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Why happiness is a journey, not a destination (and 5 ways to enjoy the ride)

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Instead of striving for happiness through end goals or objects, try cultivating day-to-day well-being. Because, as Calvin Holbrook  explains, science shows that happiness really is a journey and not a destination.

'Happiness is a journey, not a destination’ is an often-heard saying, and many people would argue that the search for well-being is the greatest motivator of all humankind. But does this motto really hold true? And what does science have to say on the subject?  

The expression suggests that humans shouldn’t believe that reaching a certain life goal will award them with happiness. The destination in question could be one of numerous end-points we're often striving for in life: that dream job, buying a first home, meeting the perfect partner, or snagging that huge pay rise you've been working so hard for.   

RELATED:  Money can't buy happiness (except when you spend it like this!)

Chances are if you do reach one of your destination life goals, you may indeed feel happier – but only temporarily. Why? Because of our happiness set-point .  

Happiness journey vs destination: set-point

Our set-point largely determines our overall well-being, and all of us have different levels. Therefore, those with higher set-points will be happier most of the time compared with those that have a less joyful outlook (due to their lower set-point).

Going through our life journey, we oscillate around this set-point. Unhappy life events shift happiness levels below their set-point while positive or exciting events boost your happiness levels above it.  

RELATED: Is happiness genetic?

However, sooner or later, when that event becomes normalized or changes, happiness levels return to the original set-point (for example, when we feel the 'holiday blues' after coming back from the high of a recent holiday).

Likewise, once you reach your supposed happiness destination, it may not last, or something may get in the way of the perceived happiness you thought it would bring. For example, after getting what you thought was your dream job, you actually discovered it brought you a lot of negative stress due to the additional workload (and your demanding new boss). That dream new apartment you bought? Well, the noisy neighbours upstairs are doing their best to destroy your peace. Just met your 'perfect' partner? You'll soon discover all the things about them that drive you up the wall! Well, you get the picture.

“Chances are if you do reach one of your destination life goals, you will indeed feel happier – but only temporarily.”

Additionally, at some point these final destinations may dissolve all together. Indeed, as the only consistent thing in life is change, believing that happiness is a destination rather than the journey itself makes little sense.   In fact, this pursuit of happiness – the constant desire and drive to achieve things we believe will boost our well-being and joy – often ends in disappointment (the so-called ‘ happiness trap ’. )

Improving your journey to happiness

As discussed, according to Lyubomirsky, our genetic set-point is responsible for around 50 per cent of our happiness. The remainder depends on our circumstances (10 per cent ) and our life activity (40 per cent).

However, some studies suggest that by changing our day-to-day life activity – focusing on our journey and not a final destination – we can boost our internal set-point to a higher level and become happier. Indeed, there are many smaller, everyday activities we can choose to improve our general well-being. So, here are five that you can employ right away.

Studies show we can fix our happiness set point higher by helping others. In fact, according to one — analyzing data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Survey – the trait most strongly linked to long-term happiness increases is a regular commitment to altruism. It showed that the more compassionate we are, the happier our life journey seems to be.   RELATED: The benefits of kindness

This was backed up by another study by Sonja Lyubomirsky published in the Review of General Psychology in 2005. When she had students perform five weekly acts of kindness over a period of six weeks, they noticed a significant increase in happiness levels compared to a control group of students.  

2. Practise gratitude

Cultivating gratitude is scientifically-proven to increase your happiness journey, and is one of the simplest life changes you can make as it requires little effort.  

“As the only consistent thing in life is change, believing that happiness is a destination rather than the journey really makes little sense.”

According to a 2003 report in the journal of Social Behavior and Personality , grateful people tend to appreciate simple pleasures (defined as "those pleasures in life that are available to most people”). Indeed, a study published in The Journal of Happiness Studies showed that writing a daily or weekly gratitude journal can make finding happiness easier.  

3. Meditate

Starting your day with just five to 10 minutes of meditation will help you to develop your happiness. Try meditating in the morning shortly after waking: the immediate heightened inner clarity it will give you will set you up for the rest of the day.

And, according to Psychology Today , meditation is the strongest mental practice that has the power to reset your happiness set point, thus turning you into a more joyful person: regular meditation practice can literally rewire your brain so you can become happier.  

4. Build quality relationships

If happiness is a journey and not a destination, then it’s the people that are with you on your journey that can make all the difference. Science is clear on this: you can find and maintain happiness through developing quality relationships.

Humans are a social species and need regular contact. In a 75-year, multigenerational study , Robert Waldinger measured happiness levels in people from Boston’s poorest neighborhoods. He found that the most joyful were those with high-quality social connections.

5. Choose happiness

Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse who devoted her career to working with end-of-life patients, found a theme in those coming to the end of their lives: they has a deep regret about not ‘letting’   themselves be happy. Ware, the author of The Top Five Regrets Of The Dying , penned a blog for the Huffington Post , in which she wrote: 

“Many did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice . They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives.

“Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again ... Life is a choice. It is your life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness .”

RELATED: Cherophobia – the fear of happiness explained

Conclusions

All to often we are led to believe that by obtaining goals or possessions we will feel happier. But the reality is – and science agrees – that when we reach those destinations, our happiness levels quickly return to their original set-point. Indeed, happiness often leads to success, but success does not always lead to happiness. Instead, research shows that the best way to maintain consistent well-being is to focus on the everyday changes you can make in your life, with altruism, gratitude and quality relationships being important factors: happiness really is a journey and not a destination. 

In fact, research in the field of positive psychology has shown that happiness is a choice that anyone can make. As psychologist William James put it, “The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human can alter his life by altering his attitude.” ●

Main image: shutterstock/Olga Danylenko

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Written by Calvin Holbrook

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Posted August 16, 2021

Reminds me of the verse by Alfred D. Souza that goes:

"Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life.

But there was always some obstacle in the way, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid.

At last, it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.

This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. 

HAPPINESS IS THE WAY.

So treasure every moment you have and remember that 

time waits for no one."

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Posted June 24, 2021

Happiness is a journey. I am not sure if I agree with the picture. However, I agree with the point made in the article. Happiness is not a destination that you reach, and then it's all sorted. The picture of the journey still implies a destination, and that's what seems wrong to me. I'll keep thinking of an image that resonates better with me.

Posted May 11, 2021

Such an interesting article, and I think it's always important to remind ourselves that happiness is a journey, not a destination. It's so easy to think you'll be happy once you've reached a certain goal, but the most important thing is really to enjoy the journey you are on and look for happiness in the smallest thing along the way. Don't compare yourself to others! 

Posted October 5, 2020

The purpose of this letter is to express my appreciation for sharing your valuable insight into personal growth. Its articles like “Why happiness is a journey, not a destination (and 5 key ways to enjoy the ride)” which gives those who are struggling hope for the future, as it pushes them to keep fighting their depression. I admire your view on happiness and your explanation of how it is a journey and not a destination. I also appreciate that you have provided readers with an amazing set of healthy coping strategies such as being kind and practicing gratitude. As when a person is depressed and/or anxious it may become very tempting to turn to unhealthy coping strategies such as drugs or alcohol to provide an ‘easy way out.’ However, these unhealthy coping mechanisms provide temporary happiness and will end up making them feel worse in the end. I thank you for taking the time to provide those who are struggling, with healthy and natural ways to bring themselves some relief. 

Posted April 30, 2019

Nice article

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Happiness.com » Magazine » PERSONAL GROWTH » Why happiness is a journey, not a destination (and 5 ways to enjoy the ride)

51 Meaningful Quotes About How Life is a Journey

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They say that life is about the journey and not the destination. But what does that really mean?

You’ve probably heard this line a million times before, but maybe you couldn’t quite understand what it was trying to illustrate. 

The most successful people will tell you that the process of accomplishing something is far more valuable than the end result. You learn much more from all of your experiences and encounters than you do from arriving at the destination.

Ultimately, the process is the greatest reward. The sweetest moments come when you realize that you have attained the final goal because of everything you have experienced.

You look back on the mistakes, the challenges, and everything you had to endure—but you also celebrate the fact that you faced your problems head-on. Your journey through life is what makes you human.

In this article, we share with you a list of quotes about how life is a journey . We hope that, through these words, you’ll be able to enjoy everything that life has to offer. Even more so, we hope that they will inspire you to live a more meaningful and happier life .

But before we check out our list, let’s discuss how reading these quotes can get you motivated.

Table of Contents

Why Read Quotes About How Life Is a Journey?

Reading these quotes can inspire you to live a better and more fulfilling life.

They are, after all, from people who have found their journeys through life enjoyable and gratifying. There’s no better way to motivate yourself than to get inspiration from people who have already lived wonderful lives.

In the same vein, these quotes can help you appreciate the gift of life. They help you realize that you only live once, so you must relish the moments you have been given.

Finally, reading these quotes can encourage you to share your life with others. You will realize that, in order to be able to live your life to the fullest, you need someone to share both your joys and sorrows with. You require companions to fully live in the moment .

Now that you know why it’s important to read journey quotes, let us check out our list!

Meaningful Life is a Journey Quotes

• “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But by all means, keep moving.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
• “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – Tony Robbins
• “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” – Oprah Winfrey
• “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
• “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” – Heraclitus
• “Not I, nor anyone else can travel that road for you. You must travel it by yourself. It is not far. It is within reach. Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know. Perhaps it is everywhere – on water and land.” – Walt Whitman
• “The most important reason for going from one place to another is to see what's in between, and they took great pleasure in doing just that.” – Norton Juster
• “The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday.” – Steve Maraboli

• “Some beautiful paths can't be discovered without getting lost.” – Erol Ozan
• “For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” – Michelle Obama
• “I am no longer afraid of becoming lost because the journey back always reveals something new, and that is ultimately good for the artist.” – Billy Joel
• “Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” – Pat Conroy
• “Never stop just because you feel defeated. The journey to the other side is attainable only after great suffering.” – Santosh Kalwar
• “There is a strange comfort in knowing that no matter what happens today, the Sun will rise again tomorrow.” – Aaron Lauritsen
• “Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” – Drake
• “ Transformation is a process , and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. It’s a journey of discovery – there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair.” – Rick Warren
• “The journey is never-ending. There’s always gonna be growth, improvement, and adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what’s right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment.” – Antonio Brown
• “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” – Greg Anderson
• “On your journey, don’t forget to smell the flowers. Take time out to notice that you are alive. You can only live one day.” – Ray Fearon

• “If my ship sails from sight, it doesn’t mean my journey ends. It simply means the river bends.” – Enoch Powell
• “It’s not an easy journey, to get to a place where you forgive people. But it is such a powerful place because it frees you.” – Tyler Perry
• “Aim for the sky, but move slowly, enjoying every step along the way. It is all those little steps that make the journey complete.” – Chanda Kochhar
• “Sometimes we make the process more complicated than we need to. We will never make a journey of a thousand miles by fretting about how long it will take or how hard it will be. We make the journey by taking each day step by step and then repeating it again and again until we reach our destination.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin
• “Your journey never ends. Life has a way of changing things in incredible ways.” – Alexander Volkov
• “Each one of us has our own evolution of life, and each one of us goes through different tests which are unique and challenging. But certain things are common. And we do learn things from each other's experiences. On a spiritual journey, we all have the same destination.” – A. R. Rahman
• “Going by my past journey, I am not certain where life will take me, what turns and twists will happen; nobody knows where they will end up. As life changes direction, I'll flow with it.” – Katrina Kaif
• “Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don't lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci

• “But it's a journey and the sad thing is you only learn from experience, so as much as someone can tell you things, you have to go out there and make your own mistakes in order to learn.” – Emma Watson
• “The seeker embarks on a journey to find what he wants and discovers, along the way, what he needs.” – Wally Lamb
• “Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.” – Oliver Goldsmith
• “The Sun will rise and set regardless. What we choose to do with the light while it's here is up to us. Journey wisely.” – Alexandra Elle
• “We may run, walk, stumble. drive, or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.” – Gloria Gaither
• “Whole life is a search for beauty. But, when the beauty is found inside, the search ends and a beautiful journey begins.” – Harshit Walia
• “Not everyone will understand your journey. That's okay. You're here to live your life, not to make everyone understand .” – Banksy
• “I believe that life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel, but we are well equipped for it if only we tap into our talents and gifts and allow them to blossom.” – Les Brown
• “It was being a runner that mattered, not how fast or how far I could run. The joy was in the act of running and in the journey, not in the destination.” – John Bingham
• “As you journey down the path, don't forget to be present moment-by-moment and absorb the beauty and richness of simply being alive.” – Cary David Richards
• “If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.” – Dan Rather

• “Life is a journey of either Fate or Destiny. Fate is the result of giving in to one's wounds and heartaches. Your Destiny unfolds when you rise above the challenges of your life and use them as Divine opportunities to move forward to unlock your higher potential.” – Caroline Myss
• “I know it can be tough to imagine how to get from where you are today to where you want to be tomorrow. But I’m here to tell you that change is possible if you enter into this journey with your eyes wide open, and with real intention.” – David Hauser
• “Part of the challenge that comes with striving for success is how the entire journey comes with its own fair share of failures and disappointments.” – Rupert Johnson
• “The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That's all there ever is.” – Alan Watts
• “Life is a journey and it's about growing and changing and coming to terms with who and what you are and loving who and what you are.” – Kelly McGillis
• “Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.” – Captain Jean-Luc Picard
• “I just constantly tell myself that I should be the only one to define my worth and what I'm capable of and how I perceive myself. And that I should never source that worth from other people, especially strangers on social media. They don't know who I am, the length of my journey, who I am as a person.” – Catriona Gray
• “ You have learned a lot, but there are still lots of learning for you as you journey through life. Never stop learning.” – Kate Summers

• “One of the most important things that I have learned in my 57 years is that life is all about choices. On every journey you take, you face choices. At every fork in the road, you make a choice. And it is those decisions that shape our lives.” – Mike DeWine
• “I'm different than most people. When I cross the finish line of a big race, I see that people are ecstatic, but I'm thinking about what I'm going to do tomorrow. It's as if my journey is everlasting, and there is no finish line.” – David Goggins
• “The journey matters as much as the destination. By engaging at the moment on set, I've stopped rushing and now find pleasure in the collaborative process – the characters, the costumes – rather than worrying about the finished product.” – Michelle Dockery
• “It's a life's journey of finding ourselves, finding our power, and living for yourself, not for everyone else.” – Mariska Hargitay

Final Thoughts on Life & Journey

Life is a journey, and we all take different paths.

There are those who take the road less traveled and enjoy unique accomplishments, while others go with the crowd but still end up loving the lives they’ve chosen as well. Regardless of our choices, we will all have the potential to become successful in the ways we personally define success.

We hope that these quotes inspired you to enjoy your life’s journey and make it more meaningful. Enjoy the moment and live happy!

And if you want more inspirational quotes, be sure to check out these blog posts:

• 63 Inspiring Walt Whitman Quotes About Life
• 51 Do What Makes You Happy Quotes for 2023
• 107 Quotes About Overcoming Adversity and Challenges in Your Life

Finally, if you want to use these quotes to make a lasting change to your life, then check out and recite these 57 affirmations for success .

