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Today’s Miracle Moment Is About Finding Your Happy Place…
I was inspired to do this Miracle Moment because I’m actually in my Happy Place right now – Maui. And not only that, but the house that I’m staying in is filled with little signs that say “Find Your Happy Place.” I even found out that the street I live on, which is Luana Place, is Hawaiian for “Happy.”
Outside my house, here there is the most magical garden surrounded by trees and beautiful plumerias and hibiscus flowers. I’m just a short drive from the most fantastic beach with crystal blue waters and I love going there to watch the epic sunsets at the end of the day. All around Maui, there are waterfalls and hiking trails and glorious sunsets.
It’s deeply life-giving and nourishing to spend time in beautiful parts of the world, and happiness research can also tell us why it feels so good.
Taking a walk by an ocean, a river, or a lake allows you to breathe in air filled with negative ions, which can decrease stress and lift your mood.
If you have a garden at home and love to dig in the dirt, you’re getting yourself around great beneficial bacteria which has been shown to act as a natural antidepressant.
When you take a hike in a park, you’re surrounded by trees and you can take a deep breath and flood your body with oxygen.
Sunlight can reset your serotonin and melatonin levels, the feel-good hormones that you need in order to get deep sleep at night so you feel amazing the next day.
At the same time, being somewhere out in nature, like Maui, is just part of the equation. You also have to build the muscle of taking in how good it is!
Dr. Rick Hanson talks about the power of taking in the good.
He says that “the brain is like Velcro for negative experiences, but Teflon for positive ones. That leads to your underlying expectations, beliefs and mood to be in an increasingly negative direction. Dr. Hanson says that you need to train your mind to take in the good, and notice any resistance to it, and one way you can do that is by savoring the good for 20 or 30 seconds.
So it’s not just about being in your happy place – it’s about training your mind to take in all the good of your happy place! And the more you allow yourself to really take in a positive experience, the more you rewire your brain in that direction. By taking in the good, not only can you enjoy your happy place even more, but take it with you wherever you go.
This week, I invite you to take yourself out to a place in nature that you love.
While you’re there, take some time to intentionally take in the goodness of it. Notice all of the colors around you, allow your feet to connect with the sand or dirt or ground, notice the wind or the breeze or the sunlight. Savor the goodness your body is taking in from all the seconds. Breathe it in and spend at least 20 or 30 seconds really intentionally enjoying it.
I’d love to hear where your Happy Place is, and what it is you enjoy about it! Share with us in the comments! And I’ll leave you with this quote from Mary Davis: “A walk in nature walks the soul back home.” Have a fabulous week!
My happy place is sitting by my Lake listening to the sounds around me and seeing all the beauty surrounding me. relaxing and being at peace knowing that my Angels are all around me
That sounds so peaceful and divine, Catherine!
My happy is anywhere near the ocean, and especially aqua blue water with white sand.
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Hi Marci! Thanks for your work. I appreciate you and all you do to help others! My happy place is Lake Chapala. It’s the largest lake in Mexico and where I live – at lakeside in the city of Chapala, Jalisco.
You’re welcome, Amie! It’s sounds wonderful to live by the lake. More miracles to you!
A walk in nature
Starts the river rush of Love, my Inner River of Peace
Flowing through me every time.
Thank you, Candace Newman.
Wow! Such a beautiful way to express what a walk in nature can do. Thank you for sharing that, Candace!
Hi Nancy! I agree, to be by the ocean is always such a special treat.
I find my peace and happiness after having run my half marathon race. I always feel happy and fulfilled.
Henry.
That’s amazing, Henry! Thank you for inspiring the rest of us. Much love!
Thank you, Marci! I am going to Cape Cod from July 14-early Sept. and that is my happy place–either sitting on a rock on the beach gazing at the ocean or on a bench on the bikepath where I bike or walk and taking in the beauty and writing a poem there. I usually take at least a one mile walk every day but alas, it is 100 degrees out these days so I’m allowing my eyes to feast on the greens of the trees glowing in the wind and on butterflies and birds flying by and on the flowering plants in my house. Much love to you and everyone, Clare
That sounds wonderful, Clare! Stay hydrated while you take in the beautiful nature around you. Much love to you too!
