Waiting for the "Perfect Time" Robs Us of Present Joy

When we wait for perfect circumstances—whether it's ideal health, wealth, career, home, or relationships—we miss the joy hidden in everyday moments.

Me, joyfully embracing the present moment in the snowy Yukon | Photo taken with my tripod

Most of us find ourselves caught in an endless cycle of waiting - waiting for the perfect environment to manifest, the ideal job opportunity to arise, the dream home to become available, the right partner to appear, and even the perfect dietary habits to fall into place before we allow ourselves to truly experience and embrace joy. We continuously postpone our happiness, convincing ourselves that the right time will eventually come, that good fortune awaits just around the corner. In this state of perpetual anticipation, we fixate on these imaginary golden moments when all the pieces of our life will align perfectly, creating what we believe will be the perfect conditions for joy to flourish.

However, these idealized moments rarely materialize exactly as we envision them. While life certainly has its way of improving over time, the notion of achieving that perfect, imaginary state remains eternally out of reach. This perpetual waiting game prevents people from seizing the countless opportunities for joy that present themselves along their life's journey, as they remain fixated on some distant, perfect future.

The truth is that joy exists abundantly in every corner of our lives and under every circumstance, even in situations that might seem overwhelmingly challenging or difficult. The key lies not in waiting for perfect conditions, but in developing the ability to recognize and embrace joy in its many forms. Unfortunately, during our period of waiting, we often fail to make any genuine effort to cultivate joy in our present circumstances, allowing precious moments to slip through our fingers like grains of sand.

As time marches forward relentlessly, we eventually come to the sobering realization that far too much time has passed while we waited for the perfect moment.

Moreover, even when we do attempt to discover joy, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by life's daily challenges and responsibilities. The constant demands of our modern existence can make it extraordinarily difficult to notice and appreciate the simple pleasures that surround us. The relentless pressures of professional life, interpersonal relationships, and personal obligations frequently create an atmosphere so heavy with stress and anxiety that it becomes nearly impossible to see through the fog and recognize life's beautiful moments. These accumulated burdens act like a thick veil, obscuring our ability to notice and cherish the precious instances of happiness that present themselves throughout each day.

The essence of genuine joy resides not in material success or achievements, but in our heart's remarkable capacity to discover light even in life's darkest moments. While material fortune may fluctuate and success may prove fleeting, those who learn to embrace life in its entirety - dancing through both its turbulent storms and peaceful moments of sunshine - discover a form of joy that truly stands the test of time.

It's crucial to understand that authentic joy isn't merely a reward that appears after achieving specific goals; such feelings are often just temporary happiness. True joy emerges during the journey itself, particularly in those challenging moments of struggle. When you develop the ability to maintain a joyful spirit during life's most demanding phases, you cultivate a form of happiness that remains steadfast throughout your entire life journey.

I speak from personal experience, having once shared this common misconception. During my time in Saskatoon in 2010 and 2011, which marked the peak of my personal struggles, I mistakenly believed that I needed to postpone joy until after my troubles had passed. However, as my challenges persisted, I found myself sinking deeper into misery. A turning point came in 2012 when destiny led me to the Yukon, where I began teaching dance movement classes. It was then that I realized the foolishness of waiting for better times before actively seeking joy. When I first experienced genuine joy in 2012 after many years, my troubles hadn't magically disappeared, but I had discovered joy despite them. This newfound joy sparked hope within me, which in turn fostered positivity, ultimately helping me find solutions to my challenges. Within next three years, I had successfully navigated through my difficulties. The crucial lesson here is that I chose to embrace joy before my troubles had resolved themselves.

Now, I'd like to share with you a meaningful video that I recently recorded while exploring the serene wilderness of the Yukon Territory. In this footage, I demonstrate the powerful practice of surrendering to life's natural flow while simultaneously discovering and embracing the pure joy that exists within each passing moment. As you watch, you'll see how it's possible to find genuine happiness even when we release our need for control and simply allow life to unfold naturally. Enjoy:

Therefore, I urge you: don't wait for those mythical golden times, don't postpone joy until you achieve perfect health, don't delay until you've secured your dream career, don't hold back until you've found the ideal partner - take action now. The present moment is the perfect time to begin your journey of discovering joy.

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Cheerfully,
Gurdeep