my happy place

Marriotts Oceana Palms ocean

I need to be near the ocean.

My weekend at the beautiful Marriott’s Oceana Palms in Florida learning about Marriott Vacation Club (which I can’t wait to tell you about) reconfirmed that I just feel most comfortable when I’m by the beach.

So I guess it’s a good thing San Diego is my home now.

Having grown up in New York and lived in Boston for five years, I’m used to having the ocean just a quick drive away. As a family, we spent many happy summers in the Hamptons and on Cape Cod, and there is nothing more soothing to me than the sound of the waves.

It’s always fascinating to me to hear about other people’s happy places. My daughter is most at home in a woodsy, tree-filled setting. I have friends who swear by the desert and others who crave the mountains.

I love visiting all of those and appreciate their individual beauty but feel lucky to be able to return to my place by the sea. It’s why I’ve only lived on our country’s two coasts.

I’m drawn to the power and the personality of the ocean, and how its mood can change from calm and serene to angry and dark.

Marriotts Oceana Palms water

When I’m stressed, I imagine myself in a chaise lounge on a cruise ship, wrapped in a blanket and a good book, sipping iced tea and being gently rocked by the infinite blue of the sea.

“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water,” said philosopher/scientist/writer Loran Eisely. I totally agree.

I want to share this beautiful Mary Oliver poem with you, and hope you’ll share your happy place with me. Where is it?

Ocean by Mary Oliver

I am in love with Ocean
lifting her thousands of white hats
in the chop of the storm,
or lying smooth and blue, the
loveliest bed in the world.
In the personal life, there is

always grief more than enough,
a heart load for each of us
on the dusty road. I suppose
there is a reason for this, so I will be
patient, acquiescent. But I will live
nowhere except here, by Ocean, trusting
equally in all blast and welcome
of her sorrowless, salt self.

63 thoughts on “my happy place

  1. I quite agree. The ocean is where I could spend my entire life, just sitting and staring at. It quiets and soothes my soul, and lifts my spirits.

    We spent many happy summers growing up “down the shore”, riding the waves and building sand castles (not to mention my parent’s Happy Hours with Tangueray and tonic!) Now, as an adult, we go to the beach to de-stress.

  2. Not sure I could ever say this better: “I’m drawn to the power and the personality of the ocean, and how its mood can change from calm and serene to angry and dark.”
    Every word is perfectly crafted.

    I think it is the power of water…. I grew up on Lake Michigan and I remember thinking about how the lake’s magic changed (and how it changed my power too) with each season. I don’t think is anything more humbling than walking on the beach during a winter storm. Thanks for the beautiful food for thought this morning!

  3. I am an ocean girl and miss it terribly. I appreciate seeing photos so I can enjoy the beautiful views.

  4. I would love to be able to move near an ocean. There’s just something about being near one that’s so soothing to me.

  5. Me too! I’m about a half hour from the beach and don’t go there enough. I lived in Malibu overlooking the ocean in a past life, well, about forty years ago! If I move again, it will be to the ocean.

  6. I love the ocean too. I am in a position that I do guided imagery for people. I usually “take them” the the beach. We fill the senses with all that the ocean brings – the feel of the sand, the sun, the water, the smell of the salt, the sounds of the waves, the sea gulls – oh my – just thinking about all that makes me feel relaxed

  7. I’m getting closer, I’m definitely an ocean girl. If I don’t go for a couple of monthsIstart to get a blue feeling. My husband will say I think It’s time for a road trip. I lived in KY my whole life now I reside in South Carolina but I’m still 3 hours to the water. Someday I hope to move to the Oregon Coast.

  8. My happy place? I would have to say snuggled up with my loves on a lazy morning. It doesn’t last long enough though. My other happy place would have to be in the shower. When I can stay there uninterrupted for at least 5 minutes, it’s like heaven! heheh

  9. I’ve been in the mountains for so long, and I never tire of waking up to this view. But the ocean definitely draws me, and there is no doubt in my mind that we will end up living near the ocean πŸ™‚

  10. I love the ocean, though I’ve never lived very near to one. I have such fond memories of when we visited the ocean for the first time, when I was a kid. And, my son saw the ocean for the first time on his Make-a-Wish trip to California. (He still speaks fondly of the experience, and I’ll never forget).

    Thank you!

  11. I love the ocean and I live just a few miles from it. I don’t see and experience quite as much as I should. If I had to pick a place, though, it would be the mountains. That is where I would love to spend my retired days. Love the poem.

  12. I’m drawn in by the ocean as well, I’m always so relaxed when I’m listening to the crashing waves. I’ve advised my spouse that we have to live by the ocean at some point in our lives too.

  13. I haven’t been to the ocean since I was in elementary school. Maybe someday soon I can make it back so I could really soak it all in & enjoy it.

  14. My happy place is the ocean as well. Growing up in Eastern NC I have such fond memories of spending summers at the beach. Sadly now that I am older I don’t go as much as I want to, thanks for the reminder. I see a beach trip in my future.

  15. I grew up about a 20-minute drive from the sea, and it was amazing! Loved hunting for cute shells, avoiding the seaweed, dipping my toes in the wave on a hot day πŸ™‚

  16. I have always felt a little anxiety when I thought about the ocean until I moved to Florida a few months ago. We go to the beach almost every Saturday and it is where I think I find the most serene. The calm of the waves and nature all around you. Its simply beautiful.

  17. Wait, what! You were at Riviera Beach, only an hour from where I live in Miami and you didn’t let me know you were here? Bummer.

    BTW, my happy place these days is Miami with all the culture, fascinating & friendly people, amazing Jewish community, interesting nature galore (we live within 10 miles of 2 National Parks!) Biscayne Bay, etc. In traveling around the U.S. full-time for 2 years, I learned that there are a lot of gorgeous, wonderful places that offer a lot – – and while my husband and I prefer the warm weather and being on the coast, I learned that the most important criteria for being in my happy place is finding a community and a purpose that means something to me.

    1. I was literally in Florida for one full day – on business! I will definitely have to come back – I would love to visit you and your happy place πŸ™‚

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