The Traffic Warden

Yesterday, I saw a Traffic Warden I could not help admiring on my way to work. I saw him at his duty post directing the early morning traffic. He was doing his job with so much enthusiasm that I could not help but wonder about him. Very rarely do you see traffic officers do their jobs in my country with enthusiasm and cheer, but this particular man was a first for me. There was so much energy and passion applied to his task that you could not help but notice him. As he directed me on I could see passion and life in his every action.

My first thought was, ‘why is he so happy?’ but then I caught myself quickly, why should he not be? Traffic police officers are not paid much in my neck of the wood, but this man was joyfully doing his part to serve God and country. There may be nothing to envy about his financial and social status yet he exuded confidence and joy and in the process motivated and inspired people watching him to be happy.

As I drove to work and in the course of the day I kept thinking about this happy man. My conclusion is that we determine how we live in this life. Sadness and joy are choices that every human being will make. This man made a choice that morning to be happy, but others like him made a choice to be dull and grumpy. The attitudinal choices we make determine the outcome of each day, each month and each year.

In the same vein, I had the privilege of making the acquaintance of a couple who had been married for 19 years without a child. This is not by choice, mind you. They desire to have children, but have not been able to in spite of the best medical assistance and fervent prayers. When I first got to know about their circumstance I was very shocked because you will never know by watching them. They are so happy and full of faith in God. I had a conversation with them one day and the gentleman said to me, “My sister, it does not bother me. Why should I worry and make myself unhappy about what I have no power to change?”This wonderful couple stand by each other and together are quenching the fiery flames that are burning in the homes of others who have the same kind of challenge. Their stoic faith in God and for each other motivates other couples to be happy and hopeful too. Yet there are couples who have separated or divorced on account of this same challenge. A wise man once said (I am paraphrasing), “I may not be able to control what happens to me in life, but I can control how I respond or react to those things.” It is this attitudinal adjustment that determines our joy or sadness in life.

A new month has just begun. I want to ask, what will your choices be? Happiness or sadness? The reality of life is that no one can make you happy, but you. Those who married with the belief that their spouses were created to humor them always must have been rudely shocked. There is no perfect man or woman and there is no perfect job or friend. It is only our attitudes in imperfect relationships and circumstances that create joy and happiness for us.

The best advice i can give to myself and to anyone who cares to listen is this,do not wait for events to make you happy rather create happy events for yourself. I have discovered that life is pretty much ordinary, but we can make every day spectacular by our choices. Are you divorced? This is a tough situation, but you can be happy again, I assure you. However, it will take only you to pull yourself out from the pit of depression and loneliness.

Our issues can either be like mountains or mole hills depending on our view of them. Through the lens of joy and optimism they become mole hills, but through the lens of sadness, they become like mountains. Let us opt for the lens of joy.
Let us opt for the choice of the Traffic Warden to be happy and infect whoever we come across with joy and happiness.

It is a weekend now and what better time to relax and be happy with life...be innovative and do something different from last weekend with your loved ones and family. Buy your spouse a gift or take him/her out on a date.

Pour your life into that of another...do something to lift the spirit of someone this weekend and I assure you that you will find reasons to be happy with your life like the Traffic Warden.

Peace.