The Real Magic Lies in the Journey
Why is it that so often when we reach a goal, our happiness only lasts for a brief moment? What about the days, months, or even years it took to achieve it? Were you engaged and joyful during your journey or overwhelmed and frustrated?
Our culture is wired to focus on achievement = success = happiness. But is that really true?
This focus on achievement has contributed to an epidemic of stress and anxiety among our young adults. There’s so much pressure to get into a certain college, land the right job, have a perfect body, or be a star athlete.
Our children are so focused on achieving the end result that they are missing out on the golden nuggets that are right in front of them every day: learning from their professor, listening empathetically to a friend, or exercising their body.
How about the pandemic we are currently facing? Many people are miserable, stressed, and anxious—waiting for a vaccine. They are putting their lives on hold for an uncertain outcome.
By focusing on today, we are able to connect on a deeper level with children who are home from school or aging parents who live with us. We can increase our knowledge of technology, or slow down by reading a book, or taking a nature walk.
Having goals is natural and healthy. But when we wait until we reach our goal to enjoy life, we miss out on life itself.
What we are pursuing is the feeling we’ll have after we’ve achieved our goal. It may be joy, elation, euphoria, triumph, exhilaration, or happiness. How can you bring that feeling into your life today?
If you can change your mindset to make right now the most important moment, you have the opportunity to engage energetically and enjoy what you are doing in the present moment versus waiting to be happy at some time in the future.
The real magic lies in the journey, not the destination.
