you, until you lose that stone, until your boss leaves at night, until you get that promotion, until you earn £££, until you have kids, until the kids grow up and leave, until you start work or get a new job, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until winter, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink.... there is no better time than right now to be happy.

So starting from today, forget about what’s gone, appreciate what still remains and look forward to what is coming next.  Let go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and celebrate everything that it is. 

There is no path to happiness: Happiness is the path.