Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Happiness is a choice

Before my flight to Phoenix this morning, I had to maneuver my way through the security lines at O’Hare Airport in Chicago. This is never one of my favorite things to do. The lines are nearly always long and longer. And sometimes the agents are crabby and bossy. The other people in line? Some of them are crabby and pushy, too.

Today was different, however. The woman examining my license and my ticket was friendly and smiled at those who came to her desk. That in turn made me relax a bit more about the whole process. I found myself passing on the kindness, letting someone step in front of me when they appeared in much more of a hurry than I was (I had allowed enough extra time before my flight). I was more courteous and friendly to everyone around me.

What a difference it makes when we are positive and happy. It does have a ripple effect, doesn’t it? And it bounces right back to us again. I’m sure the security agent received positive responses in return.

Can you always be happy and positive? Of course not. There are times of trauma and grief when you just need to honor those experiences and stay with the grief or fear you feel. And are there times when you could make the choice to be positive and when it might not only make you feel better about your life, but it would light up someone else’s day? I’m sure there are.

Much of the time, you and I can make a choice: a choice to be positive or to be negative. Which will it be today?

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