The buddhist monk looked at him and answered, “Five years. In five years time you will be enlightened.”
“What?! Five years! I don’t have time to spend the next five years to become enlightened! Okay, what if I work twice as hard as your other pupils, then how long will it take me to be enlightened?”

“Ten years,” replies the monk.

“What?!” replied the young man. “Okay, what it I work day and night to become enlightened. How long will it take me then?”
“Twenty years,” replied the monk.

The young man became frustrated. “Okay, so what if I devote every fiber in my being to becoming enlightened. I mean from this moment on, how long will it take then?”
“It will take the rest of your life,” said the monk. “But then you may still never reach enlightenment.”

Perhaps this is what is it: process. Perhaps our personal wills (fears and desires, etc.) get in the way of something marvelous happening. Perhaps where you are right now is perfection even if you do not see it, or even feel it. Maybe in the pain there is also reason for smiles. And in fear or other emotions there is still moments for joy.

And in the darkness, if you smile inside you may still find there is light.

Have a very blessed day.