Why Are We Waiting for Something to Happen?

Life is here and now - so why are we waiting for something to happen to be happy?

How often have you said to yourself: "When I get married, I'll be happy?", "When I have more money, life will be easier" or "When I finish this project, I'll have more time for myself"? Life passes by, and we are always busy - either with thoughts about the past or with worries about the future. Emotions take over our daily lives, and this moment - the only one that truly exists - slips by without us noticing. What if we could pause for a moment and connect to the present? Not run away from it, not hurry to move on to the next thing - but simply be here and now?

Life exists in this moment - not in the past, and not in the future. The past has already been - it can no longer be changed. The future hasn't arrived yet, and we don't have complete control over it. The here and now is the gift given to us at this very moment. Are we truly present in it?

When we sit with a loved one, our mind is already at tomorrow's meeting, when we pray, our thoughts wander. We may go on a hike, but instead of observing the beauty of creation, we capture it for social media.

We move from place to place but aren't really anywhere. How can we learn to be present? How can we truly live the moment?

1. Learn to slow down - and feel reality

The world teaches us to rush, to accomplish, to optimize, to move forward, but life happens at its own pace.

Try this:
✔ When you eat - don't rush. Feel the flavors, enjoy the aromas. Savor the food.
✔ When you talk to someone - really be there, listen without thinking about your response.
✔ When you pray - try to focus on the words, not just to read them quickly.

In the smallest moments - that's where real life is.

2. Recognize the divine presence in the simplest moments

This moment - when you hear birds chirping, feel the cold air seeping into your bones, or see your child laugh - it's not for nothing.

How to connect to it?
✔ Start noticing the small details - the colors, the smells, and the sounds around you.
✔ Observe the divine creation - find one moment each day to say "this is wonderful".
✔ Don’t take the small things for granted.

Life is full of little miracles - if we just stop and pay attention to them.

3. Let go of control and trust what comes

We plan, expect, try to arrange things exactly as we want, but the best way to live the moment is simply to let go.

How to implement this?
✔ Accept lovingly even what you didn't plan - maybe there is hidden good in it.
✔ Try to let go of worries about the future - instead, ask "what can I do today, right now?".
✔ Look back on your life - not everything went according to plan, but maybe that’s what led you to a better place?

Trusting Hashem also means knowing that this moment - just as it is - is part of the path that is right for us.

4. Bring more gratitude into your life

When we give thanks, we connect to this moment. We truly see it, not just pass over it.

How to start giving thanks?
✔ Every morning - find at least three small things you are grateful for.
✔ Before bed - think of one moment today that made you happy.
✔ Try to say "thank you" even for the less easy moments - because they are part of the path.

One who learns to give thanks for the moment discovers their life is filled with much more good than they thought.

5. Stop saying, "After I..., I'll be..."

How many times have you said to yourself that once you pass a certain stage in life - you’ll finally do what you dreamed of? Life doesn't wait.

What to do instead?
Start incorporating what you want into your life now, even if it's in small steps.
✔ Want to start painting? Don’t wait for free time - take a notebook and draw something small every day.
✔ Dream of traveling? Start with a small walk in the neighborhood.
✔ Want to change careers? Start learning something new, even just 10 minutes a day.

6. Change the question you ask yourself

Most people think "What do I have to do?", and then they write an endless to-do list. Instead, try asking: "How do I want to feel?".

What to do instead?
Think about how you want your life to feel - and start incorporating those feelings today.
✔ Want to feel more satisfied? Plan an hour a week where you do something just for yourself.
✔ Want to feel more energetic? Start with a small change in your diet or exercise.

7. Don’t wait for the perfect moment - it won't come

Many of us say: "I'll wait for the right moment to start", but that moment will never come, because there will always be challenges, delays, and reasons not to start right now.

What to do instead?
✔ Stop convincing yourself you’re "not ready yet". Start with what you have here and now.
✔ Instead of waiting for more time, work with what you have. Even 5 minutes a day is a start.
✔ Instead of waiting for perfect conditions, ask yourself: "How can I start now, with what I have?".

8. Make one small decision today

If you've read all this and thought to yourself "Wow, I have to change something", but you do nothing about it, you'll be back at the same point a week from now.

What to do instead?
✔ Make a small decision you implement today.
✔ Write to yourself: what is the one thing I'm starting to do right now, without waiting?
✔ Don’t wait for the "right time" - life is happening now.

Thete will always be things that must be completed, challenges to overcome, or plans for the future. But if you don't start living now, you may look back and regret not doing it earlier.

What’s the one thing you're stopping to wait for - and starting to do today? Tell us in the comments.