Thursday, October 22, 2015

My Happy Place

I used to believe happy places are defined as such, because of the place. And, then, I learned happiness comes from within; the place we are in on the inside. Happiness does not grow from outside places, people, or things. Ultimately, happiness is a state of mind. 

We make places happy. We make our relationships happy. We make things happy. The energy and support we offer - undying faith in a person or place or thing are what makes it happy - whatever it may be.

Lately, I notice, I find a lot more happiness living inside of me and around me. I noticed this happiness after I committed to paying attention to the happy brewing in my heart and fluttering in my tummy. Now, I see my happy places multiply, instead of divide. Today, as I wheeled along the river path with my sweet, happy walker, Belle, my mind was clear and filled with ease. My joy, palpable, and my awe, immeasurable. I only saw, Beauty, living and breathing around me. Beauty in the brightly colored leaves and sparkling river water. Beauty makes me happy every, single time. A few days ago, I reveled in chopping vegetables, using good knife form, and recounted the countless hours I watched Ina Garten chop on Food Network and, better yet, remembered the knife skills class Kelly gifted me. Dinners I cook or eat out, with the very best of friends, rapidly increase my laugh lines and I don’t mind these well-earned lines one bit. My morning cup of coffee is a reason to awake and peel my body out of my bed. I, all but cheered the other night, as I hit play on my DVR because TV, my dog, and salt and vinegar chips are such a happy space for me. I watch, as my dad takes care of my lawn and flowers and Hydrangea bushes, and can’t help but feel joy. I sit, with my mom, at my kitchen table and just yack; exactly like we did when I was a teenager and I can’t stop smiling. I go to Ashlea’s and spend time with her family and feel a bubbling over of goodness. I sit, write to you and for me, and tears of gratitude and faith and love and hope fill my eyes. Because, I realize, we are all in this life thing together. We are all working to find our happy places, together.



Yes, it is true, a place or a thing or a person can bring us a momentary happiness. But, what brings us the truest and most undeniable, unflappable joy is what we bring to the situation. It is what we offer, what we seek to find, and what we choose to expand that makes the given experience what it is. If our inner peace is a fortress, the outside muck doesn’t have a chance. We create these happy spaces and moments when we are willing to visit our happy - these feelings of joy - again and again and again. Go find your happy place; it already lives inside of you. I was trapped inside my house and inside my mind for a long, long time. There isn't any shame in this kind of entrapment. The sadness is just as much a part of life as the happiness. The only way out, though, is to do what you love. Always do what you love and makes your heart sing...even if it is for five minutes. The rest of life will catch up with you, I promise. 




Doing what I love most. Sharing a meal I love, with a person I love, and in a place I love. And, Mary, I have two drinks because Kelly knows the bartender. And the bartender says we make her happy. See, happiness breeds more happiness. 

12 comments:

  1. Going to go find my happy place! Thanks, Sarah!! Xo

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    1. I'll meet you there! Thank you, Laura...so much more than a neighbor :) xoxo

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  2. Being happy is not only a state of mind, it's your attitude too! Don't dwell in the past, you can't change that. Favorite music, movies and being around family or pets will do. Yes, we all got troubles but when life gives you cabbage, make cole slaw.

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    1. Love this - thank you, Sandy! You are right...it's the little things that create the most happiness. And I'll be sure to make some cole slaw this weekend! Thank you for being so sweet and supportive. xo

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  3. Tonight my happy place will be on the couch with my husband watching American Horror story with a drink after dinner! Have a wonderful weekend, Sarah!

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    1. This is a perfect happy place! Thank you for sharing...I may copy your happy place tonight!

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  4. Love! I need to work harder on just this approach - thanks!

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    1. It is so true...we have to work on finding the happy. Sounds like it shouldn't be that way, but it is and once it comes from the right place...the inside...the happy places multiply. I think the first and biggest step is just starting to work on finding the happy. Awareness is everything. xo

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  5. This post makes me happy! :o)

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  6. Your words. Lots of applications in my life. Thanks for the reflections that make me pause and think.

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Thank you for commenting. I appreciate all of your words.