Trusting the Process

How to enjoy the journey..

Posted September 28, 2018 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

“The clouds above us join and separate, the breeze in the courtyard leaves and returns. Life is like that, so why not relax? Who can stop us from celebrating?” –Benjamin Hoff

What’s the Rush?

Is it just me, or does it seem like the more we have, the more we want? The more things we acquire and the easier things get for us, the more discontent we become. It’s like we’re always looking for the next best thing and living for tomorrow—when we’ll finally have it all—instead of living in today. The more spoiled we become as a society with technology and our cushy lifestyles, the more we complain. We dream about more, more, more, and then some more.

At a recent charity event, I met a financial advisor who deals with some pretty big time multimillionaire clients. He said that for his clients, the money is never enough; for them, making money is like a race with no finish line. They aren’t content, always looking to make more money. None of them ever seem to say, “I have enough money now, thank you.”

No one—not even multimillionaires—seems to know how to relax anymore and just enjoy the present moment. After all, it’s nearly impossible to be present when you’re in a hurry to catch the next best thing. It’s like climbing Mount Everest, reaching the top, and then doing it over and over again immediately after without ever enjoying the view. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

Everyone’s rushing to get to the top, all the while failing to realize that the “top” is just a mindset; it can be limitless if you let it be. Instead, people are in a great big hurry to get nowhere in particular. It’s like they’re running on a treadmill, trying to get to where they want to go and convincing themselves that they’ll only have worth when they reach that next “level." Everyone wants to save time getting to the top, but all they end up doing is wasting it.

In the classic book Walden , Henry David Thoreau stated: “Why should we live with such hurry and waste of life? We are determined to be starved before we are hungry. Men say that a stitch in time saves nine, and so they take a thousand stitches today to save nine tomorrow.”

Enjoy the Process

“The honey doesn’t taste so good once it is being eaten. The goal doesn’t mean so much once it is reached; the reward is not so rewarding once it is given.” – Pooh, in The Tao of Pooh

I recently re-read The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff; this short book uses Winnie the Pooh to explain the wisdom of Taoism. In the book, Hoff explains how opened Christmas presents aren’t as much fun as the process of thinking about opening them. This is pretty true, isn’t it? Every year it’s the same thing: The anticipation of Christmas is always a lot more exciting than Christmas itself, once it actually arrives.

That’s the same thing that happens with reaching a goal. Once we reach the goal, we don’t tend to enjoy it as much as we enjoyed anticipating it, and in no time at all, we’re on to the next one (and then the next one, and the next one...). Hoff offers the idea of trying to enjoy every minute of the time we spend during the process of working toward our goals. He explains, “…It is the process that makes us wise, happy, or whatever. If we do things in the wrong sort of way, it makes us miserable, angry, confused, and things like that.”

The trick is choosing the road that best suits you and finding happiness at as many stops along the way as you can. It’s important to pay attention to all the good things in our lives and enjoy them to the fullest in the here-and-now. That’ll be much more likely to bring about happiness than waiting for it to arrive after the goal is complete.

Happiness isn’t in trying to achieve goals; it’s in knowing that the process, not the outcome, is what’s most important, and that process shouldn’t be rushed. Finding happiness means taking the time to enjoy what’s around us today, appreciating that we’re alive, that today is all we have, and that the process is what really matters.

Once you finally reach your goal, take time to breathe the fresh air, celebrate, and treat yourself to a pat on the back (or something shiny). However, you decide to celebrate, know that you deserve to, at least, participate in enjoying your accomplishments.

Know You Have Value

No matter how worthwhile we are, it sometimes takes us a while to recognize our own value. I think sometimes we make ourselves believe we are in a rush because we try to compete against other people. People who truly believe in themselves stop comparing themselves to other people. Growing up in Miami, I saw a lot of people in a rush to gain fame and fortune. They want to buy happiness and feel superior, but what they don’t realize is that they can be happy and have value without doing that.

You have to first be appreciative of who you are by creating a solid sense of self apart from external things, seeing your worth in the process of life instead of at the end of some goal. Some of us have gotten accustomed to looking at the bad and constantly complaining about our lives. That gives us the motivation to look for more, instead of seeing the value in what we already have, and it removes the option of being happy with our lives in the now. That’s especially easy to do when you don’t take ownership of your life. Most psychology theories teach us to look at pathology and what’s going wrong in people's lives. It isn’t surprising, therefore, that we often take on the same perspective for ourselves.

In order to make a change, you have to train yourself to look at the unique, enjoyable moments you overlook as if they don't mean anything—like the fact that you’re alive and breathing! You have to remember how special and fortunate you are.

When you know this to be true, you’ll want to experience life and enjoy the process. You’re unique, and your life has meaning. No matter who you are, you have something to be grateful for; you have something to offer other than how many goals you reach. You have to believe that and honor yourself, your dreams , and who you are.

You are a miracle, so start acting like it. Time passes quickly, and you only have this one life to live; nothing is worth you wasting that. I remind myself this whenever I have my head in the clouds or find myself trying to rush to complete something. We all deserve to experience this life the way we are in this moment, with our full essence and authenticity .

I found a quote from an unknown author that fits perfectly with what I’m saying: “Breathe, my friend, you are not old. You are young, you are not a mess, you are normal. Extraordinary, perhaps. In the blink of an eye, your life will change. And it will continue to change for decades to come. Enjoy it. Embrace it…be grateful for the ride. You are not old. You are young. And faith will get you everywhere. Just you wait.”

Ilene S. Cohen, Ph.D. , is a psychotherapist and blogger, who teaches in the Department of Counseling at Barry University.

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Happiness is Not a Destination: How to Enjoy the Journey

What is happiness? Is it a destination or a journey? If happiness is a journey, then how do you focus on the journey, not the destination? And who said that happiness is a journey, not a destination? Which is a more important journey or destination when it comes to happiness?

We need to learn how to make the most of where we are today and enjoy the journey ; because If we spend our whole lives working, rushing and dashing, and trying to get to the ideal destination, we miss the journey getting there.

How to Enjoy the Journey When All You Want to Do is Reach Your Destination

If you’re not where you want to be in life, I want to let you know that, although the associated feelings may not be delightful, this is actually a good thing.

This means that you have aspirations and goals that you’re striving towards, and in striving towards them, you are growing and evolving into a better version of yourself.

All your wildest dreams just haven’t been realized yet , which may cause you to experience a bit of impatience and hopelessness, feelings that may be supplemented by inadequacy when you find yourself scrolling through other people’s highlight reels on social media. Having experienced this multiple times in my life, I’d like to share with you 4 lessons that I’ve learned along the way that may be useful for you on your journey.

1. Trust The Process

Several years ago, after one year out of the workforce, I decided that it was time to apply for jobs again. The job search process felt like an emotional roller coaster – I’d submit my resume, unsure of whether or not I’d hear back. When I heard back, I’d feel excited for the opportunity to go on an interview, and after the interview, I’d feel dejected because, through the interview, I realized that the company and I were not a good match for each other. This dragged on for weeks, which turned into months.

However, through the job search process, in order to keep myself grounded, I cultivated a daily meditation and yoga practice, which I maintain to this day. Had I secured a job right away and not gone through the emotional roller coaster, I probably would not have developed my personal mindfulness practice that has been a game-changer in my life. When I finally did land a job months later, it felt right –  it met every criteria I was looking for in a job.

2. Everything is Happening for You

When I was a college senior, I got a job in consulting through on-campus recruiting and was slated to join the Products & Services team at my firm. However, because I deferred my start date for a year, when I joined the firm a year later, there was no longer a need in Products & Services, and instead, I was placed on the Financial Services team, for which I had no interest.

In fact, I spent the bulk of my time at the firm trying to make an internal transfer to join another team where I felt like I could better leverage my skills and experiences.

Unfortunately, as I watched other people successfully transfer from one team to another, I was still stuck on the same team and wondered why I wasn’t able to do the same. My immediate thoughts were, “This sucks, and this isn’t fair.”

Then it dawned on me that if I’m unable to make an internal transfer, then maybe it’s time for me to look for another job outside of the firm.

Within weeks, I found a new job and moved to a company that was more aligned with what I studied and what I cared about.

With hindsight, I can see that it was a good thing that I was denied the internal transfer.

3. The World is an Abundant Place 

In college, I knew that there was only a limited number of seats available for coveted consulting jobs. So, if someone landed a spot, my chances just went down. As such, I believed that opportunities were hard to come by, and I developed a scarcity mindset .

I acknowledge that the job market may be tight and competitive at times. However, I also acknowledge that there are also 7.8 billion people globally, and with that many people, there are opportunities out there.

When we focus on the competition and how tight the job market is, life will become a self-fulfilling prophecy where we work to prove ourselves right. We focus on growth, so if we, instead, choose to focus on the fact that there are so many possibilities out there, some that we can’t even fathom right now, our minds will subconsciously work in ways to find those opportunities.

4. Everything has Always Worked Out, and It Will Continue to Do So

I was incredibly stressed out in high school and obsessed over every paper, quiz, and exam. If I could go back in time and visit my high school self, I’d tell her to stop worrying so much about getting into college, that everything will work out!

I was also very stressed out as a college senior because I was worried about my employment prospects. If I could go back in time and visit my college self, I’d also tell her to stop worrying so much about getting a job, that everything will work out!

When we are caught in the thick of things, it feels like we’re drowning in our worries, and it’s hard to come up for a breath of air and notice the horizon beyond where we currently are.

Perhaps you’ve felt stuck in the same place for a long time, worried if things will change. I promise you that the efforts that you’re making are propelling you forward, even if the results are not yet evident.

Your progress is inevitable – you may not see clear results tomorrow or the next day. However, a year from now, you’ll be at a much different place, where you’ll be able to look back and see how all that worrying was for nothing. When you trust that you’ll reach your destination, you’ll learn to enjoy the ride getting there.

photo source | adobe 

READ NEXT: How to Take Your Life From Stuck to Absolutely Amazing

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77 Positive and Inspiring Journey Quotes

Embark on a journey of a lifetime with these inspiring journey quotes. Life’s a thrilling ride, filled with ups and downs.

It’s about braving the storms and cherishing time spent with loved ones.

So whether your path is spiritual, an exciting travel adventure, or just starting something new in life, let these quotes fuel your spirit for exploration and discovery.

Journey quotes to begin your path towards greatness

1. “Never give up on your dreams, no matter how painful and difficult your journey is.” – Lisa

2. “The journey is never ending. There’s always gonna be growth, improvement, adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what’s right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment.” – Antonio Brown

3. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

4. “Sometimes its more about the journey than the destination.” – Jamal Crawford

5. “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” – Arthur Ashe

6. “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” – Greg Anderson

New journey quotes to inspire your success

7. “Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

8. “Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” – Drake

9. “Sometimes we make the process more complicated than we need to. We will never make a journey of a thousand miles by fretting about how long it will take or how hard it will be. We make the journey by taking each day step by step and then repeating it again and again until we reach our destination.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin

10. “Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci

11. “Struggle teaches you a lot of things, and I am happy that I witnessed a roller coaster ride. The journey has improved me as a person and made me more matrure.” – Manoj Bajpayee

12. “Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind.” – Henri Frederic Amiel

Life is a journey quotes

13. “Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.” – Oliver Goldsmith

14. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

15. “Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it.” – Lolly Daskal

16. “Life is a journey that have a lot of different paths, but any path you choose, use it as your destiny.” – Unknown

17. “The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday.” – Steve Maraboli

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18. “Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

19. “Everyday you got a chance to make your journey more beautiful than yesterday.” – Nitin Namdeo

20. “Every day is a journey and the journey itself is home.” – Matsuo Basho

21. “Everybody has their own story; everything has their own journey.” – Thalia

Enjoy the journey quotes

22. “Enjoy the journey as much as the destination.” – Marshall Sylver

23. “Enjoy the journey of life and not just the endgame.” – Benedict Cumberbatch

24. “Enjoy the journey and try to get better everyday. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci

25. “Enjoy the journey, the destination will come.” – Verghese

26. “Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy your life.” – Joyce Meyer

27. “Dream big, stay positive, work hard, and enjoy the journey.” – Urijah Faber

28. “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” – Oprah Winfrey

29. “Aim for the sky, but move slowly, enjoying every step along the way. It is all those little steps that make the journey complete.” – Chanda Kochar

30. “Enjoy the journey, enjoy every moment, and quit worrying about winning and losing.” – Matt Biondi

31. “Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.” – Babs Hoffman

32. “I haven’t been everywhere but its on my list.” – Susan Sontag

33. “You must remain focused on your journey to greatness.” – Les Brown

Inspirational journey quotes

34. “You can never regret anything you do in life. You kind of have to learn the lesson from whatever the experience is and take it with you on your journey forward.” – Aubrey O’Day

35. “Life is a journey. When we stop, things don’t go right.” – Pope Francis

36. “There’s no map for you to follow and take your journey. You are Lewis and Clark. You are the mapmaker.” – Phillipa Soo

37. “I’m different than most people. When I cross the finish line of a big race, I see that people are ecstatic, but I’m thinking about what I’m going to do tomorrow. It’s as if my journey is everlasting, and there is no finish line.” – David Goggins

38. “We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” – Marcel Proust

39. “Though the road’s been rocky it sure feels good to me.” – Bob Marley

40. “We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal we’ve established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile.” – Earl Nightingale

41. “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.” – Steve Jobs

42. “If my ship sails from sight, it doesn’t mean my journey ends, it simply means the river bends.” – Enoch Powell

Motivational journey quotes 

43. “Make voyages. Attempt them. There’s nothing else.” – Tennessee Williams

44. “Gotta take that adventure in order to understand your journey.” – Jennifer Pierre

45. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

46. “The beauty of my journey is that it’s always been pretty unpredictable, so stay tuned.” – Andreja Pejic

47. “The journey not the arrival matters.” – T.S. Eliot

48. “The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

49. “The goal is to die with memories, not dreams.” – Unknown

50. “Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering.” – Theodore Roosevelt

51. “The harder you work from something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it.” – Sudhashree Acharya

52. “Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” – Pat Conroy

53. “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – ILHQ

54. “When setting out on a journey do not seek advice from someone who never left home.” – Rumi

Positive journey quotes

55. “You may only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” – Mae West

56. “Every day you got a chance to make your journey more beautiful than yesterday.” – Nitin Namdeo

57. “Stay positive. Better days are on their way.” – Unknown

58. “Your destiny is to fulfill those things upon which you focus most intently. So choose to keep your focus on that which is truly magnificent, beautiful, uplifting and joyful. Your life is always moving toward something.” – Ralph Marston

59. “You make a life out of what you have, not what you’re missing.” – Kate Morton

60. “Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. Every sunrise begins with new eyes.” – Richie Norton

61. “Life is very interesting. In the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths.” – Drew Barrymore

62. “Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think you’ve lost time. There is no short-cutting life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time.” – Asha Tyson

63. “And suddenty you know…It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” – Meister Eckhart

64. “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” – Dolly Parton

65. “Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.” – Michelle Obama

66. “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

67. “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

Journey of life quotes

68. “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – Tony Robbins

69. “When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go.” – Carol Burnett

70. “Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll

71. “You take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing, no one to blame.” – Erica Jong

72. “If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.” – Dan Rather

73. “It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life’s story will develop.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

74. “Your Monday morning thoughts set the tone for your whole week. See yourself getting stronger, and living a fulfilling, happier & healthier life.” – Germany Kent

75. “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” – Lou Holtz

76. “Our lives are the journey we take to find our true selves!” – Alyssa Gonzalez

77. “Your braver than you believe, stronger that you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne

Which of these journey quotes were your favorites?

