– Mary Oliver
There is misery and suffering in life that can’t be avoided: accidents, disease, death, loss and tragedy have always happened and will continue to happen. Most of the misery we suffer, however, doesn’t come as a result of these big, dramatic experiences: we cause our own suffering by constantly pushing ourselves to ‘earn’ the happiness we desire. You don’t have to do a single thing to deserve happiness, prosperity, love, peace or well-being – you just need to love yourself enough to allow yourself to be happy and enjoy your life today. You will never be happy if you wait until you feel perfect enough to live a wonderful life; you must first know yourself to be good enough and deserving of all you desire – that’s when the life you long to live will start to take shape for you.