As submitted to http://acanac.org/blogs/geek

Enjoy life.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it?  The usual reaction that I get to that is - "easier said than done".  I hate that response.  That is a cop out for people that don't actually want to enjoy life.  To be totally honest with you, it's actually easier done than said. 

You have to stop for a moment and look at the world around you.  We're human beings.  We live, on average, for about 80 years.  80 years may sound like a long time on paper, but it will certainly pass you by at an incredible speed.  Take a look at how old you are now.  Take a look at how fast you life has passed you by already.  The rest is going to go just as quick.  Time is constant, so you're never going to slow it down or stop it.  During our 24 hour days, we spend, on average, 8 hours of that sleeping and another 8 hours at work or school.  That leaves us with 8 hours.  So, unless you absolutely love school or work, you really only get the opportunity to experience enjoyment for 1/3 of your adult life. 

That 1/3 is an almost unreachable goal though.  There are a ton of factors that can take away your ability to enjoy that time.  Maybe you are stressed about work.  Maybe someone you care about is ill.  Maybe you are struggling financially and that causes you undue hardship.  Life is a tough business to be in.  You have to remember though, that everyone suffers hardships and carries stress.  You are not alone in that.  Someone else's problems might be different from yours, but most likely affect them in the same way.

So, how do you start to enjoy life?  Well, you have to start by stopping.  What?

I know that sounds weird, but it's true.  You have to stop and look around you.  Take a good look at your life passing you by.  Look for things that you enjoy doing, and find ways to spend more time doing those things.  Do not become obsessed with things that affect you negatively.  Avoid, or deal with, those things in your life that are not as enjoyable.  Don't worry, I'll give you some examples in a minute.  Also note that if you have a family, this all gets even trickier.  If you are selfish in either the things you enjoy or the things that cause negativity, you will have an impact on those around you.

You'll also need to be mindful of the fact that you have to play a significant role in the happiness and enjoyment of the people around you.  If you stop, then look around, you will find ways to incorporate what makes you happy with what makes those around you happy.  I can't stress enough that the key really is to stop and observe.  Pay attention to everything around you - including the other people.

So, I promised a few examples - no problem.  Let's say your are the kind of person that feels compelled to work extra time to impress your boss, or because you feel as though you owe it to your employer.  Stop and look around.  If you are single and you choose to do trade off part of the 1/3 of life you are allowed to have to yourself, go right ahead.  I don't recommend it though.  That is your time.  If you have a family, I really don't recommend it often.  Your family will have trouble enjoying the time that you choose to take away from them.  That's their 1/3 of enjoyment time too.  Your family will always be there for you, right to the end.  Do you really think your employer will give you that dedication?

These days it seems that everyone is super busy.  Most family's need to have two incomes to get by, so both parents work, kids are in activities and have homework.  Chores need to get done.  All of these things take away from the enjoyment time the moment that you stop enjoying them.  The trick is to find ways to enjoy them.  For example, when my kids have one of their activities on Thursdays after school, we work that into a visit with my parents.  We go their right after work/school and we all have dinner together (the kids, us and my parents).  When we all get to spend this time together, it's really quite enjoyable.  After dinner, we take the kids to their activity, then come back and spend the hour with my parents (just the adults).  Any parent knows that sometimes you need some adult time, this is perfect.  Since I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my parents, this lends to using the time wisely.  The kids get to see them and they get to go to their activity, so they are usually quite happy as well.

Finding the balance may seem tough, but if you stop, then look around - it's there right in front of you.  Do you really want to wake up one day at 40, 60, 80 and realize that your life has just passed you by and you didn't enjoy it?  There is no going back.  Time only moves forward (as far as we know).  Don't dwell on things, don't obsess.  Just stop, look around, and enjoy your life.  Don't do it alone, do it with the people you care about.  Make the most of it, you only live once.