We all have the potential within us to be great.

But greatness isn’t about luck. It’s a choice.

We must choose to succeed and take steps towards it.

Remember, the path to success is a journey, not a quick leap.

Let these quotes inspire you to stay focused on your goals and dreams, no matter what obstacles get in your way along the path.

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“Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it.” ~Eckhart Tolle

I wake up. I take a look outside.

I take a breath in and just appreciate where this dream has taken me.

I want to be a ninja.

Yeah, it sounds a little strange.

Probably even weirder when I tell you I have a Master’s degree in education, am a former teacher, and I’m about to turn thirty.

You could call it a quarter life crisis, assuming I’ll live to be 120.

But I prefer to call it my life’s calling .

It is my childhood dream. So, when I say, “I want to be a ninja,” I’m talking about the ninja from my eight-year-old brain.

According to my eight-year-old brain a ninja:

• Moves to a far away land
• Trains extensively in martial arts
• Challenges the traditional methods of life and work

About a year ago I quit my job in America. I moved to Japan (a far away land). I now train full time in martial arts five to six days a week.

I’m doing everything within my power to turn this into a lifestyle. I write about my experiences in hopes of encouraging others to make the most of their lives.

It is easy for me to romanticize my life to the outside world, but the reality is that I can get just as caught up in the monotony of day-to-day life as anyone else.

After being in Japan for a year I can get so caught up with achieving my next goal, the next item on my to do list, that I forget how wonderful life truly is.

I live in a land with thousands of years of history, culture, and beautiful architecture.

And with all of this sometimes I can still walk through my day like a zombie.

I’m trying to be a gosh-darn ninja! Ninjas don’t move through a day like a zombie.

So, as I have become more and more aware of this, I have worked hard to make sure I am constantly enjoying my journey. If you’d like to do the same, I recommend trying these 10 action steps:

1. Take discovery walks.

It is so easy for the novelty of my peaceful neighborhood in Kyoto to lose its appeal. So, a couple of times per week I go on a fifteen-minute walk and try to discover ten new things. I have found small temples, a graveyard, a spring with fresh water, a playground, and some new friends.

It’s important to remember that there is always something new to be discovered in our everyday environments. Go on a walk and commit to finding 10 new interesting things. You might be surprised by what you discover.

2. Attend free local events.

When I walk around town, if I notice a sign that promotes an event, I write down the date, time, and location. The best part about these is that they are free and outdoors. I like to head to farmers markets where there is food, culture, and happy people.

Head to your local city or county office and get a list of all the upcoming activities. There are always some events going on. You never know what cool things you might find. If it’s something you wouldn’t normally do, that’s even more awesome!

3. Take lessons or classes.

I decided I would do something where I would feel totally out of place: I started attending Japanese tea lessons.

The makeup of the group includes: green tea, women over forty-five years old, and me, a twenty-nine-year-old dude from America. This is completely out of my comfort zone and new. And to my surprise, I love it!

Push yourself to try new activities, even if you think they aren’t for you. I never drink tea and used to have zero interest in tea ceremonies. But now, I have made new friends and experienced a new side to the culture.

Go out and start something new.

4. See the sights.

Some of the wonderful aspects about Japan are the beautiful temples and shrines. Every week I go out and explore these.

What are some famous sights in your area? Go check them out. If you have already been to them, try to discover something new about them. If there aren’t any famous sights in your area, then go discover ones that aren’t famous.

5. Keep a gratitude journal.

Everyday I write down at minimum five things I appreciated that day. Then at then at the end of the week I look over my list. This means I have thirty-five  reasons to be grateful (from the whole week).

Try it out. It can really increase your appreciation of day-to-day life.

6. Create stories.

It’s fun to make up stories in our heads about the world happening around us.

My favorite is creating stories about how people are on their first date. It’s really funny when I do this while in the grocery store!

Why is that person texting on her cellphone? Why is that child crying? Why is that woman giggling?

You might be impressed with your own creativity.

7. Bike more.

I bike everywhere. It’s amazing to me what I end up discovering while biking around Kyoto. I have discovered new restaurants, stores, temples, and even an English movie theatre.

Biking allows me to experience so much more because it is easy to stop, pull over, and go explore by foot. In a car, we move so fast that it is easy to miss out on all the awesome around us.

Go on a bike ride around your neighborhood. You might be shocked at some of the things you have missed while driving.

8. Create a detailed plan for your day.

I love planning out my day because it allows me to include all of the awesome things I want to happen. Time is going to move whether we plan it or not, so I figure why not take control and choose how we live our lives.

9. Get out of your comfort zone.

One of the most fun and challenging things I do is practice my Japanese with strangers. Sometimes, it’s a good conversation, and sometimes it goes nowhere. But either which way, it breaks me out of my comfort zone, and, more often than not, makes me feel alive .

Do something that takes you out of your comfort zone. It can be anything: try a new food, take some dancing classes, or maybe volunteer.

10. Take a break from the world.

Sometimes it can feel a little overwhelming living in a foreign country. The culture, language barriers, and challenges can get to me. I always take one day and plan nothing.

I read a good book, eat some good food, play some video games, do zero work, talk zero Japanese, and just relax. We all need a little time to do nothing every now and then.

If we take intentional action to make sure our lives stay fresh, we can enjoy the journey every day.

About Izmael Arkin

Izzy quit his job as a middle school science teacher to follow his childhood dream: to become a ninja. He now works with adolescents who have been through highly traumatic experiences using Aikido as a therapeutic modality to help them heal their trauma. You can find him at mendocinocountyaikido.com .

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• How to Enjoy the Journey and Stop Getting Ahead of Yourself

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” – Ernest Hemingway 

Have you ever noticed that people are always chasing the next thing or focusing on the next phase of life? I must admit that I struggle with this at times myself. I can get ahead of myself and forget to stay patient and present. Hey, when you want to achieve your dreams it can make the prospect of today a little less enchanting.

We are so busy creating our desired future that we completely forget to celebrate and admire today.

I believe in moving forward and doing the best we can each day to manifest our dreams, ( here is a post to help you do just that ) but if we aren’t careful about our intentions we’ll miss out on all the fascinating and exciting stuff along the way.

For instance, one of the clients I am working with currently is completely consumed with the next phase of her life. She is focused on what’s next and moving toward this vision. Helping her move toward this inspiring possibility is a major part of coaching, but in her case, she is so ready to reach the next phase of her life that she’s not having any fun or enjoying her day to day experiences.

She forgot how to be grateful for what she does have and more importantly that her happiness resides within her, not in the external goals she has set. It’s great and actually crucial to have a vision for the future. A vision helps us navigate our journey and make important decisions. But sometimes we get so wrapped up in getting where we want to be we stop enjoying life all together.

We end up dreading the journey and start to believe that our happiness depends on some life circumstances far off in the distance. You may have huge dreams and aspirations and I will support anyone in making these a reality. Just make sure to remember that when a day is over we don’t get that time back.

Five or ten years down the road make sure you can look back with joy at all the great memories you created!

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.” ― Maya Angelou

It’s equally important for your happiness and success to balance living for today and planning ahead for tomorrow.

So for this post, let’s slow down and take a moment to just experience the beauty around us right now.  Here are few tips to help you enjoy the journey if you’re feeling a little disappointed and struggling to stay patient.

You have permission to have fun

Life gets busy doesn’t it? We cram our day full of obligations and responsibilities, and if feels like we’re racing the clock to get things done.

It’s hard to make time for ourselves let alone use this precious time to have some “irresponsible” fun. But that might be exactly what you need. What do you want to do today? What would increase your happiness? Give yourself permission to do something that you really really enjoy doing.

“Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows.” ― Michael Landon Jr.

Focus on progress and little victories

You may not be exactly where you want to be in life, but I imagine you’re much further along that you were a couple of years ago right? Getting the results we want and the personal growth that supports these results is always a process. It is ongoing and may be a lifelong pursuit.

Recognize how far you have come in life and give yourself credit along the way. It’s easy to focus on all the work there is to still be done and to neglect all the progress we have made. Appreciate the small wins and successes that you have today! Give yourself a fair chance to change the world. It’s no small feat!

Embrace challenges, risks, and mistakes

On any journey there will be challenges and obstacles. For many people these obstacles aren’t viewed as a natural occurrence but as a reason to give up.

If you are going to enjoy the journey learn to have fun with challenges, and practice stepping into the unknown with curiosity and intrigue. Recognize that mistakes are stepping stones. Appreciate them for what they can teach you.

“I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.” –  Louisa May Alcott

Slow and steady wins the race

The idea of slowing down might seem counter intuitive when it comes to personal growth and improving your life. Why not go all out and make it happen as quickly as possible right? Well, sometimes slowing down is the only way to really gain clarity and experience the fullness of life. It is the frenzied obsession about accomplishing more and more, faster and faster, that leads to burnout and frustration.

Sometimes just slowing down and focusing on the next best step is all that needs to be done. You can enjoy the journey. Every step along the way. Have fun learning and growing, and stay curious about what today has to offer! Do you ever struggle with enjoying the journey? I would love to hear your thoughts and comments below!

I'm a licensed therapist and life coach who committed to honoring a life-long dream at 30 years old: becoming a professional drummer.

I started You Have A Calling because I'd like to help you achieve your dreams too. Find out more about my story here , or get started with our free tools today !

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Why it is Important to Find Joy in the Journey

I talk a ton about dreaming huge and crushing goals, and GOALS are vital. However, it’s the PROCESS that gets you there — the journey — that is the most important part. In this post I’d like to share with you why it is important to find joy in the journey.

While writing this, I am sitting lakeside at Lake Tahoe, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. The water is crystal, with parts that are brilliant blues and greens, and the mountains in the landscape are magnificent with snow caps on top. The coloring is just breathtaking, and pictures don’t do it justice.

Let’s take the process of the journey and break it down from start to finish. The destination is a crucial piece, but once you reach it, you will realize it is the shortest part of the whole process. The journey itself is the piece that changes us, and we need to find joy in that journey of growth.

What Does it Mean to Find Joy in the Journey?

I frequently refer back to when I broke my ankle a few winters ago, but it is pertinent to this topic because it was an unexpected journey in my life. It was a wall that got in the way of my goals, and I had a choice to make at that point. 

I could have chosen to be miserable, and no one would have blamed me. I could have chosen to be unhappy and go in that downward spiral of depression, which would have kept me from feeling content in my life right now. It’s important for us to find fulfillment exactly where we are.

That’s one thing Paul learned, and his trials were way bigger than mine. While in prison he wrote that he found the secret to being content in everything – having much or having nothing. What was his secret? Knowing God would give him the strength to endure (Philippians 4).

I wouldn’t have picked an injury for myself. I wouldn’t have said, “Hey, I want to break my ankle and change my whole life around.” However, I am going to find joy in this journey to recovery, and if I didn’t have that thought process, I don’t think I would be stronger or better for it. 

In fact, I would be miserable. If I complained all the time about, “Why did this have to happen to me,” I’d probably make my family miserable. If I chose a “woe-is-me” attitude, I’d probably make my friends miserable too.

I chose to find joy in the midst of it all.  Many people don’t realize that joy is a choice, but it is!

There are some positives that came out of this injury. I had the time to slow down, and it was probably an important time in my life to do just that and reflect on what truly is important. I had time to sift through all the responsibilities in my life and figure out what roles I needed to keep and what I needed to let go of.

The injury gave me more time with my kids to be more present with them. It also helped me to reflect on my goals, especially in running. What do I want to do in the next couple of years? What are my victory races going to be? Do I want to go for a personal best in the marathon once more? It helped me to dream and imagine again. 

Sometimes I get caught in a rut where I just keep doing what I’m doing and forget to think about it, process it, and find enjoyment in it.

Finding Joy in Your Own Journey

Everyone’s journey is different. Your journey may be just a short while, or it may take years. We need to be willing to find joy in the process because if we don’t find it during the journey, we won’t have it when we get there either.

It’s easy to think, “Well, when we get through this season, when we get through that season, when this is over, when that is over, then I’ll be happy.”

“When my kids are out of the baby stage, then I’ll be happy.”

“When my kids go to college, then I’ll be happy.”

“When I’m an empty-nester, then I’ll be happy.”

“When I get that promotion, then I’ll be happy.”

“When I win that race, then I’ll be happy.”

Here’s the reality, though: If you’re not happy where you are, then you won’t be happy where you’re going.

You can be content, but you don’t have to be stagnant. You can be content and still want more. Contentment means that you are joyful in the season that you’re in – whether you have plenty or you find yourself in the midst of a trial.

You can’t count on the destination to make you happy. You have to find joy in the journey .

Where is Joy in the Journey?

One of the main ways to find joy in the journey is to be grateful. Gratefulness, especially in the midst of trials, is one of the best ways to not focus on that obstacle or how much pain you’re going through.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NIV). 

The journey is the time to really enjoy the growth process. You may not see a plethora of change or much progress throughout that journey, but when you reach the summit, when you get to the destination, you will look back, and you will realize that you are a whole new person, and THAT is the glory of having a goal.

The journey will have its ups and downs. There are always ebbs and flows in life itself. The obstacles that we overcome give us a glimpse of victory and breakthrough along the way, and if we endure the trials with a joyful heart, when we get to the top, it’s even more rewarding because we know that we earned it. We know the process has changed us .

If you don’t enjoy the journey, you are going to miss out on all of the spectacular views.

While sitting near Lake Tahoe on a rock in the water, I realized I wasn’t anywhere near the summit. If all I did was focus on the top but not enjoy the view along the way, I would have been missing out on breathtaking, mind-boggling, no-words-can-express views.

Once we hit the summit (our goal) we will find out that the amount of time we spend there is so much more minimal than the time it takes to get there. If we only enjoy the view at the top, we totally miss out on the scenery along the way.

“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.” Andy Rooney, American television writer

Think about it like wishing away five days of the week just to get to the weekend. I know that Monday through Friday aren’t always the most appealing, and we want to enjoy the weekend experiences. However, there are seven days of the week, and wishing away the weekdays means we are only going to enjoy two of the seven?! What a miserable life!

We have to find joy in everything that we do. If we aren’t joyful in it, if it really gets us down, then we need to think about changing what we’re doing.

Joy is a Choice

Many of us will blame people and circumstances when things do not go our way.  Oftentimes, we are absolutely correct. Many situations are completely out of our control.

Does this mean we give up, pout, refuse to continue? Do we plod along in frustration, our heads bent to the wind and our hearts cold?

No!  

Joy is a choice. You can choose to be unhappy. You can choose to be angry and frustrated OR you can choose joy. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be happy, finding joy in the midst of a rough situation or the mundane.

What Does the Bible Say about Joy?

