Why people are dissatisfied with their lives

By now, you may have picked up on a common refrain across many of my posts: That happiness lies in the present, which is why we should aim to live in the here and now.

Sadly, however, many people live only for a better tomorrow. Then, when tomorrow comes, their focus is still on the future.

There's nothing wrong with being forward-looking and continually aiming to achieve goals.

But unless one takes time every now and then to appreciate the present -- to come up for air and smell the roses, so to speak -- they will always find themselves in a state of yearning rather than contentment.

For example, some people have an insatiable appetite for acquiring material goods, whether they be clothes, shoes, gadgets, and cars.

No sooner do they get their hands on one than they already set their sights on their next conquest. They may leave the item collecting dust, rendering it obsolete in a few years.

In essence, they're all about the chase. Once what they want is in their possession, they become bored and restless.

Similarly, in the relationship world, some people find any excuse to end a relationship once the exciting honeymoon stage has worn off. Once the relationship begins to feel too comfy, they contemplate a new target almost immediately.

So they hop from one relationship to the other with little regard for the other person's feelings.

Life isn't about getting the most or best of everything. It's about making the best of what you already have, whether it concerns your physical belongings or relationships.

And as I've stressed in various posts, the true source of our happiness is ourselves. It comes from deep within, not from a souped-up car or new partner.

While things and people can certainly make our lives richer in many ways, we have to learn to be happy on our own. Otherwise, we'll always be tethered to objects that may break, jobs that may be cut, or people who may leave our lives at any time.

We don't know what will happen tomorrow, but at least we can effect change today.

So what's a happy medium? Seizing the day while striving for a spectacular tomorrow. Expressing gratitude for the wonderful things and people in your life while simultaneously exploring ways to further enhance your life.

It affords you the best of both worlds.

So the next time you're preoccupied with tomorrow, remind yourself that the present ultimately holds the key to real, enduring happiness.

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