My Happy Places

posted 18th September 2010    Written by: Renee    CATEGORY: Inspiration, Life Lesson, Love/Relationships, Renee, Season 3

Where do you find the time to be happy and grateful? How do you claim me-time, me-space, me-rejuvenation (mejuvenation?) in a schedule that is so structured that it seems to run on its own? How do you slow down to appreciate all that’s swirling around you?  I’ve been struggling with appreciating life’s recent gifts to me.

I’ve been blessed with so much recently – the chance to further my education, the responsibility to teach classes of my own, the intellectual challenges I’ve been craving, sharing an office with like-minded individuals who share the same drive, diving into such thought-provoking and inspiring research, balancing school life and work life and home life successfully, not to mention an incredibly supportive husband who has really provided me more encouragement than I ever knew I needed. How do I acknowledge all the love, passion, and inspiration that constantly surround me? How do I do it justice?

Recently, my husband and I have gotten into the habit of saying (well, more like sighing), “Happy place.” Is it one of those stupid newlywed-esque things to do? Of course. Do I love it all the same? Hell yes.

Lately, my happy places have been on the couch, next to my husband, beer in one hand, cat between us, football on the television. Or sleeping in on the weekend, a cool breeze coming through the bedroom window, the smell of autumn kissing the air, and the promise of an unplanned day. Or settling in with a book for class that I actually enjoy, a cup of tea on the coffee table, a purring kitty at my feet. Or stuffing myself with sushi and leaning back to groan, “Ughh…. Happy place.”

Truthfully, my happy place consists of my husband, a delicious beverage, my fuzzy cat, and contentedness that goes beyond reflection. There’s no need to reflect on everything when it just feels like it’s all in place. Everything is going in the right direction. The puzzle pieces are starting to fit together. The fog is beginning to lift. It’s okay to forget the swirling world around me to take a moment to sigh, “Happy place.”

In the chaos of every day monotony, I find it refreshing to the soul to really commit to a moment. Just one moment. Just a moment to recognize that things are better than just all right and the hard work I’ve been putting in is all worth it. Just a moment to give a nod to the universe for bestowing so much good on me. Just a moment to appreciate it all.

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Comments (5)

5 Responses to “My Happy Places”

  • Alisha Says:
    September 18th, 2010 at 6:39 pm

    Being in the moment–recognizing happy places–is one of my really weak points. It is probably also why I'm so stressed. I'm too focused on the past and the future and forget to take in the present. Beautiful. Reading this made me so relaxed :)

  • nikkiklecha Says:
    September 19th, 2010 at 8:13 am

    Lovely. I sometimes do the same thing, except instead of saying "happy place," I start singing (in my head) "repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy…" I know it's a little strange, but it makes me aware of how good life is in that moment. So I get it. :)

  • Renee Says:
    September 21st, 2010 at 12:00 pm

    Haha, I'm not afraid of extreme cheesiness, but thank you, emmajoan!

  • Renee Says:
    September 21st, 2010 at 12:00 pm

    Ohhh, I like that one. Adorable.

  • Renee Says:
    September 21st, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    I'm overworked and overstressed, too. I find when I take the time to collect a moment, my stress goes away for just a fleeting second. And that's enough to get through for a little while longer.

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