One of my favorite Bible verses that mention joy is from James 1. Here, James instructs us to be joyful in persecution. How can one be joyful in persecution? How can joy and persecution even coexist?

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”  (James 1:2-4).

I will let you in on a secret that scripture holds for us. Joy is not dependent on your circumstances. Joy comes from within!

David lets us in on the reason we can have joy.

“You make known to me the path of life;

    you will fill me with joy in your presence,

    with eternal pleasures at your right hand”  (Psalm 16:11).

Our joy comes from dwelling in God’s presence and doing His will. If God is leading you in the direction your journey is taking, then even the obstacles should be filled with joy.

“My lips will shout for joy

    when I sing praise to you—

    I whom you have delivered”  (Psalm 71:23).

Why do we have joy? Because God has delivered us from sin and despair. No matter where your journey leads you, no matter how things go your way or absolutely flop, you can rest assured that Christ’s work on the cross was for you and you have a reason to be joyful.

The joy of the Lord really is our strength.

The Final Stretch: Will You Find Joy in the Journey?

It’s great to focus on that destination, that end goal, but don’t forget about the journey that takes you there. Don’t forget to enjoy the sites, to take in those breathtaking views, and to enjoy that growth along the way. Find joy in the journey.

How will you find joy in your journey?

Step into the Fire and Come Out Stronger!

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In all things I pray, you just run YOUR race!

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Here and Now: How to Let Go and Enjoy the Journey

If we spend our whole lives working, rushing, and trying to get to this ideal destination, we miss the journey getting there

Do me a favor.

Just exist. Surrender yourself to the moment. Smile and breathe in all the magic that surrounds you, right now.

Did you do it? Be honest. It’s OK, there’s still time. If you skimmed over the opening of this article I am calling you out about it. It’s with love that I ask you to do this small favor, so take just a few moments to try and become present in the now. Just exist.

Not always easy, huh? Our society tells us to go, go, go. To climb the ladder of success and never give up until we are the best of the best. I know; I grew up with this mentality. My father was the president of large restaurant chains and often worked from sunup to sundown. He loved his work and devoted much of his life to it. That being said, family always came first. He not only taught me the importance of working hard, but also the value of enjoying life at the same time. If we spend our whole lives working, rushing, and trying to get to this ideal destination, we miss the journey getting there. The journey is what’s important, not the destination. It’s the here and now.

When you look up the synonyms of “here and now” you’ll find a long list, including “the present moment,” “reality,” and “real world.” It makes sense. The here and now  is  reality, and we have the infinite power to make it exactly what we want it to be. It feels pretty awesome to know that we are capable of something so substantial. We create our reality. Life is exactly what we make it.

If we spend our whole lives working, rushing, and trying to get to this ideal destination, we miss the journey getting there.

One of my yoga mentors once told me, “The future is a series of nows.” Ain’t that the truth? We spend so much of our lives thinking about things that are uncontrollable. We worry about things that haven’t happened yet. We create stress and lose sleep over our relationships and we end up missing the special, beautiful moments that could have and should have been experienced. Life is NOW. Everything you need and want is in THIS moment.

Every breath is a new opportunity to start over, alter our consciousness, evolve into a better version of ourselves, and to be happy. Allow yourself to transform. Change into the person you’ve always wanted to become. The universe wants to give you everything you need and want. All we have to do is be open and receptive.

Photo by Ali Kaukas for Wanderlust.

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How to Enjoy the Journey; Happiness is not a Destination

by Adam Eason | Jul 14, 2022 | Blog | 0 comments

“ Happiness is a direction, not a place”- Sydney Harris.

We often get so caught up chasing after goals or our dreams that we forget that real happiness can be found in the journey. You may think that you will be happy once you get the promotion you have wanted for so long, or you will be happy once you fulfil your lifelong dream of travelling the world. But the truth is that happiness usually lies in the journey and not just the outcome. With each dream, you have fulfilled or each goal you have accomplished, you may well continue to push the goalpost further and further away or continue to set further goals and work towards additional dreams.

As it turns out, no dream or goal is likely to make us happy forever. You may use your dreams and goals to motivate you, but don’t let your dreams get in the way of enjoying the journey of life to the fullest. Remember that you can give it your best shot but can’t always totally control the outcome. So, don’t let your happiness depend upon the outcome; try to make the most of the present moments – those that make up your actual life.

Once you do so, you will begin seeing things differently. You would start looking at the journey as an opportunity to learn rather than as a series of challenging landscapes you have to cross for your dreams to come true, appreciate what life throws at you because it will allow you to develop and grow stronger. You will stop looking for shortcuts to success and respect the progress you have made so far.

Here today are seven ways to enjoy life’s journey without missing it and getting bogged down with a destination so many get consumed with.

• Be grateful for the present moment.

Practising gratitude for all you have can make you see how lucky, privileged, and abundant you are. Don’t associate being grateful with settling for what you have. You can be grateful for what you have and still strive for more of your dreams to come true. Being grateful for what you have will allow you to enjoy the journey rather than depend on the destination as your only source of happiness.

Therefore, instead of being upset and sad that your business is not necessarily taking off, be grateful that you have accomplished your lifelong dream of running a business of your own. Be positive; hopefully, you will bounce back from this setback stronger. Don’t take anything for granted, and practice gratitude every day. Try listing down the things you have and the things you are grateful for every day. This list will remind you about the good that has befallen you, and this practice will keep negative thoughts at bay and make you much more optimistic.

You have so much to be grateful for. You are beautiful, strong, healthy, and resilient. Not only will being more grateful serve as a mood booster, but it will also positively affect your mental and physical well-being and allow you to enjoy the journey of life in a much better way.

• Identify how you want to feel.

You think you will be happy once you buy your dream house. This likely means that it is not the house you are after; it is the happiness it brings you that you want. You may not necessarily want a lot of money ; rather, you want to feel the freedom and confidence that comes with it.

You may not want the big promotion; you may want the respect and appreciation that comes with it. It is how certain achievements make you feel that you are usually striving for, not the things themselves. So do more things that make you feel respected, worthy, and happy. If you spend more of your life feeling how you want to feel when you reach the destination, you will be able to enjoy your life much more. If you have no clue how you can identify the way you want to feel, don’t worry.

On a daily basis, list two to three feelings that you want to feel. It can be happy, appreciated, respected, peaceful, satisfied, or joyful, for example. Then on the same piece of paper, write how you can create a situation that makes you feel that way right now instead of waiting to get to the destination. Then make those feelings happen. Schedule activities that would make you feel the way you want.

• Know that we spend all our time on the journey

We are always on the journey. We accomplish a dream, reach the destination, and then move on to the next journey. So, it naturally makes sense to enjoy the journey where you spend most of your time. Once you realise that it is the journey on which you spend most of your time, you will begin to enjoy your life much more. An example of holidays is relevant here. Most of us enjoy the holidays before Christmas more than Christmas itself. So, think of your journey as the holidays before Christmas and start enjoying it right now.

• Set milestones for yourself

While setting goals for yourself, make sure you break them into smaller milestones to make your journey more doable and uplifting. You can use the SMART goal criteria to plan and achieve your goals. SMART is a mnemonic acronym that George Doran first proposed. S stands for specific, M for measurable, A for achievable, R for realistic, and T for time-bound (though I prefer ‘Trackable’).

Setting goals using this criterion would allow you to get better results. Breaking down your ultimate goal into smaller goals would help you acknowledge the real progress you have made. It would motivate you and make you want to continue the journey. You will realise that you are constantly learning and making progress, which will help you keep going. Not doing so can make you feel demotivated compared to breaking down your ultimate goal into smaller milestones.

Seeing that you have spent this much time and money but have not achieved your goal can make you despair. So, set realistic and achievable goals for yourself that make you want to continue the journey and make it more joyful. Then enjoy the steps you take to get there and celebrate your progress along the way.

• Establish a routine for yourself

Creating a routine for yourself makes you closer to accomplishing your goal. Thus, in a way, it routinely makes you feel happier. On the other hand, not having a routine can make you feel the opposite of happy. It can cause you a great deal of stress and anxiety, hampering your productivity. According to Rachel Goldman, a licensed psychologist in NYC specialising in health and wellness, “when people don’t have a routine or structure to their day, it can cause increased stress and anxiety, as well as overwhelming feelings, lack of concentration, and focus.

” The word “routine” can be scary for some people as they feel it robs away their freedom. If you are one of those people, our advice is to see routine as a way of making your life more organised and productive. Break away from the stereotypes and stop thinking of having a routine as a cool thing, eliminating spontaneity and surprise from life. Not having a routine can increase the feelings of distress.

So, if you want to create a routine for yourself, Dr Goldman’s advice is that “a good place to start with creating a new routine is to set wake-up and bedtimes, as well as mean and activity times.” Hopefully, a routine will add more structure to your destination and make your journey more productive and satisfying for you. Read this brilliant article for more on this topic: Why you need routine in your life .

• Don’t focus on what you don’t have.

It is only human to make unhealthy comparisons and be hard on ourselves for things we don’t have. But just because our brains normally work this way doesn’t mean we have to stay this way. Good news! Science has discovered that we can re-grow our brain cells and change the structure and function of our brains by changing how we think. This means we don’t always have to be victims of unfair comparisons. It is important to realise that comparing yourself with others can negatively affect your mental wellbeing. It robs you of all the joy and causes you unhappiness. Comparing yourself with others is a trap. It makes you feel unsatisfied with life and overcomplicates your life. Read this article for more on this topic: Stop Comparing Yourself to Others .

Moreover, when you compare yourself with others, you tend to feel insecure about your accomplishments in life. This leads to misery, jealousy, and self-destructive behaviour. Don’t fall into this rabbit hole. You can easily put an end to this habit by focusing on things you do have. When you focus on the things you do have, you feel motivated, empowered, and confident. You start believing in yourself and become more resilient. It gives you the courage to bounce back from any setback that you might experience in your journey.

Moreover, it changes your outlook on life. You become more positive, which helps you enjoy the journey of life. So if you feel that you haven’t featured in a lot of films, unlike all the other popular actors, remind yourself of your acting skills. Doing so will motivate you since you will know it is just a matter of time before you get your big role.

A good way to enjoy the journey on your own instead of missing out on it because of your destination is to unplug now and then. Unplugging ourselves from technology and work can help us get more clarity in life. Although it is good to have goals to focus on, it is important to realise that the burnout culture is extremely detrimental to our health. It causes physical and mental stress and also manipulates us into thinking that our destination is our happiness, robbing us of our happiness and freedom.

Unplugging allows us to live in the present moment and savour it. It makes us appreciate the present and embrace that there are things beyond our control. We have a few tips for you if you struggle with work-life balance and find it hard to unplug. Don’t answer any work-related calls or emails after working hours. You can set up technology-free zones. For example, no phone or gadget in the dining room or bedroom.

Practice mindfulness. The mindfulness exercise aims to focus and live in the present moment and understand your present feelings without self-judgment. Mindfulness practices such as breathing exercises, meditation, and guided imagery are scientifically proven to fight anxiety, help reduce stress and relax the body and mind. Simple mindfulness practice can make a big difference in how you see yourself and your life. Hopefully, learning how to unplug will help divert your focus from the endgame to the journey.

The journey of life is one of the most beautiful things life has to offer. So, don’t miss it! Don’t second guess yourself and change your path just because you have received a few minor setbacks. And don’t waste your journey by searching exclusively for happiness in the outcome.

Although changing your concept of happiness is hard, it is not impossible. Remember that your destination will be so much more joyful if you enjoyed the journey that helped you reach this destination in our experience of setting milestones for ourselves, reminding ourselves that we spend most of our time on the journey, and being grateful for where we are works best when trying to learn how to enjoy the journey. All we have is right now. Life is short, so enjoy the journey for as long as it lasts. Stop seeing your destination as an accomplishment of a goal and let your destination be a surprise to you after a joyful and adventurous journey. And who knows? Maybe the destination we get to is a much better one than we imagined for ourselves.

It would only be right to end this article with a quote by Greg Anderson, “focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.”

Happy travelling!

Has this piqued your interest in this field? Then have a read of these pages:

1.  Would you like a satisfying and meaningful career as a hypnotherapist helping others? Are you a hypnotherapist looking for stimulating and career enhancing continued professional development and advanced studes? Explore the pages of this website. Adam Eason’s Anglo European training college . 2. Are you a hypnotherapist looking to fulfil your ambitions or advance your career? Hypnotherapist Mentoring with Adam Eason .

Likewise, if you’d like to learn more about self-hypnosis, understand the evidence based principles of it from a scientific perspective and learn how to apply it to many areas of your life while having fun and in a safe environment and have the opportunity to test everything you learn, then come and join me for my one day seminar which does all that and more, have a read here:  The Science of Self-Hypnosis Seminar . Alternatively, go grab a copy of my  Science of self-hypnosis  book.

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Enjoy the Journey: 4 ways to put this cliche to work in your own life.

As we wrap up this month talking about different ways we can savour our life, this phrase comes to mind, “Enjoy the Journey.” It is an overused cliche, but there is a lot of truth to it, and a lot that we can take from it.

I’m going to be talking about it specifically in the context of working on projects. These projects might be things that you do in your job, around the house, to help others or to improve your own life.

Savouring the work infuses mindfulness and gratitude into whatever we are doing. If we can find a way to savour the work, even the difficult parts of life, we can bring greater depth to our everyday experiences.

Start the Journey: Stop planning and put in the work

My favourite part of most projects is the planning stage. So I have a tendency to procrastinate a little in the planning stages (though I’m getting better about this). And I get impatient during the “putting in the work” stage. I kind of want to skip over that step, get the rewards, and move on to planning the next phase of the project, or the next project altogether.

And that is why the phrase “Enjoy the Journey” has been echoing in my mind. Because I know I can’t skip the work. And when I really think about it, I know that I don’t want to. There is a kind of magic that happens when you put in the work on projects that you care about. That’s why we start these journeys, why we put in the work on these projects.

This is the reason that I started this blog. I knew I wanted to explore the basic foundational habits that are necessary to thrive. So I thought and I planned and came up with the 7 Foundations for the Good Life . And I planned to write one post on each of those, then spend a month going deeper into each one. This month is the 5th out of the 7 that I’ve been following my plan.

There are so many things that learned about since I wrote my first post. And there is so much more to learn.

Learn on your Journey: You don’t know what you don’t know

You can plan all you want, but the best-laid plans tend to get derailed once life happens. I don’t mean that we give up on plans, or that there’s no point to making plans. Rather, once you start putting in the work, once you lean into enjoying the journey, you discover things that you had no way of knowing before you started. You can dream, you can visualize, you can plan, you can interview people who have been there before. But none of that will actually prepare you. Not like rolling up your sleeves and getting started. Getting started is the only way to really find out what you need to learn.

When you start, you don’t know what you don’t know. When I graduated high school, my plan was to go into the pharmacy program. I didn’t even know dietitians existed. I didn’t know that I could go to school to learn about nutrition. I probably wouldn’t have found out about it if I hadn’t go to the University of Saskatchewan where they have the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition.

