You’re the only one stopping you from doing what you love.

You blame it on age, kids, work, lack of time, lack of money and any other excuse you and society have conjured up; but the only reason you’re not doing what makes you happy is because you’re choosing not to.

I visited a very cool place in Austin this week, with phonographs in each room and an endless collection of albums to enjoy. I listened to everything from Merle Haggard to Fleetwood Mac to AC/DC. Each artist brought back memories from various stages of my life. Merle Haggard brought about thoughts and feelings of my Grandpa Ozzie, who was the father I never had. He and my grandmother dancing so gracefully in their living room with the blue plush carpet, his free-spirit and all he taught me about living a rich and vibrant life.

Memories of growing up, begging my much older sisters to let me tag along with them. Wishing so badly I was a teenager too and as cool as they were.

Spending endless hours in my room as a teenager, playing music and teasing my hair, surrounded by photos torn from Teen Beat magazine all over my walls, of super stars like Scott Baio and John Schneider. “Helllloooo Chachi and Bo Duke!”

There are so many simple things in life to make us feel content and happy, yet we overlook them in search of trying to find something more or better. We fail to recognize the happy experiences and the feelings simple acts in everyday life make us feel. We seek out other people, more stuff, more money or something we don’t yet possess to bring about something better in life. “You’ll be happier when…you have a different job. When your kids are grown or when you’re retired. When you go on vacation or lose weight. When you finally buy a new home or that car you’ve always wanted.” Before you know it, 20 years have passed and you’re older, wrinklier, not much better off financially and still seeking happiness. And now you have about 100 more excuses about why you still aren’t happy.

Reading, writing, coffee alone in my office, listening to music, petting my dog, cooking a great meal and great conversations top the list of things that bring me peace and joy. They don’t cost much money. They don’t require travel, a big bank account or foregoing my responsibilities to my family. All they require is me choosing to do them.

If you’re not doing what makes you happy, stop making excuses. Nobody cares and nobody is going to create happiness for you. Start choosing to make yourself happy by doing what you really love and doing it everyday.