photo by: ory2

“Be happy while you’re living, for you’re a long time dead.” – Scottish Proverb

Have you ever heard anyone saying “How the time flies?” I have, lots of times. You’ve heard it too, I’m sure. Maybe you’re feeling that way right now. But, are you enjoying every moment of the journey?… it’s great if you do! However, if you don’t, or if you feel that you could use a nudge into that direction, this is for you. I promise you’ll feel better after reading this!

Time… it flies, the days go by and turn to years and years become a whole life. My life, your life.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” – J.R.R. Tolkien, Fellowship of the Ring, second chapter

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That is really all we have to do. And we have two choices about it: we have the option to turn the passing of time into a painful experience for us and those around us, or we can learn to enjoy every moment of it and pass the feeling on to our fellows.

There aren’t any magical steps or formulas that can teach you how to enjoy life. Reading all the “six steps” lists in the world won’t do you no good. If you’re looking for “six steps” you’re probably rubbish at doing things, in which case “do-this-and-that” lists are the last thing you need.

Anyhow, let’s take a really brief look at one of the main reasons that keep us from enjoying the moment. That is the thought of putting off our enjoyment until we have more time, more money, more friends, better looks, or some other improved condition. The trouble with that is that it might never happen or it may be too long in coming. Its solution is to accept this time, this very minute, as something of tremendous value that will very soon be gone forever.

Include in your daily routine time to enjoy others and yourself. Look and wonder at the trees, fields and mountains; smell the flowers, hear the birds, watch the clouds in the sky; worry less and let go more. Face your problems bravely and improve on your situation, no matter what state it be in. Be good with yourself. Be active and improve your mind. Laugh, relax and sleep well.

There’s a beautiful electronica track from 1997, by Robert Miles, that summarizes the essential idea(s) of enjoying life. The track is called Enjoy, and these are the lyrics:

You don’t have to worry
You don’t have to hurry
You just have to learn to enjoy
You don’t have to make it
You don’t have to take it
You just have to learn to enjoy
Enjoy what you feel
That’s all that is real
Enjoy what you feel inside
If you want to live your life
Live your life in joy
Nothing to learn
Nothing to fear
Nowhere to run
‘Cause you’re already here
It’s your reason to live…
You’re only here to enjoy
Enjoy what you feel
That’s all that is real
Enjoy what you feel inside
If you want to live your life
Live your life in joy
You don’t have to hurt
You don’t have to strive
Relax and enjoy the ride
It’s the reason you’re alive
Fill your heart with joy
And you can learn to love what you fear
And when fear says “run away – somewhere safe”
Say you can’t – ’cause you’re already here
Flying, like butterflies, meeting new people, unknown and unimaginable
realities and views of overwhelming beauty, forever unchanged.
Befriending people of all ages, races, and religions, rich inside with
strong personalities, open and generous towards fellow man.

Is there anything else to say here? …well, no. That is pretty much all there is to say about enjoying life. There is no secret formula to it. People spend billions on programs, books, videos, etc. hoping to find a secret formula. The formula – if it can be called a formula – is no secret and can be summed up in a short article like this one. Pretty simple, isn’t it? Yes, it’s this simple! No lists, no mind-bending ideas, no books, no money spent. And you don’t have to do anything. In fact, you have to stop doing some things!

There’s this rather old commercial for Vodafone, called MayFly, that always makes me feel vibrantly alive. It resonates with something deep inside. The background music is by K-OS. Never mind the commercial punchline, just let the feeling get to you!

Learning to enjoy life isn’t the solution to all of our problems, but it is the key to discovering the solutions. If we learn to enjoy life more, the solutions will come to us!

You might as well start enjoying life right now, ’cause there’s really nothing stopping you, nothing at all. Enjoy life!



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  • http://www.EmpoweredSoul.com Andrea Hess | Empowered Soul

    Hi Armannd,

    I enjoyed this post! Unfortunately, what is simple isn’t necessarily easy. I do think the overall intention of our existence is pretty much “Grow, learn, and enjoy the process.” The rest is just our own doing, getting in the way of our being.

    Blessings,
    Andrea

  • http://www.EmpoweredSoul.com Andrea Hess | Empowered Soul

    Hi Armannd,

    I enjoyed this post! Unfortunately, what is simple isn’t necessarily easy. I do think the overall intention of our existence is pretty much “Grow, learn, and enjoy the process.” The rest is just our own doing, getting in the way of our being.

    Blessings,
    Andrea

  • http://odinkirk.com John

    Wow. It’s an anti-list. You really WERE serious :-)

    But indeed, the only way to enjoy life is… to enjoy life.

  • http://odinkirk.com John

    Wow. It’s an anti-list. You really WERE serious :-)

    But indeed, the only way to enjoy life is… to enjoy life.

  • http://www.essentiallifeskills.net ZHereford

    Love this article and great advice!

  • http://www.essentiallifeskills.net ZHereford

    Love this article and great advice!

  • Cristina

    ” Enjoy life! ” I love this motto! And the article is just perfect. The only thing we need is to STOP and live the moment…

  • Cristina

    ” Enjoy life! ” I love this motto! And the article is just perfect. The only thing we need is to STOP and live the moment…

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    @Andrea Hess: I don’t know if “unfortunate” is really the right word. Think about it, if the simple things would be easy, what fun would that be? Where would be the satisfaction? :} But yes, an essential part of our existence really is to “Grow, learn, and enjoy the process.” And because it is so simple, we often overlook it.

    @John: Of course I was serious. :} However, I may use some lists in the future as that post was a sort of (unofficial) experiment.

    @ZHereford: I’m really glad you enjoyed it!

    @Cristina: Should we form a joint-venture and design some “brakes for life?” Joking. :P In my short presence in this world I managed to really STOP only once. The feeling lasted for only one day, but boy, what a day that was! As you said, one of the key elements in enjoying life is to realize and *feel* that the only reality is NOW. Doing that turns the now into a magical experience, an experience that is above and beyond our best expectations.

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    @Andrea Hess: I don’t know if “unfortunate” is really the right word. Think about it, if the simple things would be easy, what fun would that be? Where would be the satisfaction? :} But yes, an essential part of our existence really is to “Grow, learn, and enjoy the process.” And because it is so simple, we often overlook it.

    @John: Of course I was serious. :} However, I may use some lists in the future as that post was a sort of (unofficial) experiment.

    @ZHereford: I’m really glad you enjoyed it!

    @Cristina: Should we form a joint-venture and design some “brakes for life?” Joking. :P In my short presence in this world I managed to really STOP only once. The feeling lasted for only one day, but boy, what a day that was! As you said, one of the key elements in enjoying life is to realize and *feel* that the only reality is NOW. Doing that turns the now into a magical experience, an experience that is above and beyond our best expectations.