Everyone has that one special place. Mine is at the beach.. Although I thought it did at one time, it really doesn’t matter what beach it is. For me, there is something about seeing the power of the ocean and the sheer expanse of water and sand and realizing that He controls it all.

Recently, I was able to take a few days in Nags Head, and took advantage of getting up at the crack of dawn, getting dressed and walking down the beach when almost no one was on it.

Early is not for everyone, but I cannot explain how it feels to walk towards the beach with just a sliver of light showing, and literally watching the dawn of a new day. It’s definitely my favorite place to gather my thoughts and do a reset on my brain.

With all we have going on with the day to day stresses of life, whether it be home, work, or something else, finding that place you can go and find just a few minutes of peace is so important.

It doesn’t have to be the beach. Another favorite place for me is the gym pool at an odd hour. There’s something about being in the pool when it’s quiet, doing a backstroke and looking up and realizing it’s just you and your thoughts. I can’t explain what 30 minutes of unplugging can do for your psyche!

Quiet for you could be window shopping in the mall when it first opens or just before it closes, sitting with a cup of coffee at Starbucks, walking around your local high school track or your neighborhood, putting on your headphones and going to the gym, or the ever so popular bubble bath in your own home!

I have more than one happy place. That place doesn’t always have to be alone. I love nuzzling up in my husbands neck. That place in between his shoulder blade and ear is without a doubt one of my favorite places to be. Or taking the 7 minute ride with my daughter to school in the morning while talking to her and talking to God about our day.

For me, my quiet and happy place usually involves being reconnected with my Maker because in truth, He is my calm place and without my calm place, I don’t think I could exist. Believe me, I’ve tried!

If you have that Happy Place, go take a few minutes and do that reset I was talking about. If you don’t have one, take some time to find it because it truly can help you to renew and LIVE LIFE!