A Happy Place

According to the dictionary, a happy place is simply a place where a person feels safe and at ease. Sometimes, feeling safe is all we need to feel happy.But according to the Bible, the ultimate “happy place” is the presence of God, where there is “fullness of joy” and eternal pleasures (Psalm 16:11).So what about that distant place my friend dreams of, the mountains of Maine? It may not be the safest place in the world, she would be alone, surrounded by cold weather and silence. Yet it’s quiet. It’s a place where she could look at God’s creation and simply be happy.And what about my other friend, whose daughter plays volleyball? When I asked her, “How’s your daughter doing tonight?” her answer was simple: “She’s in her happy place.”I have another friend who serves as a volunteer at the local church. On Sunday mornings, when she arrives just to help, her usual greeting is, “Good morning from the happiest place in the world.”You see, finding a happy place isn’t only about who’s there with you, though we often say, “My happy place is where my people are.” A happy place is where your heart and your mind come into agreement. It’s when you allow yourself to enjoy the moment, to experience a kind of fulfillment that only peace of mind and peace of heart can create together—intertwined.And maybe, just maybe, our truest happy place isn’t a location at all, but a presence.I don’t know what your happy place is, but today, I invite each of us to pause for a moment and think of a place where, even if just for a few minutes, we don’t need anything else.I’ll be looking for mine.Would you do the same?BW