My Happy Place

When I am stressed, I go to my happy place. It is a state of mind that changes my attitude about life. My happy place has always been the beach. There are plenty of other peaceful places: the mountains, the temple, my home, anywhere outside with a good view or sunny weather. But when I go to my happy place, I imagine myself sitting on the beach soaking in the sun. There is a calm breeze. The water is perfect temperature and the weather is just hot enough so that you can get wet but you don’t need to get wet in order to be cool. The only sound you hear is the ocean. The beach is a place I have rarely gone to literally, but when I am there, I love it.

Happiness can seem so far away, and the beach is so far away from me. But happiness and peace are right at our fingertips. I was at the beach over the weekend with my family. I felt the most relaxed I have been in a long time. I forgot about life and instead focused on the sand between my toes and the warmth of the sun on my skin. It is such a peaceful place. It has continued to lift my mood for the whole week.

Sometimes I think I can be perfectly content sitting on the beach for the rest of my life. I pointed this out to a co-worker who had lived in Hawaii when going to school there, and she said that after a while of going to the beach every day, she got so sick of it. That made me reflect on whether the beach really is my happy place. Would I find joy in laying out in the sun day in and day out? No. I find joy in serving others, in living the gospel, in working hard, in spending time with friends and family. And I may need to imagine myself sitting on the beach when I am stressed, but I can be in my happy place always. I can always find peace if I am looking for it.