I wouldn’t have been able to go on this journey I’ve been on to learn about how food affects our body. I wouldn’t have realized that what we eat is about more than food. I might not have started thinking about habits or the ideas that lead to this blog.

We don’t know what we don’t know. And we’ll never find out if we stick to the planning stage or skip over the work.

Continue the Journey: Keep going even when it gets hard

It is the difference between professionals and amateurs . Professionals put in the work, long after the amateurs have given up. The professionals find a way to fall in love with the process. They know that the work is going to pay off, but they also enjoy the journey . The professionals are the ones who master skills and improve their lives.

You can’t do everything all at once . So you can, and perhaps should, decide not to be a professional at some things. I’m never going to be a professional athlete, nor was I going to be at any point. I have no desire to put in the work to get there. It is not that important to me. Yes, I want to be active , but I’m not going to compete.

But there are other areas where I want to show up as a professional. To build the skills that are important to me, and to live the kind of life I want, I need to keep working on it, even when it gets difficult or boring.

Why Enjoy the Journey: The Good Life takes work

It’s an interesting phenomenon. I know I feel better physically and mentally if I do something active – go for a walk, do yoga, even doing the dishes. Yet once I sit down on the couch, I don’t want to move. I know I feel better when I’m working on a project, yet I also want to spend all day watching TV or reading a book. There does need to be a balance. We can’t work all the time, we also need to rest.

Yet, once I take a break, I don’t want to get back to working on my projects. Because it feels like work. It feels like I don’t have enough energy, yet I become energized by doing things. This is yet another way the phrase, “Enjoy the Journey”, can help. It reminds me that there is enjoyment in the work. It feels good to finish a project. It feels good to do something well. And it feels good to make things.

A journey may be long and arduous, yet it also allows us to grow . Enjoying the journey is about savouring the growth process. It’s not easy, it’s not comfortable. But that growth is what makes us feel that we are on the right path. It gives a depth of meaning to something that might otherwise feel like just a daily grind. The growth we experience when doing something new is also why we become energized by doing something a little difficult.

Bottom Line

Enjoy the Journey is a cliche. Yet it has been repeated so many times because there is truth to it. When you aim to savour the process, you’ll discover a few things:

Stop planning and put in the work Professionals put in the work. Amateurs quit. You don’t know what you don’t know The Good Life takes work

Let me know: What thoughts are circling in your mind after reading this?

You are reading this because you are interested in improving your life. That means we have something in common. I’m still working on what the Foundations for the Good Life is all about, and I’d love for you to join me in this journey. I’d love to build a community with you. With people who are trying to figure out what “the good life” means, and how to set up their life to make it possible for them.

If this interests you, join the newsletter to be the first to know about updates, new articles, and to try out tools as they are developed and improved. I hope to connect with you soon.

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The Creator's Classroom

Finding More Joy In The Journey

Life Is A Journey -7 Ways to Enjoy Life’s Ride

My parents went on frequent road trips when I was growing up. Like most young children, I frequently asked, “Are we there yet?”

When I became a teenager, I often fell asleep in the back seat of the car. When I awakened, my mother would tell me, “You missed so much.” My mom knew something that I didn’t know.  Life is a journey  with joy to be found all along the way.

What about you?  Do you need more joy in the journey?

Why life is a journey

The definition of a journey is traveling from one place to another. We begin   this trip at birth and end it at death.  In between is  the journey .

Our travels take us through the adventures of childhood, the responsibilities of adulthood, the changing seasons of life, a multitude of life lessons that we can learn, and all the wonder of seeing God in our everyday moments.

“Happiness is a direction, not a place.” Sydney J. Harris

Why the journey is important

On our family road trips, there was much to anticipate along the way.

We always wanted to know where was

• the next rest stop,
• the next restaurant,
• the next fuel stop,
• the next point of interest,
• and when we would arrive at our next motel for the night.

While some of these were quite mundane, they contributed to the overall experience of the trip.

Then there were the flat tires that detained us, the radiator leak, or the few times we spun out into a snowbank. Our trips were adventures. Each part built memories, stamina, and solid relationships.

Likewise, the experiences of anyone’s life journey contribute to who they are. This includes the mixture of happiness as well as the thorns of life. 

Life is not a destination

The outset of a long journey can blind us to the best things along the way. We sometimes are impatient and just like children ask, “Are we there yet?”

As a child, I could hardly wait to grow up.

Now that I am an adult, I have many pleasant memories of birthday parties, Santa, building snowmen, summer camp, learning to drive, and high school marching band, to name a few.

What a shame it would have been to rush through childhood and miss all the memories.

 Slowing down and making time to smell the roses can be a lifetime challenge.

The journey is full of treasures

The greatest part of a road trip is the expectation of new experiences and beautiful paths. 

Along this road we call life, there will be many adventures. Some will be exciting. Some challenging. Some may be ordinary and boring. But all contain hidden treasures just waiting to be found. All can enrich our lives and help us grow. I love inspirational quotes and this one is one of my favorites. 

“Everyone is on a treasure hunt.” Paul Tripp

Finding treasure is the best part of life. The only thing to remember is that it usually happens in small steps. It is often the little things that contain the biggest treasures.

7 ways to enjoy the journey of life

First and foremost, we must choose to enjoy our personal journey.  

Regardless of what happens in life, we are never victims . While other people and circumstances might impact our lives in ways we wish were not so, no one can control our responses.

We only journey this planet once so with that in mind, here are concrete ways to enjoy life.

1. Develop gratitude

Life often is a bumpy road with bad things that get in the way. God never promised an easy journey, but He did promise joy when we reach our ultimate destination. 

So is your joy battery dead right now? A sense of  gratitude  will quickly jumpstart it.

Gratitude makes what we have enough. It helps take away that “glass is half empty” thinking. We will never really enjoy life without the proper perspective. 

  Keeping a journal  is a great tool for developing gratitude, even  when you don’t feel thankful,   even in the hardest journey. It will improve your meaning of life in little steps and little victories. 

Gratitude will turn your ordinary life story into a fantastic story that God can use for His glory. 

2. Nurture friendships

A good friend is a treasure and as human beings, we all need good company as we travel to the journey’s end, especially in the tough times.

But like anything worthwhile, we must cultivate that connection. Friendships need attention to make them last.

Sharing the journey of life with someone else will make the road feel less bumpy while enriching both of your lives and creating a deep sense of joy and fulfillment. 

3. Live in the present

There is a saying that you should not look back because that is not the direction you are going. This is not 100% true. 

Dr. David Jeremiah  explains it this way. There is a reason that the mirrors on a car are only a fraction of the size of the windshield.

Safe drivers briefly glance in the mirrors but concentrate on what is ahead of them. Look back for the purpose of education, then move on.

If you struggle with regret over the past or have a hard time forgiving yourself, you will be robbed of joy in the journey. To have a happier life, you need to  rise above your past . It can be done.

4. Learn to forgive

The thought of forgiving others is something that many people get hung up on.

There are many misconceptions about  what forgiveness actually means . Sometimes we buy into those lies.

Yet the truth is that people who don’t forgive are miserable, missing out on much of the joy in life.

5. Read and listen to what is positive

Is what you read and listen to influencing you in a positive way? Do they tell you the truth about life, or do they send your emotions into a tailspin?

Moviemakers take advantage of the way  music influences our feelings  in order to pull us into the experience.

Social media, news, magazines, books, and music can have a huge impact on our ability to have, or not have joy in the journey.

6. Experience nature whenever possible

God has given us a whole world to enjoy. On a day when I was feeling a bit melancholy, I started looking around. Here is what I found:

• Red kitty playing with a leaf
• Big sound from a little hen
• Rough bark on a big oak tree
• The smell of rose petals unfolding in the garden
• The sound of birds exchanging greetings in the trees

As my list grew, I smiled.

Nature can help us  slow down and discover needed joy. When we examine it closely, nature creates a sense of wonder and awe.

If you live in the city, you may think that experiencing nature is not possible. Let me assure you that there are  many ways to explore nature  without going to the woods.

7. Journey with God

The most important thing about our spiritual journey is taking God with us. We do that by accepting the good news of new life through Jesus. This step of the road makes it possible to live life with no regrets. 

The book of Proverbs contains many good thoughts on how to have a successful life. One treasure is found in chapter 3, verses 5 and 6.

• It says that when we  trust God , not trying to figure things out all by ourselves, He will guide us.
• We won’t get lost in this journey of discovery.

While life will take different paths and have different meanings for each of us, God is the perfect GPS to guide us to our final destination. 

In contrast, the longest journey where you always wonder, “Are we there yet”, is to live life without Jesus.

• There is no real hope when you suffer the pain of loss.
• You can’t truly enjoy the beautiful journey of today for fear of what will happen tomorrow.
• The only impossible journey is this one. 

Bible verses about life’s journey

Jesus said that He came to give us life, an abundant, joyous life. (John 10:10) That comes when we journey with God.

In the book of Philippians, chapter 4, verses 6-8 we are told that

• The way we think will affect how much joy and peace we have in our lives.
• If we pray without gratitude we likely will have anxiety.
• What specifically to think about. No guesswork here.

“Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, good, excellent, worthy of praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

A gift for your journey

Because new habits take time to develop, we often need reminders to keep us on track. The following are gifts that I hope will help and encourage you.

When I was going through a difficult point in my life, I chose music that was uplifting. “Experience Joy Instrumental” , by Integrity Music, is a 60-minute recording of happy music that will lift your spirits. It is available on Youtube and Spotify.

I also would like to give you these scripture cards as a reminder of the power of your thoughts. You can download them with no email required.

This Bible verse card deck can be cut apart, laminated, carried in your purse, or hung on the rearview mirror of your car to remind you that real joy comes from Jesus. They are also free.

I pray that you will enjoy the ride on this journey of life. You might also want to read the following:

• Who your friends are and why it matters
• 33 ways to enjoy God’s creation
• How to find hope through Christian music
• Why be thankful when you don’t feel like it
• Christian faith for beginners

2 thoughts on “Life Is A Journey -7 Ways to Enjoy Life’s Ride”

I love it, your words beautifully add new perspectives to me.

Thanks to the Lord Jesus, the author of all truth and the giver of all gifts and talents!

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SOLO TRAVEL , SOLO TRAVEL INSPIRATION

100+ life journey quotes to inspire you.

Life is a journey. How often have you heard that?

As we find our road through life, we all need inspiration and guidance. And this is never so true as when we are travelling, especially as solo travellers. 

This can come from many sources: friends, family, self-help books. But sometimes, a simple quote about life’s journey can provide inspiration or make us view our path through a different lens. 

Drawing on the writings of authors and poets, scholars and spiritual leaders here are my favourite life journey quotes. Is your favourite there? 

Are you looking for a short and sharp travel caption to add to your images or social media feed? If so, check out these dreamy travel captions

IN THIS ARTICLE

My Top 10 Life Journey Quotes

There are many quotes about life as a journey out there and picking a list of favourites is a tough call. From Maja Angelou to Mark Twain, here are those that continue to inspire me.

1. Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away. – Maya Angelou

2. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did so. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.   – Mark Twain

3. Remember where you have been and know where you are going. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way. – Nikita Koloff

4. We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.  – Paulo Coelho

You are far from the end of your journey. The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart. See how you love. Buddha

6. You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. – C.S. Lewis

7. When setting out on a journey do not seek advice from someone who never left home. – Rumi

One of the greatest journeys in life is overcoming insecurity and learning to truly not give a shit.  J. A. Konrath

9. Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant. – Robert Louis Stevenson 

10. Sometimes life takes you on a journey that changes everything you thought you wanted. – Melaina Rayne

Life Journey Quotes: First Steps

Every journey begins with a single step. Taking that first step is often the hardest part of any endeavour, whether that’s booking your first trip alone , quitting your job or moving overseas.

Be inspired to take the plunge with these inspirational life journey quotes.

11. Big things have small beginnings. – Prometheus 

12. The only impossible journey is the one you never begin . – Tony Robbins

13. A little step may be the beginning of a great journey. – Unknown

14. If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all. – Dan Rather

15. Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone’s hand is the beginning of a journey. – Vera Nazarian

Beginning are usually scary and ending are usually sad, but it’s everything in between that makes it all worth living. Bob Marley

The Next Steps: Quotes on the Journey of Life

But that first step is just that; the first step on the road of life. Life – and travel – can present a series of obstacles to overcome.

17. Life’s journey is a collection of stories. Make yours a bestseller. – The Flashpacker ( Bridget Coleman )

18. One may walk over the highest mountain one step at a time. – John Wanamaker

19 . … a journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it. – John Steinbeck

20. To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping. – Chinese Proverb 

21. Life is a journey. When we stop, things don’t go right. – Pope Francis

22. The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That’s all there ever is. – Alan Watts

23. Life is a journey, travel it well. – Unknown

The key to realising a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.  Oprah Winfrey 

25. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. – Helen Keller

26. No journey is too great, when one finds what one seeks. – Friedrich Nietzsche

27. Aim for the sky, but move slowly, enjoying every step along the way. It is all those little steps that make the journey complete.  – Chanda Kochhar

28. A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike . – John Steinbeck

29. No journey is too great, when one finds what one seeks. – Friedrich Nietzsche

30. A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. – John Steinbeck

31. I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. –  Jimmy Dean

32. Your journey will be much lighter and easier if you don’t carry your past with you! – Tamara Kulish

33. May the stars guide you on your journey, and your heart always lead you home. – Melaina Rayne

Life is a Journey Quotes to Inspire Solo Travellers

Any seasoned solo traveller knows that travelling alone has the power to change your life . But sometimes it can be difficult to find the words to describe your experiences. 

To empower you to travel alone , here is the pick of the best life journey quotes that can be applied to solo travel.

34. It’s your road, and yours alone, others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you. – Rumi

35. No one can decide the road that inspires us to kick-start a journey better than the one embarking on the path. We may find others joining our journey, but we have to take the first step alone to reach our destination.  – Dr Prem Jagyasi

36. Don’t be scared to walk alone. Don’t be scared to like it. – John Mayer

37. Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone. – Buddha

There are some places in life where you can only go alone. Embrace the beauty of your solo journey. Mandy Hale

39. No one you have been and no place you have gone ever leaves you. The new parts of you simply jump in the car and go along for the rest of the ride. The success of your journey and your destination all depend on who’s driving. – Bruce Springsteen

40. The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready. – Henry David Thoreau

41. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. – Neale Donald Walsh

42. If you make friends with yourself you will never be alone. – Maxwell Maltz

I have traveled many roads in my life. Some were imbued with pain and I needed to avert my gaze. Others were so beautiful that I would have remained there forever. But always, at some point in these routes, I reached a place where I encountered myself. Pablo Holmberg

44. The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before. – Albert Einstein

45. Not everyone will understand your journey. That’s okay. You’re here to live your life, not to make everyone understand.  – Banksy

Are you looking for more quotes to inspire you to travel alone? If so, check out these inspirational solo travel quotes

Making Friends on the Journey of Life

Of course, none of us needs to be alone. Other people can play a huge part in our life journey.

