I'll Be Happy When...

I'll be happy when I get that toy I really, really want.I'll be happy when I get all As on my report card.I'll be happy when I find a best friend.I'll be happy when I fall in love.I'll be happy when I graduate.I'll be happy when I get into my top choice university.I'll be happy when I'm not sick.I'll be happy when I have enough money to travel.I'll be happy when I get an amazing job.I'll be happy when I write a book.I'll be happy when I find my life partner.I'll be happy when I buy my dream house.I'll be happy when I get a better car.I'll be happy when I have more time to spend with my family and friends.I'll be happy when Barack Obama is elected president.I'll be happy when I move to another place, maybe even another country.I'll be happy when I lose 15 pounds.I'll be happy when I can do a handstand.I'll be happy when my writing is published.I'll be happy when I have my baby.I'll be happy when my daughter gets potty trained.I'll be happy when I can work from home.I'll be happy when I get married.I'll be happy when my husband and I have a better relationship.I'll be happy when I'm fluent in Spanish.I'll be happy when I can do what I want, which is yoga.I'll be happy when I quit my job.I'll be happy when I sell my house.I'll be happy when I get a good night's sleep.I'll be happy when I go on a meditation retreat.I'll be happy when I travel through Asia studying the Dharma.I'll be happy when there is world peace.I'll be happy when I retire.I'll be happy when I die.(Or not.)What if happiness is not dependent on these conditions?What if I could be happy, right here, right now, even though my life isn't perfect and never will be?What if I could be happy with my aches and irritations and concerns and duties?I am happy just to breathe. I am alive.I am happy just to have food, water, shelter, clothing and love. I am grateful.I am happy just to hug and play with my beautiful little girl. I am happy just to be her mamá.I am happy just to trust and respect my partner. I am loved and loving.I am happy like the songbirds, even when it's raining.I am happy like the lilies in bloom, even knowing I will wither and pass away sooner or later.I am happiest when I am like water, when I let go and go with the flow.When will you be happy?What's stopping you from being happy, just where you are, right now, today?