By Lori Welch Brown

I was very driven in my 20s, 30s—even my 40s. I had dreams and goals. I wanted things, nice things. I wanted to be a homeowner by the time I was 30. I wanted a new car vs. a used clunker. I wanted to go out to nice restaurants and sip dirty martinis at fancy bars.

So, I worked hard and I chased pots of gold so I could use it to pay off my AMEX—which, funny enough, if you make many big, timely payments; attain an above-average credit score; and agree to a large annual fee—will in fact turn to gold.

That’s the American dream, right? Want, work, get.

I didn’t come from wealthy, blue-chip stock. There was no trust fund and/or daddy with deep pockets. And, frankly, I’m glad. I earned my way. No regrets. It is important to note, however, that not everybody is running the same distance at the same speed. And, my chase wasn’t as long or riddled with as many hurdles as others. I was jogging through my ‘chase’ at a comfortable clip on a path lined with safety nets, silver-lining opportunities, and easy access. Of that, I am aware. Even though at the time, it sure didn’t feel that way. While I never achieved crazy wealth aka Real Housewives of Name Your City, I managed to pay my bills and live quite comfortably.

Maybe the gold you’re chasing isn’t money. Maybe it’s a person or an ideal—whatever that one thing is that is going to change your life. The ‘thing’ that will magically transform your bah hum life to the stuff of movies. The thing that is going to be like winning the lottery—your pot of gold. Whatever it is that you are chasing.

When you’re young, you don’t mind the chase. The chase is what you do—and you probably don’t even realize that you’re doing it because the chase is who you are. You have energy, drive, and seemingly run on caffeine and pizza with less than five hours sleep. But at some point—maybe because you’re tired or burnt out or broke or got your heart broke—you realize that you’re chasing the wrong thing.

It’s not the gold that’s the prize, it’s the rainbow.

The rainbow is not only where the magic lies, it’s where the beauty resides. It’s the place where you stop, breathe, and take in the wonder of the journey. It’s where you pause and find peace, joy, and maybe happiness.

The rainbow stops you in your tracks and reminds you how precious this one life is and asks you to take a moment to give thanks for where you are and who you are. It’s the place where you realize that perhaps you can find joy without the gold. The joy is in the beauty of what’s right in front of you if you slow down long enough to appreciate it.

Magic exists. Who can doubt it, when there are rainbows and wildflowers, the music of the wind and the silence of the stars?” ― Nora Roberts

Maybe it’s time to stop chasing and start noticing. Maybe it’s time to pause and reflect. You don’t have to be middle-aged like me to understand the importance of being present, and you certainly don’t need me to spew Monday morning quarterback wisdom from the comforts of my home. But note that if you’re still here reading, you’ve already made an important decision—to stop for a moment, sit, and enjoy a leisurely moment. You’ve stopped whatever you were doing—cleaning, shopping, running errands, and paused to do something for yourself—something small like read a local paper. And doesn’t that feel good? If you’re breathing and enjoying a moment of rest, you’ve found your rainbow. As it turns out, rainbows are everywhere.

If you’re a ‘mature’ reader, this is not breaking news. If you can name three songs off of Ye’s latest album or just bought your first Juicy Couture track suit, perhaps you’ll find a nugget of wisdom to share on TikTok.

Regardless of what you’re chasing – maybe it’s a green beer – I leave you with this Irish blessing:

As spring unfolds, may your life blossom with joy and laughter as vibrant as the emerald hues of Ireland. May this St. Patrick’s Day bring abundant blessings, exceeding the abundance of shamrocks.

Maybe it’s shamrocks we should be chasing.

About the Author: Lori is a local writer, painter and pet lover who loves to share her experiences and expertise with our readers. She has been penning a column for the OTC for over 20 years. Please follow Lori online on Medium for more missives like this.