46 . A journey is best measured in friends, not in miles . – Tim Cahill

47. Friends are as companions on a journey, who ought to aid each other to persevere in the road to a happier life. – Pythagoras

48. In this journey of life, you will meet people who will make you feel alive! – Avijeet Das

49. On a hard jungle journey, nothing is so important as having a team you can trust. – Tahir Shah

50. Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. – Izaak Walton

The main thing that you have to remember on this journey is, just be nice to everyone and always smile. Ed Sheeran

52. Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind. – Henri Frederic Amiel

53. We never know the journey another person has walked, so be kind to everyone. – Lynette Mather

Having Faith in Yourself: Best Life Journey Quotes

Life throws obstacles at us, and it can be difficult to believe in yourself and in your ability to deal with these challenges. Even with those important first steps, you sometimes have to throw caution to the wind. 

54. Let your mind start a journey thru a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be…Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar, and you’ll live as you’ve never lived before. – Erich Fromm

I believe that life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel, but we are well equipped for it if only we tap into our talents and gifts and allow them to blossom.  Les Brown

56. Trust yourself, trust the road, trust the weather, and trust your destination! This quarto-trust can create a miraculously successful journey!  – Mehmet Murat Īldan

57. Have faith in your journey. Everything had to happen exactly as it did to get you where you’re going next! – Mandy Hale

58. Things are only impossible until they’re not. – Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek ( the Star Trek universe can teach us much about travel )

Finding Your Path on Life’s Journey

As profound as it may seem, sometimes getting lost is the first step to finding our way on the journey of life, and there is not necessarily one right path. The correct path is the one that is right for you. 

59. In the middle of the journey of our life I found myself astray in a dark wood where the straight road had been lost sight of.  – Dante Alighieri

60. Some beautiful paths can’t be discovered without getting lost. – Erol Ozan

You have to get lost before you can be found. Jeff Rasley

62. Life is a journey that has a lot of different paths, but any path you choose use it as your destiny. – Ryan Leonard 

63. This thing we call life is not a destination with an end but a path down which we continue to journey as long as we can breathe. Life is to be lived not squandered or to give away waiting for the end to close upon us.  – Byron Pulsifer

64. The path isn’t a straight line; it’s a spiral. You continually come back to things you thought you understood and see deeper truths . – Barry H. Gillespie

65. Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lessons Learnt Through the Life Journey

Some of the best life journey quotes relate to the lessons you learn along this journey. Many of these lessons may not be obvious at the time, especially in tough times, but ultimately they help shape who we are.

66. A journey taken in vain is not a wasted journey if you have learnt something. – Anthony T. Hincks

67. All journeys have secret destinations of which traveler is unaware. – Martin Buber

68. Always remember life is a learning journey. Keep filling your mind with all that is worthy. – Catherine Pulsifer

69. One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. – Henry Miller

Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it.  Lolly Daskal 

71. We do not receive wisdom, we must discover it for ourselves, after a journey through the wilderness which no one else can make for us, which no one can spare us, for our wisdom is the point of view from which we come at last to regard the world. – Marcel Proust

72. Travel far enough, you meet yourself. – David Mitchell

73. In order to complete our amazing life journey successfully, it is vital that we turn each and every dark tear into a pearl of wisdom, and find the blessing in every curse. – Anthon St. Maarten 

74. What you learn in tough times can be used in many ways to bless your personal life journey.  – Scott Gordon

75. Sometimes in your life you will go on a journey. It will be the longest journey you have ever taken. It is the journey to find yourself. – Katharine Sharp

Enjoy the Journey Quotes

Ultimately, what is it all for unless you enjoy the journey?

As travellers, we are often guilty of fixating on the destination, instead of learning to enjoy the journey, and celebrating the triumphs instead of stressing about the difficulties.

76. Roads were made for journeys not destinations. – Confucius

77. Life Is What Happens When You’re Busy Making Other Plans . – John Lennon

78. The journey is the reward. – Tao Expression

79. In the tapestry of life, every thread matters. Weave a journey worth treasuring. – The Flashpacker (Bridget Coleman)

80. Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever. – Peter Hagerty

81. It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.  – Ernest Hemingway

82. Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. – Greg Anderson

83. Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination . – Drake

84. Accomplishments will prove to be a journey, not a destination. – Dwight D. Eisenhower

85. And at the end of the day, there is nothing but the journey. Because destination is pure illusion. – Rich Roll

86. Life is a journey, not a destination. Learn to enjoy the ride. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

If ever there was a metaphor to illustrate the importance of the journey over the destination, it is life itself. For everyone who departs from birth is destined for death, so the journey IS life. Savor it! Michele Jennae

88. The journey in between what you once were and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life takes place. – Barbara De Angelis

89. Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.  – Arthur Ashe

It is not the destination where you end up but the mishaps and memories you create along the way! Penelope Riley

91. Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think you’ve lost time. There is no short-cutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time. – Asha Tyson

92. Embrace your life journey with gratitude, so that how you travel your path is more important than reaching your ultimate destination. – Rosalene Glickman

93. Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. Winnie the Pooh

94. Let your joy be in your journey – not in some distant goal. – Tim Cook

95. Live now; make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again. – Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek

96. Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore. – Andre Gide

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride! Hunter S. Thompson

98. Every day is a journey filled with twists and turns. Every day, if you smile, you will feel alive, my son. – Santosh Kalwar

99. Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.  – Fitzhugh Mullan

100. I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be . – Douglas Adams

101. We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. – T.S. Eliot

102. Life is an opportunity, seize the day, live each day to the fullest. Life is not a project, but a journey to be enjoyed. – Catherine Pulsifer

103. I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be. – Douglas Adams

104. Time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it will never come again. – Captain Jean Luc Picard in Star Trek

Life Journey Quotes: Final Thoughts

Life for me, like travel, is all about the journey. The shape of that journey is up to the individual.

I hope that these life journey quotes help inspire you to live your best life. That’s all that any of us can aim for.  

Enjoy the journey.

Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind. Anthony Bourdain

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at [email protected] or follow her on social media.

Big Vision Life Coach Open to new possibilites!

Why It Is Important To Enjoy The Journey & The Destination.

March 17, 2021 Blog , Clients Leave a comment

3 Powerful Reasons Why We Must Learn To Love And Enjoy The Journey Of Our Life.

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” – Arthur Ashe –

We are all on a journey towards a destination. That destination could be to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee or to climb the summit of Mount Everest.

We may have a goal to purchase a new car, start our own business, travel to another country, change careers or get married and have a family. Every destination presupposes a journey and that journey is in most cases much longer than the time spent at the destination.

If you tend to get caught up not enjoying the journey, and only focusing on the destination, you need to explore the following reasons why the journey in some cases is far more important than the destination or goal.

Reason No 1 – We spend 99% of our time on the journey. That’s right, we spend most of our time on the journey of our life. We reach our goal and we are back on another journey towards another destination.

Doesn’t it make so much more sense to enjoy the 99% as well as the 1% destination? Makes perfect sense to me.  

Planning for a holiday is a good example. What’s the best part of a holiday? For me, it’s the days, weeks, or months before the actual holiday. We are so looking forward to the holiday that we can already start to enjoy it now, in our imagination, before we even pack our bags.

When we stop to think that our whole life is a journey of one sort or another. We are always on the journey of life towards a specific destination.

Let’s put things in perspective and start to enjoy our journey, so when we do reach our destination, it will be all that much more enjoyable.

Reason No2 – Keep an elevated emotion to attract the destination.

When we understand how energy works in our life, we realize that like energy attract each other.

I need to be vibrating at the same energy frequency during the journey as the energy frequency at the destination. When I can do this, I will be pulling that destination much closer, sooner, into my reality.

When I’m not enjoying the journey, frustrated, upset, or angry I will be a miss-match of energy at my destination, and I will be pushing it away, I will be repelling rather than attracting.

Everything is energy so we need to understand how to vibrate at the same energy frequency as my destination.

Not only will I enjoy the journey more, but I will also reach my destination sooner in most cases.

Reason No3 – Expand our positive life experience.

I’m a coach, and I’m passionate about helping Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, and C Level Management to enjoy their moment-to-moment life experiences and their destinations.

Our life is one big experience that we are having every moment of the day. When business Executives are so focused on the outcome, destination or goal they tend to lose the ability to enjoy the present moment.

This is a psychological muscle that has become so weak over the years of building the business. It’s become so weak they have forgotten how to expand their positive experience of the present moment.

By expanding our positive experience of the present moment we become a different person. We are happier, more relaxed and focused, more creative, and easier to work with.

If we live in the fight or flight mode for too long, worrying about the future destination, not being present, not enjoying the journey, we risk our own health and the health of the company.

“ The great science to live happily is to live in the present.” PYTHAGORAS

Conclusion:

Have your destination, your outcomes, and goals, and remember they exist so we can become the person to own them.

The journey is a becoming. It’s becoming the person we need to be to be able to have the destination. If my destination is to be a millionaire, I need to become a millionaire before I can have the million dollars.

All the work, growth, expansion, and enjoyment are in the journey, not the destination. Once we arrive at the destination it will be so much more enjoyable if I first was able to enjoy the journey. After a few deep breaths and enjoying the destination, we are back on another journey.

Paul Simos is an accomplished Executive Life Coach, Health Coach & Certified Trainer. He has a fundamental belief about his clients which frames how they work together i.e. they already have everything they need to achieve success. His role as a coach is to stimulate and challenge his clients to unlock their successful beliefs, skills, and behavior patterns.   Free Masterclass Training , How To Get More Successful Outcomes In Your Professional & Personal Relationships… By Saying “NO” (The Right Way)…

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Create A Great Life

With meerabelle dey, how to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

The challenge when trying to accomplish any Big Goal is that 95% of your time will be spent in your journey toward that goal.  You then may spend 5% of your time enjoying having reached your destination.  After that, you’ll soon pick another Big Goal to tackle!  So, life is spent in this never-ending journey of striving toward one goal and then another.  As a result, if you want to really enjoy life, you have to be able to find fulfillment in the individual journeys toward those goals, and not just in their destinations.

Admittedly, that’s hard to do!  That’s because the journey is fraught with uncertainty.  After all, when we are striving toward a goal, we have no idea if it will come to pass.  We are simply moving forward based on the faith that we can do it.  That can feel uncomfortable, to say the least.

But the key to enjoying the journey is to take your focus away from the uncertainty.  Instead, your focus should be on enjoying the journey itself.

As a very simple example, let’s say that your goal is to become fluent in French.  That’s a goal that will take a long time to achieve, unless you move to a French-speaking country.  But while you are in the process of learning French, you don’t have to fret over how long it will take you to become fluent.  Instead, you can just enjoy the learning process! 

One way to enjoy the process is to track your progress each day.  You also might immerse yourself in French culture by cooking French food, reading French literature or watching French films.  You might even join a Francophile club.  All of that is really fun, and you haven’t even become fluent yet!  That’s how you enjoy the journey!!

Below are ways to stop worrying about your destination and to start enjoying your journey toward your goals.  If you learn to enjoy the process of getting to your goals, you’ll truly start enjoying life!

Embrace the Present Moment

In any given moment in life, there are good things happening and bad things.  That’s the nature of life.  Your life is never going to have a single moment or period when everything is perfect.  Once you accept that fact, it is much easier embrace your life as it is in the present moment.

For instance, let’s say that your goal is to graduate from college.  That takes 4 long years.  It may take longer if you are doing your studies part-time.  But you will waste years of your life if you only can be happy once you have that degree. 

Instead, embrace the present moment.  Take classes that inspire you.  Get to know your professors and the other students.  Simply enjoy the learning process!

A couple of years ago, my husband and I moved my daughter into her dorm room for her freshman year at college.  Before we left, I was trying to find the right words of advice to give her.  Ultimately, the advice I gave was this: “Take as much as you can away from this experience.  College is expensive, so get the highest rate of return on this investment.  Live your college experience to the fullest.” 

Well, three years later, I can attest to the fact that she has done exactly that.  She has attacked her school work and gotten straight As.  She’s taken fascinating classes, and as a result, she has become a highly intelligent, knowledgeable and insightful young lady.  She truly is enjoying her 4-year journey toward her college degree to the fullest.

So, embrace each moment of life.  Don’t just fixate on your end goals, but live life to the fullest during the journey toward those goals. 

Set Periodic Milestones

We can get discouraged during our journey toward a goal if we don’t feel that we are making progress.  The challenge is that when we are pursuing Big Goals, progress can be slow. 

For instance, if you are trying to get fit or lose weight, you may not notice a difference in your physique after only one week or even one month of working out.  Or, if you are trying to advance your career, it may take a couple of years to bolster your resume so that you can be hired for a better job.

In short, Big Goals simply aren’t achieved overnight.  Instead, they take months, if not years, to accomplish.  So, to enjoy your life while working toward a goal, it helps to set periodic milestones.  Those milestones are mini-goals which you can more easily accomplish and celebrate!

For instance, let’s say that you have a Big Goal to become healthier.  You might set a milestone of walking 10,000 steps a day for one week.  Then, when you achieve that goal, you can give yourself a pat on the back or treat yourself to a frozen yogurt! 

The idea is this: You aren’t going to resolve all your health issues in one week.  Or even in one month.  So, to enjoy the journey toward good health, set periodic milestones, like walking a certain number of steps in a week.  Then each week, you can feel a strong sense of accomplishment, even if you haven’t yet achieved your Big Goal of great health.

When we set periodic smaller goals during our journey, suddenly our journey becomes a lot more fun!  That’s because those smaller goals translate into “small wins” that we can celebrate along the way.

Be Grateful for the Process

Admittedly, you can go through life without having any Big Goals.  And there’s nothing wrong with that.  Big Goals take a lot of time and effort.  But if you don’t set some Big Goals for yourself in life, you’ll be missing out. 

That’s because anytime that you set a Big Goal for yourself, a whole world of new experiences opens up to you.  You learn things that you didn’t know before.  You develop new skills, and you sometimes even meet new people.

For example, my Big Goal is to grow the “Create A Great Life” website so that people from all over the world will turn to it when seeking advice about how to live a happier, more fulfilling life.  However, growing a website’s readership takes time! 

The good news is that while I work at growing the website, I also am enjoying the process.  I love writing about topics that I think may help my readers.  And once in a while, I receive an email from a reader who expresses appreciation for one of my blog posts.  When I receive those emails, my heart feels so full of gratitude.  The process of growing the website is something that I truly enjoy.

So, don’t just focus on your end game.  Be grateful for the process involved in reaching your goals.  Through that process, you’ll be blessed with new experiences, meeting new people, and hopefully learning new things.

Embrace Challenges and Setbacks

Big, meaningful goals test us.  They test our ability to persist.  They force us to ask ourselves, “In the face of significant challenges and setbacks, can I keep striving toward this goal?”  For many people, the answer to that question is “No.”  And they give up.  The folks who ultimately achieve Big Goals are those who are persistent.

Big goals also give us a good dose of humility.  It’s easy to be arrogant if you’ve never experienced a setback.  But that also means that you’ve never tried to do anything significant.  Striving toward a big goal is a humbling experience because you learn that you aren’t always going to do everything perfectly. 