My happy place is the beach close to me in Florida, walking barefoot in the beautiful white quartz cool sand, with the sandpipers, the sea gulls, smelling the Gulf of Mexico air. Wading in the sparkling water like diamonds from the sun and watching the glorious sunset with oranges, purples, golden sky. Glorious!!! My happy place!!!!
Thank you for transporting me to your happy place with your words, Rhoda. It feels like a joyous place to be at and get in touch with the nature!
I find my peace and happiness after having run my half marathon race. I always feel happy and fulfilled.
Henry.
Every morning at about 6:30 I take my dog for a walk on the beach – and I take in the sun, the water, the sound of the waves, the seagulls, the breezes, my feet in the sand and then I can laugh at her antics as she splashes in the waves trying to catch them – she is always on leash so there are times I get wetter than I anticipated but then along with all the senses I get to feel the water as well. I am so blessed to have this as my happy place every morning – I get to greet the regulars on the way as we walk – it’s truly a sensory, feeling time – and more than 20 seconds we are blessed with all of this for at least 45 minutes.
It’s wonderful that you get to experience your happy place every day, Maureen! You’re truly living a miraculous life. Much love!
My happy place is when I drop my personality and find my eternal self.
Wow! Beautifully said, Glen.
More miracles to you!
Marci, thank you for Finding your Happy Place. My backyard at night is my happy place. I live in the middle of a city and yet I get to experience fireflies blinking their language at each other. It feels fairy-like as if they are inviting me to make a wish.
Looks like you have created a wonderful oasis for yourself in the city, Colleen. Enjoy!
I live near a walking trail in the mountains where every evening there is an awe inspiring sunset. Every day it’s different, and magnificent in its own way. What a gift to savor. The birds, the plants swaying in the breeze, the sun bringing its magic to the color of the clouds. Truly feeds my soul.
Aww! To experience miraculous sunsets every day is such a dream, Cindy! It must truly be gratifying to call such a place your home.
I’m lucky enough to have a getaway place at the beach!!! Specifically Laguna Niguel with a 3 minute drive to the ocean for walks, lunch and what have you. The water feeds my soul. I instantly feel different with the 1st ocean breeze on my face.
I live in the mountains which is not for me; and I understand why my husband chooses to be there close to his office.
So I’m beyond grateful and happy to pick up and go when I need to reel myself back in and ground myself with my toes in the sand. xo
I can truly understand when you say that the water feeds your soul! It’s always refreshing to be by the ocean and take in and experience the expansive natural beauty.
Visited my place today
Together with my husband
After he’s surgery he today manges to walk down to the sea
Our favorite Crouse chip passed us and two weeks from now we are going to take a cruise too…!!
Have a wonderful time on the cruise, Birgitta! More miracles to you and your husband.
Just completed 96 mile West Highland Way (Scotland) and am now savouring the beauty of heavy rain droplets on ferns , wet mossy rocks, lichen trees, heather moorlands , glens ,meadows full of wild orchards foxgloves, and wetlands with bog asphodels and cascading waterfalls streams down the soaring mountains, and then the only remaining Caledonian pinewoods and so much more 😎❤️🌲
Wow! Thank you for taking us on a scenic journey just by your words, Grazyna! Your adventure sounds so exciting. Wish you more such beautiful adventures.
My happy place is Bermagui on the the far south coast of NSW east coast Australia. Pristine oceans and coastline where you can walk alone without seeing others foot prints. Often there are dolphins, whales and sea eagles. I lived there for 7 years and return every year for a top up. Heaven on Earth!
Definitely sounds like a heaven on Earth, Robyn! Thank you for sharing it with us.
