In early September, during our visit to Disneyland with my parents, we were all sitting on the Disneyland train that goes around the park. I was feeling nostalgic as the conductor yelled, “ALL Aboard” and closed the gate. This was the last time we would be with my parents for a while, and it was a dream come true to be in Disneyland with our children and their grandparents.
Just as the tranquility washed over me, a woman came running up to the gate after it had closed and yelled at the conductor that she needed to get onto the train to get to the parade in time. She was visibly upset, huffing and puffing and disturbing the peace! How could she ruin my moment? And then I realized, she can’t. This is the happiest place on earth.
It was clear, looking at this very unhappy woman, that I was happy by choice. I also did not need to leave my happy place to join her in her discomfort. Just because she was unhappy and in my happy place, I did not have to leave. She did not have the power to steal this moment, unless I gave it away.
I was happy sitting there, in spite of the 100 degree plus temperatures, the lines that serpentined endlessly, and the grown men in Goofy hats with Yoda backpacks. I am happy because I choose to be in any given moment!
It is powerful to think that no matter where I am and what I am facing, I can make a choice to be happy or not. This woman also believed that she would be much happier if she could just get to her destination. Oh, how I can relate to that trap. There are so many moments in a day when I think, if I just get through this meeting, or finish prepping this meal, or planning this party, then I will be happy.
It is never true. There is rarely a happy ending to an unhappy journey. Even if the train has left the station, and I am still on the platform, I am surrounded by possibility. All of it begins with my courage to choose happiness over resistance of any kind. All aboard!
Today’s Tweetable: “There is rarely a happy ending to an unhappy journey.” @livologyblog –