For example, during her lifetime, my mother achieved a Big Goal of getting a degree in piano from the Toronto Conservatory.  She recently passed away, and as I was going through her belongings, I found the performance evaluations that she received along the way toward getting her degree.  Some evaluations were quite complimentary, and some were critical.  But she didn’t become discouraged by the occasional negative evaluation.  Instead, she continued to work until she received her degree.  That takes tenacity! But those evaluations also imbued her with a reasonable sense of humility.

So, embrace the challenges and setbacks that you face while pursuing a Big Goal.  Realize that those obstacles are transforming you into a different person.  They are making you humbler, and at the same time, they are making you more tenacious.  And those are two great qualities that we should all want to possess!

The Journey Teaches Us to Be Flexible and Adaptable

Unfortunately, the journey toward any Big Goal is not going to be linear.  There will be bumps and obstacles along your path.  And those bumps and obstacles are our teachers.  They teach us to be flexible and adaptable.

Now, if you just want to putter along in life without any bumps in the road, you can do that!  You can fashion a life with no challenges, and as a result, life can be relatively smooth.  But the bumps teach us the important life skills of flexibility and adaptability.

For example, when I was in high school, I had a Big Goal of getting a college degree.  Unfortunately, in the United States, college is very expensive, and my parents didn’t make enough money to send me to a college in the U.S.  But I didn’t want a lack of finances to prevent me from going to college.  So, I pivoted.  I applied and was accepted to a university in Canada where getting a degree was substantially less expensive.  Fortunately, I ended up getting a great education and had a wonderful experience there.

But to accomplish my goal, I had to be flexible.  I couldn’t just say, “Well, if I can’t go to college in the U.S., then I guess I’ll give up on that dream.”  I had to be willing to go to another country to get my degree.  And I also had to be adaptable.  I had to adapt to living in another country, a long way from home. 

The good news is that those early lessons in being flexible and adaptable have helped me ever since.  Now, anytime I have a Big Goal that I want to accomplish, I’m ready to make whatever adjustments are necessary so that I can accomplish it!

So, realize that during your journey to a Big Goal, you’re developing the valuable skills of flexibility and adaptability.  Those skills will not just serve you in pursuing this goal, but they’ll help you when pursuing all sorts of goals in the future.

Of course, the destination is important.  Anytime that you achieve a Big Goal, it’s an incredible accomplishment.  But also remember that the journey toward that goal is where growth, learning, and fulfillment occur.  So, find joy in the journey!  Realize that as you journey towards your goals and aspirations, you are benefitting in a million and one ways! (To read about the secrets to self-motivation, click here .)

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The vorfreude secret: 30 zero-effort ways to fill your life with joy

How can you change your life for the better today? Learn not just to appreciate happiness – but to anticipate it

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B e honest: there are times when you have felt schadenfreude, or “delight in another’s misfortunes”. But what about v orfreude ? I recently came across this lovely word, which my German-speaking friend translated as “the anticipation of joy”. It struck me as such a hopeful concept – surely we could all do with less schadenfreude and more vorfreude . So what exactly is anticipatory joy, how do we cultivate it and will it make us happier?

“The idea is to find joy in the lead-up to an event,” says Dr Sophie Mort , a clinical psychologist and mental health expert at the meditation and mindfulness app Headspace . “For example, we often feel joy and excitement when planning a trip, thinking about going on a date or anticipating a special meal.” It’s easy to look forward to holidays and special occasions, but a joy-filled life is also about everyday occurrences. Rory Platt, a writer at the personal development company The School of Life , says: “The trick lies in filling our calendar with lots of little moments to look forward to – like tiny baubles that, when seen from a distance, combine to make a more glittering future.”

But vorfreude is not about wishing your life away and thinking you will be happy in an imagined future. “Looking forward to something can trigger joy in the present moment,” says Karen Neil, a health coach and the founder of Mindful Medicine . This can boost your mood, reduce your stress levels and help to avoid burnout. A  2017 study published in Frontiers of Psychology found that anticipating positive events activated the brain’s medial prefrontal cortex, which is associated with a higher level of wellbeing.

Doesn’t getting your hopes up risk disappointment? Perhaps it’s safer to keep expectations low. Emma Mills , a mindfulness expert and the author of Inhale Exhale Repeat, begs to differ. “There is a saying: ‘If you worry, you suffer twice.’ Anticipatory joy is the opposite of that.” Even if an anticipated event turns out to be a letdown, vorfreude helps people bounce back. “ Optimists have improved coping abilities when dealing with unplanned distress and they tend to recover far faster,” says Tania Taylor , a psychotherapist and vorfreude  advocate .

If you are going through a tough time and feel as though you have nothing to look forward to, don’t beat yourself up. “It’s important that positive psychology doesn’t get confused with toxic positivity,” says Taylor. “When I was going through cancer treatment, I spent most days binge‑watching television. It’s OK to sit tight when everything feels overwhelming without feeling guilt that you are not looking for joy.” If feelings of hopelessness persist, she stresses, it’s important to seek help from a GP, a therapist or charities such as  Samaritans or Shout .

If, however, you are ready for vorfreude , it shouldn’t feel like a chore. “Mostly, it will involve exploring what you already have in your life that you look forward to,” says Taylor. Willem Kuyken , a professor of mindfulness at the University of Oxford, has researched the benefits of cultivating joy. In his book Mindfulness for Life, he writes: “It takes only a small step out of habit and into awareness to enjoy the people we love around us, to savour food or to dance to music in our kitchen while cooking. These moments are available to us all the time.”

With that in mind, here are 30 simple ways to get more vorfreude in your life.

Start (really) small

If the concept of vorfreude is completely alien to you, take baby steps. “Try to notice one joyful thing each day,” says Neil. You could frame this as a photo challenge: spend a little time every day looking for one beautiful flower, interesting sight or cute dog to photograph.

Think positive

“Plan a morning affirmation or positive statement and look forward to starting your day with it in your mind,” says Taylor. “Some people create a screensaver with it on their phone so it’s the first thing they see.” An example she gives is: “Today I will look for good moments and remember them.” Mort suggests: “May I be open to joy and have many moments of joy ahead.”

Turn routine into ritual

“A very small thing that I get vorfreude from is anticipating my first coffee of the day,” says Mort. “When I wake up, it’s the first thing I think about: how it will smell, how it will taste and how I will feel while drinking it. It’s a ritual that I love and I really allow myself to focus on it.”

Find joy in the everyday

“At the end of my evening meditation classes, I suggest people consider three things they are looking forward to tomorrow,” says Mills. “It could be their morning walk in the park or listening to a podcast on their commute; maybe sitting down to enjoy their packed lunch at work or looking forward to having a bath at the end of the day.”

Come off autopilot

“Perhaps you have a hobby such as gardening, or a pet to spend time with,” says Karen Atkinson, the CEO of MindfulnessUK . “Coming out of autopilot and consciously looking forward to these moments is an achievable way for anyone to experience vorfreude .”

Avoid mind traps

“To change your mindset to become more joyful, you must first become familiar with your own negative thought patterns,” says Atkinson. These “mind traps” include catastrophising and discounting the positive. “For example, instead of thinking: ‘I’m only going away for one night – it’s hardly a holiday,’ say to yourself: ‘What a treat – a night away, going out to dinner and meeting friends. How lovely.’” The “shoulds” are another trap. “You may think: ‘I should have a more thriving social life, like everyone else.’ Instead, recognise that Fomo [fear of missing out] can add stress. Remember how fortunate you are to go out and have fun once in a while – really cherish the opportunity.”

Savour the moment

“There is a small moment just before you eat your pastry, or the movie begins, or as you get in your bubble bath,” says Mills. “In that moment, the pastry hasn’t been eaten yet – it’s a joy about to be enjoyed. Savour the moment and think how lucky you are.” She likes a Kurt Vonnegut quote: “And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point: ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.’”

Treat yourself

“Schedule brief excursions and small indulgences,” says Platt. “Perhaps aim to finish work an hour early on Fridays to get dinner with a friend, visit an art gallery or take yourself on a solo cinema trip.” Don’t feel guilty about it. The team at The Mindfulness Project says: “Giving yourself permission to look forward to these pleasures can prepare you to enjoy them.”

Put plans in writing

One of the exercises in I Am Here Now , a book by The Mindfulness Project, is getting into the habit of writing down plans. The authors suggest rating your anticipation levels, but even the simple act of putting pen to paper can make plans feel more real and increase excitement.

Keep a joy journal

“Joy is individual,” says Neil. “There are common themes – we can all appreciate a happy child playing – but it’s about finding what brings you joy.” She advises people to keep a joy journal, noting down what has made you happy that day, week or month. That way, you can plan more of it in the future.

Schedule movement

“I’ll plan 10 minutes of gentle stretching or book an activity session such as a yoga, pilates or a sound bath class ,” says Taylor. If that sounds more like punishment than pleasure, remember exercise is individual, too – so find something you enjoy.

Try meal planning

“Creating a meal plan for the week means you can look forward to what you are going to eat,” says Taylor. She suggests using a slow cooker if you are pushed for time: “This week, I’m looking forward to making rice pudding in mine.”

Make a date with a friend

Kareen Griffiths , a mindful change consultant, likes to plan a big night out. “I relish the moments in the buildup: putting on my outfit, the train journey, the feeling of excitement,” she says. Taylor gets just as much vorfreude out of arranging for a friend to come over to watch a film. The important thing is making time to meet up with someone you care about.

Plan a fantasy holiday …

“The other day, I saw a social media post about a cheap mini-break to Rome. It had me getting excited about a variety of really affordable getaways – even though my passport has expired,” says Taylor. “I must get around to renewing it, but it doesn’t stop me from getting enjoyment out of the anticipation of what might be.”

… and enjoy the buildup to a real one

“Some research shows that planning and anticipating a holiday can make you happier than the holiday itself,” says Mort. “This switched me from being a spontaneous ‘Oh, I’ll leave it till the last minute and book just before I go away’ person to being someone who takes time to mull over where I want to go, why I want to go there and how it might be when I get there.”

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Look for natural wonders

“I’m a huge advocate of finding joy in nature . The research tells us time and again how valuable it can be ,” says Taylor. That doesn’t have to mean going far from home. “The other day I popped out into my very wet garden and touched the daffodils. I noticed how wonderful it was that the daffodil stems were being held together by an old fallen leaf that they had managed to create a hole through.”

Go on a mindful walk

“When I’m out walking the dog, I try to be aware of what’s around me, whether that’s the blossom coming out on the trees or the stars at night,” says Neil. “Thoughts and worries may come: ‘Spring is early – it must be climate change.’ But I try to let go of all that on the walk.”

Hunt for treasure

Taylor loved geocaching with her children when they were younger. “It’s a free app that involves treasure-hunting wherever you are in the world. You find hidden tubs filled with toys to swap,” she says. “I do it without the kids, now that they’re older. I love leaving Christmas-cracker toys and knowing that it will put a smile on a child’s face in the future.”

Do something creative

“Research examining the impact of creativity on mental health is largely positive,” says Taylor. “Try planning some time to let your creative side flare.” You don’t have to be a natural artist. If you can’t paint or draw, her ideas include “cutting out pictures that are meaningful to you in magazines and creating a collage, writing your own poem or story or watching YouTube origami tutorials armed with a piece of plain paper”.

Neil plays the bass clarinet with the Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra , “so a lot of my joy comes through music”, she says. “At the first rehearsal after a concert, we get new music to learn for the next performance. I always feel anticipatory joy before new music night.” The less musically experienced could join a (non‑audition) community choir or start learning an instrument. Which leads us to …

Try something new

“Book a new dance class or craft workshop to try something different,” suggests Mort. “The suspense of learning something new can add a spark of excitement to the week.” It could even change your life. Griffiths learned to play decks two years ago, as a tribute to her late brother, and is now a mindful DJ. “It was never part of my plan,” she says. “My music connects me to the here and now, which is where joy can be found.”

Go to the library

“Making a regular trip to your local library is a great way to insert vorfreude into your life,” says Taylor. “Have you ever had that feeling when you are really enjoying the book you are reading, but you’re also excited to start the next one? That’s a perfect example.” Mort suggests setting a reading challenge – it could be reading all the books on the Booker longlist, finally getting round to reading Moby-Dick or rereading your favourite books.

Read a poem a day

“I recommend buying a poetry anthology – then you can look forward to reading the poem of the day over breakfast or lunch or at bedtime,” says Mills. She suggests A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year : “I look forward each evening to seeing which poem it is.”

Throw a party

Taylor loves planning birthday parties. “My daughter has a big birthday coming up this year and I’m so excited about my plans,” she says. But you don’t need a birthday to have a party. “Organise a get-together with friends, whether it’s a games day in the park or a themed party,” says Mort. “Don’t wait for a reason to celebrate – create one.”

Celebrate the seasons

“I look forward to seasonal changes and put them in my diary as ‘occasions’: spring equinox, midsummer, midwinter, full moon, apple season,” says Mills. “If you identify these small joys and appreciate them as they happen, you have many special occasions.”

Do something for others

“‘Sympathetic joy’ is experiencing the joy of others,” says Neil. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture – planning a little treat for someone else can spark vorfreude . “I got my hands on some small Easter egg packs this year,” says Taylor. “I couldn’t wait to hide the eggs around the house and garden for my adult children to find, and to watch them laugh at the ridiculous things their parents have them doing.”

Find a talisman

Neil enjoys watching her daughter and her friends play the video game  Animal Crossing . “There’s a turtle character who sings a little song. It sounds silly, but watching them ride in the turtle’s boat brings me joy,” she says. “My daughter bought me a little turtle figure and now I look at it if I’m having a hard day.” She suggests displaying your own talisman – a photograph, a holiday trinket, a nature find – to spark happiness.

Create a homecoming ritual

“Anticipate the joy of reuniting with loved ones by creating a special greeting ritual when you come home from work,” says Mort. “It could be a hug, a quick card game or simply taking a moment to connect and unwind together.” What if you live alone? “Try asking yourself: ‘What is one small thing that I would like to do?’” Then do it!

Make time for silence

Vorfreude isn’t just about parties, holidays and hobbies. “Just a few minutes of meditation a day can not only change our perspective, but also physically alter our brains , rewiring them towards more positive thoughts and emotions,” says Mort. “Close the door, light a candle and embrace moments of stillness. Look forward to the peace that comes with each session.” Platt stresses the importance of having a break from the grim news cycle. “We owe it to ourselves to switch off from time to time in order to focus on all that remains good and hopeful in the here and now.”

Get ready for bed

“I must be getting old, because I really look forward to my bed and a good night’s sleep,” says Taylor. “Every night, I look forward to going to sleep listening to hypnotherapy .” Mills, too, gets joy from having a bath, putting on pyjamas and climbing into fresh sheets. Double the pleasure by squeezing in an afternoon nap – vorfreude doesn’t get much easier than that.

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In the craziness of the world...throughout the busyness of each day...in spite of the difficulties you face...regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in...no matter how much responsibility you have... God wants you to enjoy your life and have some fun.

For instance, take some time to watch a funny movie, go outside and take in the sunshine, or stop by the frozen yogurt shop on the way home from work. Have some fun and enjoy the life Jesus came to give you!

You might think, Joyce, that doesn’t sound very responsible. I have things to do. I have obligations. I can’t just go through each day doing what sounds like fun.

