When you’re on your deathbed looking back at your life, what do you want to see?

There’s no doubt in my mind that we all have similar visions: success in our career, ample amounts of money in our bank account, a happy marriage made perfect by a beautiful home. Isn’t this all that we’re working towards today? Most of us have been in school for over 13 years, juggling class with extracurriculars and jobs while simultaneously trying to maintain decent social and family lives.

But is this vision that we’ve been relentlessly chasing really what’s going to matter most in our lives?

The most important thing to remember is that when life doesn’t go according to plan, instead of beating yourself down over how it’s going to affect your future, embrace how it’s going to change you now.

As humans, we have a terrible habit of giving power to things that have no real ability help us live the lives that we want. We tell ourselves that once we’ve acquired a certain item or change a certain aspect of ourselves, only then will we be able to reach true happiness. We fail to realize that, in reality, we’re actually robbing ourselves of happiness we could have right now.

Most of us get so caught up in achieving status, money, and power that we miss out on the things that matter now. Don’t get me wrong, though, success is important. Almost every single human being aspires to be successful. There is no flaw in wanting to make a name for yourself and contribute something of value to this world.

The problem lies in becoming obsessed with success, so much to where you lose sight of what and who truly matters.

Right now, at this very moment, as you’re reading this, life is happening. Look outside and look at the sky. If it’s sunny outside, notice how the clouds move and where the birds fly. If it’s raining outside, pay attention to the sound of the rain and go outside and smell the fresh earth. Observe the cars driving by and the people crossing the street. There are so many amazing moments that happen right in front of us every day, but we are so consumed in chasing this unattainable construct of perfection and success that we are blind to the beauty present almost everywhere we look.

I, myself, am guilty of this.

At one point, I was obsessed with the number on the weighing scale and how I thought I looked in everything. I’d spend hours bashing myself for not looking a certain way, trying to figure out the fastest way for me lose weight and lighten my skin because then, I would be truly happy. Looking back on it, it pains me that this was my mindset for some of my most formative years in life. I missed out on so many amazing memories because I gave into the fear of people seeing me before I thought I was beautiful or happy. I could have been laughing at the beach with my friends, adventuring to the city and trying new places to eat, or simply just sitting and enjoying the current moment.

I can’t remember how many times a bad day made me miss the most beautiful sunset or walk past the cutest dog.

When life doesn’t our way, we cannot become so consumed by our hardship that we forget to stop, smile, and thank the stars that we’re even alive. I’m not saying that caring about success and future happiness is a bad thing because it’s not. It’s natural for us to want that. But you must learn to be happy and content even before you achieve that success.

Running faster and chasing harder only blinds you to the current happiness that’s right in front of you.

Life wouldn’t be life without the excessive amount of disappointing moments. You may get fired or someone you trust may betray you. However, it’s these moments that provide us with opportunities for good. We learn and grow from our mistakes. We figure ourselves out, and I believe that, more than anything, is truly what matters in life.

So stop and smell the roses.

Be grateful that you did better on the second midterm than the first, even though you didn’t get the grade you wanted. Enjoy your post-run high, even though you have ways to go before you reach your goal weight. Or maybe it’s as simple as unplugging from the world and taking the conscious time and effort to realize all the good that’s currently in your life.

If we’re always chasing what’s next, we’re losing the chance to enjoy what’s happening now.