Yesterday morning, our pastor stood up and started his sermon with the following statement:
“I. Love. Hawaii.”
He then expanded on why he loved Hawaii. He explained that when he is in Hawaii he feels as though he is in another world altogether. He can hear God better, can rest fully, can just be. Hawaii to him gives him a glimpse of what the Garden of Eden was like.
I was almost inspired to jump up and shout a big, “AMEN, Brother!”
Note that I said “almost”. It did not happen. I may go to a Baptist church, but we are not Southern Baptists. There is not a whole lot of hooting and hollering going on. So? I just nodded and smiled like the good little girl I am.
I personally have never been to Hawaii, but I feel the same way about Mexico.
When Matthew and I went there in February it changed my life. Seriously. I can get so caught up in the day-to-day that I forget to step back and look at the bigger picture, at the world outside of my little bubble. I forget to pause, I forget to rest, I forget to just BE.
When sitting on the beach and staring out into that vast expanse of the bluest water I have ever seen, I felt like I was on the edge of the world. I felt like all of the busy-ness, all of the chaos, all of the tired was behind me. Far behind me. I felt rested, I felt peaceful, I felt like I had a taste of Heaven.
Honey felt the same as I did. While we were there we talked about moving. To Mexico. Upon our return, we looked at houses in both Mexico and California (my other happy place) but came to the realization that this is our home. If we were to live in Mexico it would probably lose its allure and we would want to come here to rest, to relax, to just BE.
I have been working such long hours lately that I have been longing for those feelings I had while I was in Mexico. There is an album that I kept on repeat in my iPod while we were there and as soon as I hear the first few chords I am immediately taken back to the happiest place on Earth.
Now that summer weather has arrived, I have taken to wandering out onto the deck. I sit on a chair and prop up my feet on the ottoman. I pop in my ear buds, lean back my head and close my eyes. While the sun warms my pasty skin, the music helps to transport me to my happy place. It is like a tiny taste of Heaven.
Where is your happy place?
My local happy place is in my room. When the bed is made and the room is clean I raise the blinds on the windows, jump on the bed and read a pile of magazines.
Kristie’s last blog post..He’s gone.
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Garner State Park.
Serene, Gorgeous, The Frio. Heaven.
And *ahem* I am a Southern Baptist but I do not jump shout yell or any of the other things you inferred in your italicized snarky Southern
Hee Hee!
you know the difference between A Southern Baptist and A Southern Methodist?
The Methodists acknowledge each other in the liquor store.
rachel’s last blog post..Seven. I’ll take Seventy Please.
No snark intended! Just playing up the stereotype…including the one that Canadian Baptists are quiet and boring (we’re not, really)
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I think that my happy place is now beside my new fountain in my backyard. I can hear God better there, too.
Elizabeth’s last blog post..30 days
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My happy place? Away. With my husband. Anywhere I’m with him and we’re out travelling is my happy place. Even if we’re stuck in an airport. Seriously.
My church’s former pastor (aka my father-in-law) also said the same thing from the platform. He LOVES Hawaii and went there for a three-week retreat when he was finished his ministry here and before he started a new ministry in Saskatoon.
A happy place is definitely a good place to be. I think I need that happy place, now more than ever. Living in a bachelor suite with 4 people is STRESSFUL.
Sorry for unloading in a comment … um … GREAT POST!
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Four eyes
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Big Shocker here : New Zealand.
But specifically in The Bay of Islands. We lay on the beach and watched dolphins swim past. I didn’t want to leave!
songsinblue’s last blog post..Cutest.Thing.EVER!
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Everywhere I have travelled! I like changes in scenery.
But namely: Italy, Paris, Barbados and Fiji.
180/360′s last blog post..Sognare d’Italia (To Dream of Italy)
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um, the mall? haha. just kidding.
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I love Hawaii, too. I was there on vacation with my um, exboyfriend last June and I remember driving to North Shore with the top on the Jeep down and remembering thinking, this, *this* is God’s Country.
Rhi’s last blog post..Um, Monday Bullets?
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Your pastor is awesome!
My happy place is definitely Hawaii. It’s the highlight of my year, going there. I feel such peace and relaxation when we’re there, no matter how many people may be around us on some of the beaches. It’s heaven on earth, for me!
Sharon’s last blog post..NKOTB, baby!
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cuba. with a rum or a mojito. with my husband.
or…
a long road trip with good driving music and hot coffee.
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Maui……specifically watching my hubby and son play in the surf and make sandcastles while letting mommy “rest”. How I wish I could go there each year!
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I have a happy place and a place that makes me feel inspired to be a better person.
My happy place is Vermont. There is just something about those green mountains and crystal clear lakes that sing to me. And plus there’s a ton of good memories. That said, I’ve never been to the Caribbean so this could very well change!!
My inspired place is Morocco. I spent two weeks there around Christmas and New Years. All I can say is, wow. I was inspired to take a ton of pictures because of the amazing scenery (sometimes beautiful, sometimes not). But more importantly being faced with the poverty, I realized how important charitable donations and/or volunteer work are to me. I had the chance to go to a church service there which was so weird in a Muslim country where we saw virtually no Christmas decorations. But it was also neat to know that even minorities are inspired to express themselves. It also made me realize that I am never going away for Christmas ever again.