I’m not saying that you stop meeting your obligations and responsibilities, but I am saying that you add flavor to your life by working in some things that you enjoy.

Let me give you a few places to begin...

1. Identify what you enjoy doing.

Do you know that most people would hesitate if you asked them, “What do you do for fun?” Many people are so busy and so burdened that they stopped having fun a long time ago...and they don’t know how to start again.

For instance, if you enjoy playing music, when was the last time you played? If you love a good cup of coffee, why not sit down and enjoy that next cup rather than gulping it down on your way to work?

Take a few minutes to identify what you enjoy... and then let yourself enjoy it.

2. Don’t wait on “when.”

So many people have the mind-set that they will be really happy and enjoy life when . When they go on vacation, when the kids are older, when they get a promotion at work, when they get married.

I can relate to this because there was a time when even though I really loved being in the ministry, I wasn’t enjoying the daily responsibilities and activities it involved.

We tend to put things in categories. We can look at the calendar and think, This is a “no-fun” day . However, God isn’t like that! He has joyful moments planned for us each and every day. When we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to direct our steps, life is always an adventure!

3. Schedule time to do what you enjoy.

Use your calendar as your ally, instead of letting it become your enemy.

Perhaps you really can’t stop what you’re doing right now to go have some fun. But let’s be honest—for most of us, if we don’t actually schedule some time to do something fun or relaxing, it will never happen.

Finish what you are committed to right now, but start planning some fun time into your future. Even knowing a break is coming soon will help you now.

4. Relish the little things.

Most of us have no problem enjoying the big things, like banner days and exciting announcements, but we often miss out on the little things.

Frequently, it’s the little things in life that can bring us the most joy—a baby’s laugh, a beautiful sunrise, a delicious dinner, a funny movie, or a good conversation.

5. Include God in everything!

Ultimately, it’s so important to remember that true joy begins by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In John 15:11 , He says, These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (ESV) .

In the 10 verses leading up to this one, Jesus is talking about “abiding” in Him, because that’s the key to living with joy. This may sound super-spiritual, but abiding simply means “to live, dwell and remain in.”

God wants to abide with you every day, all throughout the day. He doesn’t just want you to seek Him when you go to church or when you’re desperate. His desire is to have a personal relationship with you, so you can experience His presence in everything you do. That’s when your everyday life is really enjoyable!

I can tell you from experience that Jesus makes everything better . When we spend time with Him in the Word, through prayer and by including Him in our day, He fills our hearts with joy... and makes even the “mundane” parts of life an adventure.

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Article • 9 min read

8 Ways to Enjoy Your Commute!

How to have a happy and productive journey.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

Commuting can be a frustrating, stressful experience, especially if you're battling with traffic or being let down by public transport.

It can also take up a big chunk of your day, with the average American commuting for 26 minutes each way, or a combined 29.6 billion hours every year for U.S.'s 140 million commuting workers.

But, with a change in your mindset and a little preparation, your journeys to and from work can be a positive time – a chance for thinking, reflecting, relaxing, or learning new skills.

In this article, we'll look at eight tips for making your daily commute an enjoyable and productive experience.

8 Ways to Enjoy Your Commute

1. adopt a "me-time" mindset.

Some people view their commute as a chore or something they just need to "get through" to do their job. But, this type of thinking can increase stress, negativity, frustration, and resentment.

Try flipping this mindset on its head, and view commuting as valuable "me-time" – an exclusive part of the day where you can do things that you enjoy, pursue personal goals (such as learning a language), or reflecting on your achievements (and the things that you're most thankful for).

Or, you could simply sit there and relax, and let your mind wander. If you drive to work, you could listen to audiobooks, audio courses or downloaded podcasts.

It's likely that most of the people around you on your commute will be a similar situation to you, possibly feeling stressed or frustrated. So try to empathize , and don't let their bad mood bring you down!

Need some podcast inspiration? Mind Tools has hundreds of hours' worth of career and personal development podcasts in our Book Insights and Expert Interviews .

Talking on the phone or texting while driving is dangerous, even with a hands-free kit. To stay safe, turn off your cellphone's ringer as soon as you get into your car.

2. Learn to Relax

Using physical relaxation techniques can be very useful for reducing stress during a commute. Such techniques involve focusing intently on relaxing one set of muscles at a time, from top to toe.

For example, start with raising your eyebrows and closing your eyes. Then, open your mouth as wide as possible, hold your arms in front of you and clench your fists, pull your shoulders up toward your ears.

If you're seated, push your thighs together, tighten your abdominal muscles, and curl your toes downwards.

Also, practice deep breathing whenever you start to feel tense or stressed. Instead of just breathing with your ribs, you breathe so that your lower belly expands.

All you need to do is sit comfortably, take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, and focus on what feels like filling your lower belly with air.

You could even try meditating during your daily commute, to calm and clear your mind at the beginning and end of each day. Guided meditation apps can be useful.

Research has shown that listening to classical and "self-selected" music can help you to relax during stressful journeys. However, when on public transport, always listen to music through headphones, so as not to annoy other passengers.

3. Get Active

Regular commuting can have serious health implications , such as elevated blood pressure. However, adding physical activity to your commute is a great way to alleviate these concerns. You get more exercise , feel energized, and decrease your stress levels.

In fact, research has shown that people who walk, bike or run to work are more likely to enjoy their commute, after finding an intrinsic value in their journey.

If you can't bike, walk or run the whole way to work, perhaps you could do part of it instead. For example, could you park several miles away from your office and cycle the rest of the way? Could you get off public transport several stops early and walk or run to work?

4. Watch Your Posture

Pay attention to your posture, and make sure that your back is straight, your shoulders are pulled back, and your feet are flat on the floor. This will help you to avoid any back, neck, or shoulder pain.

When standing, avoid putting all your weight on one foot; this can cause back pain over time. Also, consider using a small pillow to support the small of your back if you sit during your commute, to ease back pain.

Another way to stay healthy , and to make your commute more enjoyable, is to bring water and healthy snacks (such as nuts or fruit) to eat. Hunger and dehydration can make you irritable, and can lead to poor food choices.

5. Get Organized

Rushing your commute is a surefire way to ramp up stress levels and bring on hurry sickness – which is described as the continuous struggle many people feel to accomplish more and more things in less and less time. So, slow down and allow yourself plenty of time to complete your journey.

For example, if your bus or train is often late, consider making the effort to get an earlier one. It might mean arriving at work early, but that's better than being late. And you could use that extra time to collect your thoughts and prepare for the day.

Try to prepare as much as you can the night before (such as things to read or listen to, and what clothes to wear) so there's no "mad rush" in the morning.

Also, if you're always rushing to grab food "on the go," try to get up earlier and have breakfast before you set off for work.

6. Get Things Done

Productive use of travel time can positively affect your attitude. But in the middle of a tough commute, being productive doesn't have to mean "working."

If you want to spend your journey staying up to date with developments within your industry by reading online articles or trade journals, that's great. Also, getting ahead of the working day by sorting emails and thinking about coming meetings can also put you in a more positive state of mind.

If you use public transport to get to work, you could also use the time to look ahead, think about your goals, or decide a plan of action for the day, week, or month.

7. Plan for the Unexpected

However you travel to work, on some days you'll face unexpected or unavoidable delays, and the lack of control this creates can be very stressful.

Working out a couple of alternative journeys will give you options when a delay strikes. For example, you might be able to take a couple of buses instead of a train, or vice versa, or go by a different route if roadworks pop up.

Occasionally, you might want to voluntarily take a different route, or a different mode of transport, to add a bit of variety and interest to your commute.

However, always check that there are no delays or cancellations on your alternative route, and leave yourself enough time to make any bus or train connections.

8. Negotiate Different Hours

Try to negotiate flexible working hours with your boss if commuting continues to be a stressful and unpleasant experience.

Ask whether you can work from home on certain days, or shift your hours forward or backward in the day to avoid the worst of rush hour. Even half an hour could make all the difference.

Commuting can be a frustrating, stressful experience, and can take up a lot of time each day. But, there are ways to make it more enjoyable.

For example, you can enjoy a far better commute when you view it as an opportunity to do something for yourself, take some "me-time," make some plans, or do something physically active.

You could also use your commute to listen to audiobooks or podcasts, or learn something new, or just relax yourself and plan for the working day ahead.

Hoehner, C.M., Barlow, C. E., Allen, P., and Schootman, M. (2012). 'Commuting Distance, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Metabolic Risk,' American Journal of Preventative Medicine , 42(6), 571-578. Available here .

Labbe, E., Schmidt, N., Babin, J., and Pharr, M. (2007). 'Coping with Stress: The Effectiveness of Different Types of Music,' Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback , 32(3-4), 163-168. Available here .

Paez, A., and Whalen, K. (2010). 'Enjoyment of Commute: A Comparison of Different Transportation Modes,' Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice , 44(7), 537-549. Available here .

Scheufele, P.M. (2000). 'Effects of Progressive Relaxation and Classical Music on Measurements of Attention, Relaxation, and Stress Responses,' Journal of Behavioral Medicine , 23(2), 207-228. Available here .

United States Census Bureau. (2016). Quick Facts [online]. Available here . [Accessed October 9, 2018.]

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How to Enjoy the Journey

“It is good to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that matters, in the end” ~ Ernest Hemingway

Train Journey to Toronto

Some sleep-deprived passengers woke up with a frowny face while others checked time and non-verbally sent negative vibes of disapproval throughout the bus. Meanwhile, there were a few passengers that seemed untouched and maintained their zen-like peace.

Metaphorically, the setting represented a symbolic situation. This journey on the bus was means to these passengers’ destination – mostly for their 9-5 job.

As passengers they had little to no control as to what happens in their journey towards their destination. Delays, emergency alarms, missing the bus, or annoying neighbor passengers are all frequent occurrences.

Few passengers that maintained their peace understood that the ability to enjoy the journey is related to your willingness to sit back and relax like a patient passenger. You have to remind yourself to do this, otherwise your mind snaps out of the moment around you and into a world of contingency-planning and constant worry .

Life Journey We All Are In

The essence of enjoying the journey is to be a “patient passenger” mentality. To enjoy the moments between the “destinations”. We as passengers fixate on the future destinations that promise resolution to our current needs – commuting to get to the office, end of workweek, making X amount of $, finding your soulmate etc. We think and act as if it is only the destination where we can finally drop our backpacks and finally be happy and present with life .

There are three problems with waiting for these destinations before you let yourself enjoy;

• Destination is a Small Percentage of Life – Significant portion of life consists of us being in transit to get somewhere – the pursuit in achievement of a goal. If you can’t enjoy the journey, you will have little to no moments of enjoyment.
• Moments of arrival at Destination are Short-lived – Soon after a few breaths at the destination we are distracted by the next destination – uncertainties or insecurities.
• It’s not about getting to the Destination but what the Journey Makes Us – In the end it is the intangibles that give us the most meaning. The struggle, the people we met, memories, and how it shaped our character

Lessons Learned – How to Enjoy the Journey

• Learn to be a “good passenger” of your journey – actively enjoy the moments between “destinations” as they make majority of your life.
• “Patient Passenger” accepts the unplanned or inevitable setbacks in the journey towards the destination .
• It is not the destination that makes us happy but what the journey in pursuit of that goal that makes us happy.

Jawwad Siddiqui

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8 comments on how to enjoy the journey.

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Hey Jawwad!

We’ve all heard ”its about the journey, not the destination” a million time, but I don’t know why, something clicked in me while reading your article. ”Destination is a Small Percentage of Life ” really resonated with me. Adding it to my quote book!

Thank you for this enlightening message. Yes, i need to be a “patient passenger” for me to enjoy the journey. Thanks much again. God bless you.

Yes, agreed. We all need patience as we journey through finite life.

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Mother, Nature: A 5,000-Mile Journey to Discover if a Mother and Son Can Survive Their Differences Hardcover – November 7, 2023

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• Print length 240 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Convergent Books
• Publication date November 7, 2023
• Dimensions 6.4 x 0.9 x 9.52 inches
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Convergent Books (November 7, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593137264
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593137260
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.4 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.4 x 0.9 x 9.52 inches
• #54 in LGBTQ+ Biographies (Books)
• #204 in Traveler & Explorer Biographies
• #2,067 in Memoirs (Books)

About the author

Jedidiah jenkins.

Jedidiah Jenkins is a travel writer, entrepreneur, and Instagram personality. A graduate of USC and Pepperdine University School of Law, Jenkins began his professional career with the nonprofit Invisible Children. Currently, he is the executive editor of Wilderness magazine, and his work has appeared in the Paris Review online, GOOD Magazine, and been covered by National Geographic.

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Jennifer Love Hewitt Shares First Public Pictures of Her 3 Kids' Faces on Inheriting Magic Memoir Cover

The actress shares her three children with husband Brian Hallisay

Chelsea Guglielmino/WireImage; BenBella Books

Jennifer Love Hewitt shared the first public photo of her children 's faces in the most magical way possible!

The 9-1-1 actress, 45, shares a daughter and two sons with her husband, fellow actor Brian Hallisay . However, the couple never publicly posted pictures of their kids' faces until Wednesday, April 17.

“Here it is! My new baby!” Hewitt captioned an Instagram post while announcing her new book. 

The memoir, titled Inheriting Magic: My Journey Through Grief, Joy, Celebration, and Making Every Day Magical , was illustrated by Vanessa Rivera, according to the actress. 

On the cover, the I Know What You Did Last Summer alum sits front and center as she poses with a magic wand and a book of spells as her children — Autumn James, 10, Atticus James, 8, and Aidan James, 2 — gather around. 

BenBella Books

“I can’t believe how lucky I was to get her for this book! Moms who create magic are special!” Hewitt’s caption continued, adding, “Can’t wait for you guys to read it!”

She also spoke exclusively to E! News about the heartfelt project.

"It was the most stressful decision to show our kids or not show them," she told the outlet in an interview published Wednesday. "But my husband and I felt like we couldn't really tell our story without knowing who they are and how they have made our lives so full and magical."

"My kids also saved me in grief," she added. "They are gifts from my mom and have filled our hearts in such an incredible way. This book is for them!"

Jennifer Love Hewitt Instagram

Hewitt’s book will also discuss her mother Patricia Hewitt, who died in 2012 .

"I felt healed enough from losing my mom to finally be able to write about it," she told E! News. "I also have seen how creating little bits of magic for my kids and friends makes our memories and everyday lives special. I wanted to honor my mom and how much being a mom means to me and this felt like the best way."

She also previously discussed her growth via social media. 

“This year I went thru [sic] a lot no one knew about,” the actress wrote in a Dec. 31, 2023 Instagram post, noting that she was “ grateful for that privacy .”

She added that she “learned to be a better baker,” “took chances on myself and my bigger dreams,” and “sat deeper in grief and was able to let more go.”

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Hewitt told E! News she "reached a greater place of healing" while writing the book.

"But it also shows birthday parties, holidays, how to plan and some family recipes that I hold special," she continued. "As I create my brand, The Holiday Junkie, I wanted to show why I am that person and how it's a mindset and way of life not just a brand."

Inheriting Magic is set for a Dec. 10 release.

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