Happiness is a choice, you cannot choose what happens, but you can choose your reaction to it and be Happy.

It seems we are bombarded with all kinds of distressing news, even the weather can irritate us. I know the warm sticky weather we’re experiencing right now isn’t having a positive effect on my disposition. I’ve also chosen not to listen to the news other than to be informed. I’m beginning to think that newscasts just want to dwell on the negative. That’s not how I choose to live my life.

Happiness is a choice. We can choose to see the beauty all around us or see that the neighbor’s yard looks like a garbage dump. 

I was at my local market last night. I was waiting at the deli counter to get some sliced roast beef for sandwiches and a snack for my sweet Diva. A woman was looking at the pastry display case. She looked, waited, glanced my way, looked at the display case, walked away . . . returned . . . then said, “Tell the girl there’s a fly in the pastry display case. I was going to get something, but not now.”

I was thinking about getting some danish, but after seeing the disgusting look on the woman’s face I decided to pass on the danish.

After my roast beef was sliced, I was hoping a fly wasn’t lingering on it. Then I remembered she had to open a new package.

I did tell the young woman behind the counter that there was a fly in the pastry display case. She merely shrugged and said, “What am I supposed to do? We try to keep the doors closed and we have these blowers, but flies get in.”

This got me thinking . . . was there a fly landing on my danish the last time I bought some? Is this a serious problem that I’ve been ignoring? I could feel my face contorting into the same disgusting look I saw earlier from the woman who brought the fly to my attention.

I walked around the store for awhile, gathering items . . . feeling a bit sick to my stomach . . . dwelling on the fly in the pastry display case . . . and wondering  if it was a frequent guest . . .

Then I stopped. 

I stopped thinking about the fly. I stopped thinking how I could have gotten fly cooties on my danish the last time I bought some. I stopped looking for flies.

Then, I remembered “Happiness is a choice.”

I felt fine when I arrived at the store. It was much more comfortable inside than out. I finished my shopping and went to check out.

I felt good. I was pleased I got the items I came for and my precious Diva would be happy to see me when I arrived home. I wasn’t thinking of the sticky warm weather outside. I chose to be happy and not dwell on the negative.

I sometimes forget “Happiness is a choice.” We are reminded every day in subtle ways of this fact. I suppose it is easier to fret and worry about stuff . . . is it conditioning? If so, than we can stop this pattern and go into another mode . . . looking and finding something to appreciate . . . count our many blessings . . . be grateful for what we do have and are capable of doing . . . finding happiness . . . or humor . . . just to break the cycle.

I truly love this blog where I can write about mundane things that happen at the grocery store . . . and turn it into a lesson . . . maybe more for myself than others . . . but if it helps you . . . this makes me happy.

A little transparency, our website contains affiliate links. This means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. Don't worry there's no extra cost to you. It's a simple way you can support our mission and bring you quality content.