The document discusses how people often convince themselves that they will be happier once they achieve certain life milestones like marriage, having children, or retirement. However, it notes that true happiness is about living in the present and finding joy in everyday life despite challenges. It encourages readers to focus on nurturing meaningful relationships with friends and family rather than chasing after trophies, prizes or fame, which are fleeting. The story of disabled athletes supporting each other at a race emphasizes prioritizing helping others succeed over winning alone. Overall, the message is that happiness comes from fully embracing each moment and caring for others.

1. We convince ourselves that life will be better once we are married,We convince ourselves that life will be better once we are married,
have a baby, then another.have a baby, then another.
Then we get frustrated because our children areThen we get frustrated because our children are
not old enough, and that all will be well whennot old enough, and that all will be well when
they are older.they are older.
Then we are frustrated because theyThen we are frustrated because they
reach adolescence and we must dealreach adolescence and we must deal
with them. Surely we’ll be happier whenwith them. Surely we’ll be happier when
they grow out of the teen years.they grow out of the teen years.
We tell ourselves our life will be better when our spouse getsWe tell ourselves our life will be better when our spouse gets
his/her act together, when we have a nicer car, when we can takehis/her act together, when we have a nicer car, when we can take
a vacation, when we finally retire.a vacation, when we finally retire.
The truth is that there is no better time to be happy than right now.The truth is that there is no better time to be happy than right now.
If not, then when?If not, then when?
Your life will always be full of challenges. It is better to admit asYour life will always be full of challenges. It is better to admit as
much and to decide to be happy in spite of it all.much and to decide to be happy in spite of it all.

2. For the longest time, it seemed that life was about to start. RealFor the longest time, it seemed that life was about to start. Real
life.life.
But there was always some obstacle along the way, an ordeal toBut there was always some obstacle along the way, an ordeal to
get through, some work to be finished, some time to be given, aget through, some work to be finished, some time to be given, a
bill to be paid. Then life would start.bill to be paid. Then life would start.
I finally came to understand that those obstacles were life.I finally came to understand that those obstacles were life.
That point of view helped me seeThat point of view helped me see
that there isn’t any road tothat there isn’t any road to
happiness.happiness.
Happiness IS the road.Happiness IS the road.
So, enjoy every moment.So, enjoy every moment.
Stop waiting for school to end, for a return to school, to lose ten pounds,Stop waiting for school to end, for a return to school, to lose ten pounds,
to gain ten pounds, for work to begin, to get married, for Friday evening,to gain ten pounds, for work to begin, to get married, for Friday evening,
for Sunday morning, waiting for a new car, for your mortgage to be paidfor Sunday morning, waiting for a new car, for your mortgage to be paid
off, for spring, for summer, for fall, for winter, for the first or the fifteenthoff, for spring, for summer, for fall, for winter, for the first or the fifteenth
of the month, for your song to be played on the radio, to die, to beof the month, for your song to be played on the radio, to die, to be
reborn… before deciding to be happy.reborn… before deciding to be happy.

3. Happiness is a voyage, not a destination.Happiness is a voyage, not a destination.
There is no better time to be happy than…There is no better time to be happy than…
NOW!NOW!
Live and enjoy the moment.Live and enjoy the moment.
-Author unknown-Author unknown
Now, think and try to answer these questions:Now, think and try to answer these questions:
1 – Name the 5 richest people in the world.1 – Name the 5 richest people in the world.
2 – Name the last 5 Miss Universe winners.2 – Name the last 5 Miss Universe winners.
3 – Name the last 10 Nobel Prize winners.3 – Name the last 10 Nobel Prize winners.
4 –4 – Name the last 10 winners of the Best Actor Oscar.Name the last 10 winners of the Best Actor Oscar.

