Be The Cause of Joy

"Somebody, I don't recall who, once said: "When you get there, there's no there there". This applies not only to location in space, but also to time: when you get to the future, you find yourself in the present moment. So the future never comes. Don't let the thought of future (or past) obscure the preciousness of the present moment." ~Eckhart Tolle

This quote reminds me of one of the Perfect Life Syndrome symptoms..."The one day someday...when I get/obtain/achieve X...I will be happy". This is a trap that keeps us searching for what we make ourselves believe will make us happy (but never does).

This trap is so powerful that it has had a hold on me for the majority of my life. When I was in college I told myself that I would be happy when I found a great job. When I found a great job, I told myself I would be happy when I started my own business and when I started my first business it became “when I reach a certain number in revenue” and from there I told myself that I would finally be happy when I got married and had 3 children.

I was honestly dumbfounded when I came home with my third child and I was not instantly happy, feeling complete and fulfilled.

I still get tangled in the cycle of “one day someday…” sometimes but now I can step out of it. I break it by first recognizing that it is this very thought pattern that leads to potential overwhelm, stress, anxiety and unhappiness. Once I become aware of the thought, I can break it by acknowledging it (not judging it) and focusing on what Tolle calls the "preciousness" of this moment. Life feels and looks so different from here.

I challenge you to look. Right now. Look. Behind potential chaos, busyness, overwhelm or stress, there can be calm and joy. Don’t focus on what brings you joy but on how YOU can cause joy.

You can actually cause JOY by focusing on one thing that is precious in your life right now. Declare the preciousness (no excuses...even if you are in bed sick, your bed, your blanket, a warm house can be precious!).

In this moment, when I look...I see the preciousness in the people who nourish me and comfort me. I see the preciousness in the recently cut grass outside my window lush and ready for my girls to run around on. I see the preciousness in you reading this and knowing that we are all the same...wanting happiness.

Will you declare what you see as precious today?

Lucila is a "recovering” Perfect Mom and the Dean of The Perfect Mom Reform School. She is on a mission to eliminate the funky (and downright insane) rules for moms and put “The Perfect Mom Syndrome” to sleep.

Foolow her {im}perfect advice @ImperfectLucila on Twitter and receive her weekly tips of {IM} PERFECTION @ www.PerfectMomSyndrome.com