Sorry for the wordy comment
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This weekend it was in my backyard, on my new beach chair, with the sun beating down on me, kids screaming in the back ground as they sprayed each other with the hose.
I have many happy places, the beach in the Caribbean being top on my list. I am not too picky on specifically where in the Carribean so long as the water is blue, the sand is fine and the sun in a shining. We are so going again this year and hopefully will be renewing our vows on a beach too. It’s 10 years next May:-)
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I have never been to Hawaii (I want to go so badly!) but Mexico is my happy, peaceful place too. Really, any quiet stretch of beach will calm me but I had such a great trip to Mexico that I often find my mind wandering back there when I feel like life is getting to be too much.
sizzle’s last blog post..Noises Off
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My happy place = Hahei, on the Coromandel peninsula (in New Zealand for those who don’t know where I live). Definitely one of the most beautiful places on earth, and holds so many wonderful memories for me.
I keep a spiritual journal. Looking back in there, I can see that I have had some of my deepest and most meaningful quiet times on Hahei beach. Absolutely feel closer to God when I’m there.
Hannah’s last blog post..Tall boy
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My garden is my happy place. Sometimes coding is my obsessive place, where I don’t get anything else done, but I love to solve problems in innovative ways.
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in my bed. asleep.
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We called it “the river”… it was the most beautiful ,peaceful place we found when we were living in Vermont. Our day to day life, with my husband being a recruiter, was so incredibly stressful. Taking the drive way, way out to the middle of nowhere Vermont, felt as if we were leaving it all behind, if only for a few hours. Daddy was just Daddy again, and I had my husband back. I will always be thankful we found that beautiful retreat during the most trying time of our life together.
Oh, and Barbados pretty much rocked my world. I’m sure I could be happy there forevah…
-Andrea
Andrea’s last blog post..“An Accident”
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Vancouver!
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St. John; I think I’ll post about it soon. It’s where we honeymooned.
She Likes Purple’s last blog post..Warning: Excessive talk of cat puke
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Maui and the Mayan Riviera.
Although, honestly, the Okanagan does me some good too
Victoria’s last blog post..My Three (Non) Date Weekend
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Although it doesn’t sound as loverly as Mexico or Hawaii, so far, my favorite place (to travel) to is Las Vegas. Not really the city itself. But the Wynn Hotel. Because holey moley, that place rocked our world. And we got to be a couple. On dates! So grown-up and fabulous. Seriously, I could go on and on for days about the Hotel and Pool. Maybe I will in a post….
The Over-Thinker’s last blog post..Oh Really? You think this is a stupid book? How the hell do you keep your job??
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Mexico is quite good for the soul. My cheaper place is the Kelowna as well.
Curious what the album is that brings you back?
Jenn’s last blog post..The Second Time Around
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It was/is Mat Kearny’s “Nothing Left To Lose” CD. Awesome.
Mat Kearney
YouTube clip here:
Undeniable
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Vancouver Island and the Golf Islands with my hubby.
Love it!
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Probably right now, it would be my bed…Just before falling asleep, watching Little House on the Prairie! (Sad, I know…)
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Omg, that’s beautiful! And what a great description.
My heaven is some Greek isle, lots of wine, and lots of grilled octopus.
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I have a few happy places and one of them is Mexico as well. Some of my happy places are made up to fit the moment.
Lately they always involve hugs from my kids.
I live for them!
Anna’s last blog post..There is this lie that I have told.
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I’d say Hawaii as my far away happy place. I went last year with my boyfriend and his family and it was amazing.
There is also a lake close to where my parents live where I spent a lot of time while growing up. I get up there a few times a year still and it’s definitely one of my happy places. A shame that it is becoming over delveloped.
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Wrigley Field. With an ice cold Old Style Light in my hand. And all my best friends right there with me.
Kristabella’s last blog post..SF: It Isn’t All Fog And Taxi Cab Accidents
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I’d have to climb on board with your pastor. I. love. Hawaii. I went to college there and never felt closer to home. It was fabulous. Just hearing about it makes me all nostalgic (and homesick…)
shauna’s last blog post..How Dieting Has Aged Me
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Curious as to what album you were listening to that brings you to your happy place now? P.S. Congrats on being official photographer for BlogHer!
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Amen Sister!! Your pastor is completly right. There is an energy in Hawaii which goes beyond warm breezes and great weather. The feeling there, for me, is almost spiritual and of all the places I’ve ever been, I’ve never found another place like it.
Thanks for writing this post because
I. LOVE. HAWAII. TOO.
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Maui … specifically two different locations:
1) Kapalua. The perfect cove for relaxing on the beach and calm waters snorkling. There is a fabulous sushi restaurant just up the road from the cove.
2) Paia. A quaint, old Hawaiian neighborhood with great mom & pop shops and restaurants. There is another wonderful beach on the Mama’s Fish House property.
We have a time share in Ka’anapalii and go every year for Halloween. The weather is perfect and it is not a touristy time of year. I love it there.
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Italy. The greenery, the freshness, the history – it was amazing.
The weirdest things transport me back there, nothing consistent.
Michael Buble’s song “Home” transports me back to London every. single. time. Rainy, dreary, but oh-so-lovely.
Mostly my happy place is one I create over and over with a lounge chair, a book and a big glass of ice water in my backyard on a hot day.
Samantha’s last blog post..Stranger than fiction.
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