Dance Like No One's Watching
Crystal Boyd

We convince ourselves that life

will be better after we get married,

have a baby, then another.

Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough

and we'll be more content when they are.

After that we're frustrated that we

have teenagers to deal with,

we will certainly be happy

when they are out of that stage.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete

when our spouse gets his or her act together,

when we get a nicer car,

are able to go on a nice vacation,

when we retire.

The truth is there's no better time

to be happy than right now.

If not now, when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges.

It's best to admit this to yourself

and decide to be happy anyway.

One of my favorite quotes comes

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,

a debt to be paid. Then life would begin.

At last it dawned on me that these

obstacles were my life.

This perspective has helped me to see

that there is no way to happiness.

Happiness is the way,

so, 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.

So stop waiting until you finish school,

until you go back to school,

until you lose ten pounds,

until you gain ten pounds,

until you have kids,

until your kids leave the house,

until you start work,

until you retire,

until you get married,

until you get divorced,

until Friday night,

until Sunday morning,

until you get a new car or home,

until your car or home is paid off,

until spring, until summer,

until fall, until winter,

until you are off welfare,

until the first or fifteenth,

until your song comes on,

until you've had a drink,

until you've sobered up,

until you die, until you are born again

to decide that there is no better time

than right now to be happy...

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

So, Work like you don't need money.

Love like you've never been hurt and

Dance Like no one's watching.

Enlightened Perspective
thoughts by Andy Rooney

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned.... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned ... That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.