My Happily Ever After Place

You couldn’t pay me enough to go here again physically but mentally; I do

“I’ve already had my happily ever after.”

– Terri Irwin

I remember this beautiful waterfall like it was yesterday, but it was over twenty years ago. My husband and I each said, “I do,” in Kauai. I would marry him all over again, but the part you couldn’t pay me enough to do again is sneaking off to this unbeaten path.

We had to hurry through a sugar cane field. Crawl under a fence, and there, the most magnificent waterfall that my eyes could have ever seen appeared amongst the greenery. The locals were jumping and diving here and there. The foliage was thick, making the waterfall a hideaway.

I know, you might be thinking, why wouldn’t you do it again? Well, for starters, it was trespassing! Plus, can you imagine the tarantulas on the sugar cane? What was I thinking? I was young, dumb, and in love!

We have been married for over twenty years, and we love to take the unbeaten paths in life. However, I’m much more innovative and cautious now.

This waterfall is my happily ever after place in my mind.

I can still see, hear, smell, and feel the water. As far as taste, I indulged in a sweet, blondie brownie with macadamia nuts from a roadside hut after our adventure.

Embracing all your senses during a memorable moment helps imprint the experience in time within your mind.

How I came across mini-vacations

I learned the technique of visiting my happy place through my chemotherapy journey with breast cancer in 2019. If you enjoy this story today, you might also enjoy, How To Work Play Into Your Life: All Work Isn’t Fun.

“A happy place can help you get through the many negative situations life throws at you. It can help you cope with stress, physical illness, and loss of mental energy.”

–Sayed Ahmed

Short and sweet

In the previous article, I share how our happy place can be like a mini-vacation. I have several happy places etched in my mind and heart.

Here are a few, from mountains to the ocean, waterfalls, and Clearwater Beach in Florida. To our family shack where we go camping. All of these places bring me great joy.

These mini-vacations can put a smile on your face while filling you with peace and tranquility in your heart.

The key is to first live in the moment to create these beautiful places and etch them in your mind and heart. Next, slow down, while sitting in a comfortable spot. Now reimagine your happy place and drop into the experience all over again.

Where is your happy place? Please close your eyes, and are you there yet? Dare to imagine!

Here’s my favorite happy place, our family shack.

Happy Places

A Haiku

Your heart is fullest your mind senses harmony, peace, happy places

Thank you, Trista Signe Ainsworth, for this memory-provoking prompt to share our happy places as writers within your publication; Thank You Notes.