Dear Ms. Mabel,

It seems like everyone around me is getting promoted, buying bigger houses, taking amazing vacations, or accomplishing big goals, while I feel like I'm standing still. I know I should be grateful for what I have, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm falling behind in life. How do I stop comparing myself to everyone else and learn to be happy where I am?

— Standing Still in Springfield

Truth be told, some of y'all act like it is pure torture to sit still for five minutes.

Lord have mercy, whatever happened to taking it slow and being satisfied with where you are? These days it's always more, more, more—and very little appreciation for what's already sitting right in front of you.

Maybe it's the way we raised y'all in this microwave, Amazon Prime, no-need-for-a-card-catalog society, but it has become mighty obvious that folks aren't learning how to be content anymore.

Shoot, free two-day shipping isn't even good enough these days. Now everybody wants it dropped on the porch tomorrow between 8:00 and 10:00—or better yet, before they even finish thinking about ordering it.

Now, I understand some of y'all are wired to chase big dreams, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Dream big. Aim high. Reach for the stars if you feel so inclined.

But goodness gracious, don't get so busy chasing the future that you forget to enjoy the life you're living on the way there.

Years ago, those girls sang that song. I can't remember their names, but one of them had an eye patch. Anyway, they had the right idea. Chasing waterfalls is a terrible plan if you don't know what you're doing. You'll end up tired, disappointed, and wondering why happiness keeps slipping through your fingers.

So, if nobody ever taught you, here's Mabel's foolproof guide to learning how to be happy where you are.

Step One — Figure Out What You're Running Toward

Now, that's an important distinction.

If you're in a genuinely bad situation and that's what's motivating you to make a change, then by all means, lace up your shoes and get to running.

I'm not talking about boredom, impatience, or that feeling that life ought to be more exciting. I mean real harm. Real danger. Real misery.

If that's the case, don't walk.

Go.

Step Two — Slow Down, Sweetheart

Write down ten beautiful things you notice every day.

Look people in the eye when they're talking to you. Ask questions. Pay attention. Be curious about the world around you.

Now, your mind is probably going to fight you on this one. Most of you have trained your brains to run about ninety miles an hour, twenty-four hours a day.

But keep practicing.

Every time your thoughts start sprinting toward the next thing, gently pull them back and remind yourself that there's a whole lot of life happening right now.

Step Three — Water the Grass Under Your Own Feet

You know what I see?

A whole lot of people standing in perfectly good grass, staring over the fence at somebody else's yard.

You're so busy looking ahead that you're forgetting to care for the life you can actually reach out and touch.

Don't rush through your days without noticing the little things that bring joy.

Take your time making breakfast—and eat it on the good dishes.

Buy yourself flowers for no reason whatsoever and put them in a pretty vase by the sink.

When your mind gets restless, don't automatically grab your phone and start scrolling. Call a friend and ask how they're doing.

Sit outside while the sun rises or sets and pay attention to what you can see and hear.

Listen to the birds.

Watch the clouds.

Feel the breeze.

And before you tell me that sounds boring, let me remind you that some of the happiest people I've ever known were experts at enjoying ordinary moments.

You're going to have to put as much effort into slowing down as you do into chasing your dreams.

But I promise you...

It's worth every bit of it.

Step Four — Fill Your Mind with Gratitude

By the time you get here, this one gets a little easier.

I've said it a million times, and I'll probably say it a million more before I leave this earth:

The quickest way to feel rich is to notice what you already have.

Every day, take time to think about what you're grateful for.

Not just the big things, either.

Be thankful for hot coffee.

For clean sheets.

For laughter.

For the people who answer the phone when you call.

For another sunrise.

For another chance to get it right.

Gratitude has a funny way of making an ordinary life feel extraordinary.

Now, I know I've given you a pretty hard time.

Truth is, everybody gets restless now and then. There's nothing wrong with wanting to improve your life. Matter of fact, I think that's a good thing.

But if improving your life becomes the only thing you ever think about, the only thing you ever work toward, and the only place you believe happiness can be found...

You're going to spend your whole life arriving somewhere and still feeling unsatisfied.

The goal isn't to stop growing.

The goal is to learn how to grow and enjoy the view at the same time.

Find a balance between improving your life and appreciating it, and you'll be just fine.

Now quit worrying about what's next...

...and go enjoy what's right in front of you.

I'll be praying for you, darling.