“There” Is No Better Than “Here”
佚名 / Anonymous
Many people believe that they will be happy once they arrive at some specific goal they set for themselves. For some the goal may be amassing a million dollars， for others losing those annoying ten-plus pounds， and for still others it is finding a soulmate. It could be getting a better job， driving a nicer car， or pursuing a dream career. Whatever your “there” is， you may be convinced that once you arrive， you will finally find the peace you have always dreamed of； you will finally become fulfilled， happy， and content.
However， more often than not， once you arrive “there” you will still feel dissatisfied， and move your “there” vision to yet another point in the future. By always chasing after another “there”， you are never really appreciating what you already have right “here”. It is important for human beings to keep “sober-minded” about the age-old drive to look beyond the place where you now stand. On one hand， your life is enhanced by your dreams and aspirations. On the other hand， these drives can pull you farther and farther from your enjoyment of your life right now.
People from the beginning of time have struggled with the question of how we can live in the present moment. And it is a challenge that has become particularly difficult in the modern world in which we are constantly lured by visions of greater glory， beauty， fame. If you learn to be grateful， you can fulfill the challenge of living in the present.
To be grateful means you are thankful for and appreciative of what you have and where you are on your path right now. Gratitude fills your heart with the joyful feeling and allows you to fully appreciate everything that arises on your path. As you strive to keep your focus on the present moment， you can experience the full wonder of “here”. There are many ways to cultivate gratitude. Here are just a few suggestions you may wish to try：