4. Can’t do it? Rather difficult, isn’t it?Can’t do it? Rather difficult, isn’t it?
Don’t worry, nobody remembers that.Don’t worry, nobody remembers that.
Applause dies away!Applause dies away!
Trophies gather dust!Trophies gather dust!
Winners are soon forgotten.Winners are soon forgotten.
Now answer these questions:Now answer these questions:
1 – Name 3 teachers who contributed to your education.1 – Name 3 teachers who contributed to your education.
2 –2 – Name 3 friends who helped you in your hour of need.Name 3 friends who helped you in your hour of need.
3 – Think of a few people who made you feel special.3 – Think of a few people who made you feel special.
4 –4 – Name 5 people that you like to spend time with.Name 5 people that you like to spend time with.
More manageable? It’s easier, isn’t it?More manageable? It’s easier, isn’t it?
The people who mean something to your life are notThe people who mean something to your life are not
rated “the best”, don’t have the most money,rated “the best”, don’t have the most money,
haven’t won the greatest prizes…haven’t won the greatest prizes…
They are the ones who care about you, take care ofThey are the ones who care about you, take care of
you, those who, no matter what, stay close by.you, those who, no matter what, stay close by.
Think about it for a moment.Think about it for a moment.
Life is very short!Life is very short!
And you, in which list are you? Don’t know?And you, in which list are you? Don’t know?

5. Let me give you a hand.Let me give you a hand.
You are not among the most “famous”, but among those toYou are not among the most “famous”, but among those to
whom I remember to send this message…whom I remember to send this message…
Some time ago, at the Seattle Olympics, nine athletes, allSome time ago, at the Seattle Olympics, nine athletes, all
mentally or physically challenged, were standing on the startmentally or physically challenged, were standing on the start
line for the 100 m race.line for the 100 m race.
The gun fired and the race began. Not everyone was running,The gun fired and the race began. Not everyone was running,
but everyone wanted to participate and win.but everyone wanted to participate and win.
They ran in threes, a boy tripped and fell, did a fewThey ran in threes, a boy tripped and fell, did a few
somersaults and started crying.somersaults and started crying.
The other eight heard him crying.The other eight heard him crying.
They slowed down and looked behind them.They slowed down and looked behind them.
They stopped and came back… All of them…They stopped and came back… All of them…
A girl with Down’s Syndrome sat down next to him, hugged him andA girl with Down’s Syndrome sat down next to him, hugged him and
asked, “Feeling better now?”asked, “Feeling better now?”
ThenThen, all nine walked shoulder to shoulder to the finish line., all nine walked shoulder to shoulder to the finish line.
The whole crowd stood up and applauded. And the applauseThe whole crowd stood up and applauded. And the applause
lasted a very long time…lasted a very long time…

6. People who witnessed this still talk about it.People who witnessed this still talk about it.
Why?Why?
Because deep down inside us, we allBecause deep down inside us, we all
know that the most important thingknow that the most important thing
in life is much more than winning forin life is much more than winning for
ourselves.ourselves.
The most important thing in this life is toThe most important thing in this life is to
help others to win. Even if that meanshelp others to win. Even if that means
slowing down and changing our own race.slowing down and changing our own race.
If you send this email, perhaps we willIf you send this email, perhaps we will
succeed in changing our heart, perhapssucceed in changing our heart, perhaps
someone else’s heart, as well…someone else’s heart, as well…
A candle loses nothing if it is used toA candle loses nothing if it is used to
light another one.”light another one.”
So, what have you decided? Trash this or send it?So, what have you decided? Trash this or send it?

7. People who witnessed this still talk about it.People who witnessed this still talk about it.
Why?Why?
Because deep down inside us, we allBecause deep down inside us, we all
know that the most important thingknow that the most important thing
in life is much more than winning forin life is much more than winning for
ourselves.ourselves.
The most important thing in this life is toThe most important thing in this life is to
help others to win. Even if that meanshelp others to win. Even if that means
slowing down and changing our own race.slowing down and changing our own race.
If you send this email, perhaps we willIf you send this email, perhaps we will
succeed in changing our heart, perhapssucceed in changing our heart, perhaps
someone else’s heart, as well…someone else’s heart, as well…
A candle loses nothing if it is used toA candle loses nothing if it is used to
light another one.”light another one.”
So, what have you decided? Trash this or send it?So, what have you decided? Trash this or send it?