Stop waiting for life to NOT be hard

to experience happiness ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 2 simple steps to happiness in the hard I heard a quote from an America's Got Talent contestant (Nightbirde) the other night that struck me. She's dying from cancer but was up on stage singing an original song with gusto and beauty.  "You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy”  The trap of waiting until life is perfect to start dancing. I've heard parents say many times that traveling with kids is too hard, so they won't do it. My reply is always, "Parenting is hard no matter what. So why not just take that with you and create memorable moments at the same time." I've always believed that Life is hard. It always will be. But, you shouldn't let that sway you from experience joy and riches. It's the hard stuff that helps us grow. It's in our detriment to push away the hard stuff, and even worse, push away the permission to be happy while your sitting in IT. Easy to say I know. Hard stuff can consume us - especially if you are facing something like a terminal illness. That's another level hard. But, as Nighbirde reminds us, we can find the happy. Here are two questions I answer (and act upon) as I navigate life with Hard on one hand and Happy on the other: What can I control today? Many times we rob ourselves of happiness, because we keep ourselves stuck in the things we can't control. The angst over tomorrow, the regret of yesterday. Life can only be hard when you do that. But, when you have problems that rise a mountain high, it's difficult to snap out of that cycle of fear and doubt and all the emotions that walk side by side with those. So simply create a list each day. Step out of the problem and ask yourself, What exactly can I control today? Then focus on that one by one. Do the dishes. Get the groceries. Reply to the emails. Write in your journal. Go for a walk. I know you're thinking - not another to do list, that just burdens me. This is NOT that kind of to do list. This is the simple things that you can control each day and give attention to. When you feel like you have control over simple things, that empowering energy and confidence transfers over to the more challenging. Do your best to stay present in them and give yourself an encouraging word when you complete them. Look at you go. You're making stuff happen: One day, one task at a time. How can I bring in elements of joy? It's hard to see joy when you're in the depth of the hard stuff. But, it's there. The mistake is in thinking joy lies in the completed grand vision. Not so. Joy is found in simplicity. When you understand that, bringing in elements of joy to each day is easy. It's as simple as a walk in nature; admiring a piece of art, watching your children laugh and play, a long lingering hug, swinging in a hammock, watching a sunset. Notice how they all involve absorbing yourself in nature or awe and wonder. (This is the reason, travel is, and always has been, the focus of my life) Caroline P.S. I've created my grand vision. I promise you the joy does not lie there - it's lies in all the simple things that have helped propel me to that vision. And it's the joy that keeps me steady in it. GETAWAY TO AMICALOLA FALLS, GA “This is my kind of getaway,” I exhaled from my Adirondack chair with wine in hand and flames leaping out of the firepit. Our cabin was decked on back with only forested views in front. The Talbott Brothers on Spotify were reminding me to stay Young and the rushing sound of Amicalola Falls as it tumbled down over its lip in the distance relaxed the stress out of me. Learn more about this beautiful waterfall in Georgia that recently made our Best in the US list! [READ MORE]( 12 Top Idaho Outdoor Adventures in the Summer  The Gem State – noted for bucket list memories, hidden surprises, dramatic views and thrilling adventures. Its ruggedness lends itself to unobstructed and raw adventures that you can experience without long lines and crowds typical of other popular outdoor adventure regions in the country. [READ NOW]( NEW VIDEO: LAKE BLACKSHEAR, GA   Looking for lake resorts in Georgia? Watch all the fun we had at Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club which offers relaxation + tons of activities all family members will enjoy! [WATCH NOW]( LATEST ON INSTAGRAM The stories, tips, and conversations! [Click here]( To make sure you keep getting these emails, please add cazcraig@ytravelblog.com to your address book or allow list. Want out of the loop? [Unsubscribe](. 150 Wrenn Drive #1714, Cary, NC 27511