HI Marcy,
My happy place is at a nearby rapid flowing stream. I hear the water racing over the stones, with birds singing in the trees. The air is clear and colors are vibrant and alive! I touch the water and connect with the earth. It’s my divine place that I charish.
Ahh! To enjoy the sounds of nature and connect with Mother Earth is indeed precious, Betsy.
YEP – MY DREAM PLACE TOO…..alas I need such dreams to be realized. Lost hubby and still in state of being “cast away”
Don’t sleep. brain is mush and heart aches.
Dear Maya, 🙌 I am sending you long distance reiki and prayers for healing and dissolving of the trauma of loosing a spouse. May you soon step into the New You filled with muc Light, Love, Joy, and Peace. 🙏 I pray that you be abundantly blessed in all aspects of your life going forward. So Thank you God.🙌
Sending you peace and healing energy. 🙏🏼
Hi Maya,
It’s understandable, but nature can be healing. Take your time, and when you’re ready, venture out to a place in nature that you might like to explore or find peaceful. Much love!
I am most happy either in the audiences or working back stage with live theater productions. There is a hush with lights down/curtain up as the audience draws together in one collective experience. I’ve been working or volunteering for many years after moving to a magical place…Ashland, Oregon. I get miracles, sometimes just little ones, and also big ones every time I am in town. Actually, this whole area is my happy place. Also, I have the honor of creating floral designs with flowers I can pick from the splendid gardens that surround a hospice care facility. My hope is that people might notice, and even for a few seconds, see a happy place in the beauty of the flowers.
Love that for you, Daisy! I like your concept of the whole area being your happy place. You are truly living in the miracle zone. More miracles to you.
I especially enjoy the picture of you snd Sergio. Very good energy together.
My happy place is primarily by the ocean; as well as in my own home with its gardens, pets, friends and family.
Thank you, Dahana!
My favorite happy place at the moment is on my backyard deck which is partially shaded by a gigantic River Birch. As I look up into the swaying limbs and leaves, experiencing the gentle breezes, sunshine and clouds, the cares of the world melt and dissolve. There in the Present Moment I have no worries and I am at peace.
That sounds wonderful, Catherine! Yes, the power of one’s happy place is to bring our attention to the present moment and enjoy it. Glad you’re able to experience it in your backyard. Enjoy!
I’m spending time in my vegetable and multiple flower gardens. The hollyhocks are starting to bloom and the raspberries are getting ripe!! Abundance all around! Feeling blessed with miracles. Thank you Marci!!
The abundance of gardening is such a joyous feeling, Patty! Wish you an amazing harvest season.
How timely! I have been going to the beach this week early in the morning and it has been SO serene! In Ayurveda, we teach that the 3 “S” senses soothe the mind: sound, smell, and sight. I enjoyed it all this morning: the sound of the waves, the smell of the salt air, and the sight of sand and sea!
Thank you for sharing the three senses with us, Betsy! It’s such a great way to take in the present moment when we’re in our happy place.
My happy place is nature, especially mountains, the ocean, hiking trails, music, my garden and sitting on my back porch.
Sounds so adventurous yet calming, Mary! Much love.
My happy place is by the ocean however I can’t get out there often. So as an alternative, when there is a cool breeze I really savor it by closing my eyes and feeling it on my skin and breathe it in. During summer, any time there is a cool breeze it’s just heaven and I take special delight in it. I also love letting cold water run on my wrists during warm weather…it’s a heavenly feeling. Those are small beach alternatives I’ve found. Sometimes it’s just the little things, right?
Hi Bonnie,
I love the fact that you visualize your happy space in such small alternative ways. It’s such a good exercise to experience the joy and peace that your happy place brings to you. Thank you for sharing this great idea with us.
Much love!
Express deep gratitude for light you shine upon world Much love Shellie S
Thank you so much for those kind words, Shellie!
My Happy Place is in my saltwater pool, swimming with my dog. We call my backyard “Palm Island”, even though I have no Palm Trees! It has a calming energy and gives peace to me and my friends who visit.