Good Places
There are dozens of spots along Highway 101 that seem unaffected by the rest of the world around them. The ocean and the sky meet along the horizon and you can’t tell which is which. Coastal trees are twisted and warped from the prevailing ocean winds. The colors change in the air magically throughout the day, the soft blues of morning transitioning to golden glows at sunset. I love these spots, the little pockets of the world that feel untouched and raw, teeming with life and freshness. No technology or noise can corrupt the beauty of these spots.
There are other areas that are far different but no less beautiful. The tops of lush mountains make me feel like an explorer, like I’m the first one to see the dense forests and scattered wildflowers. I get to live my fantasy of being an elf, or some other fairytale creature, equipped with my armor and a pair of magical swords, or so I like to imagine, anyway. The plants fill the air with an unmistakable dampness, and a smell that never loses its reviving crispness lingers in your nose. It’s the kind of smell that sticks to your clothes and goes home with you.
Then there are the sprawling deserts, littered with cactus, dust and sand and dangerous creatures that fascinate me. Desert sunsets are some of the most beautiful, decorated with saguaro silhouettes and dark clouds sparkled with lightning strikes. Behind the veil of dry and repetitive scenery is a vast expanse of colorful life that blooms when the weather shifts. I love the patience of the desert, and that it is one of the most brutal and mysterious and gorgeous areas on the planet.
Beyond the beautiful and scenic landscapes are the pockets of good places that exist around you, at home, at work, in everyday areas that you don’t even notice. I’m continually amazed by the happy spaces that seem to pop up in the most random spots. They seem to shift, darting from place to place. Some of them exist for only a second, touching the deepest and happiest part of me before disappearing. I find these pockets of joy walking down the street, when the light shines through the trees and the wind blows a certain way. Sometimes it hits me in the kitchen, while I’m attempting to make something really nice to eat, knowing the food I’m making is good for our bodies and souls. Goodness sometimes pops up between me and a stranger as we greet each other with a smile, passing on the street. I know I’ll probably never see them again but our day is brighter just by sharing some happiness. A bubble of perfection forms around me for a moment and I pray it lasts as long as possible.
Simple actions create good places, like when I share a hug (a real, solid hug, where you aren't afraid to hold on a little tighter) or rest on the couch, watching the sun shift across the wall and taking in the serenity and peacefulness of the moment. Nothing else exists except the goodness, nothing can taint the feeling. These are the presents I love to unwrap every day, and they sometimes number in the dozens. They’re everywhere, in so many forms, big and small, encompassing an area miles long and sometimes completely contained in the perfect tangerine I’m eating. I can’t wait to see how many I can find.
There are other areas that are far different but no less beautiful. The tops of lush mountains make me feel like an explorer, like I’m the first one to see the dense forests and scattered wildflowers. I get to live my fantasy of being an elf, or some other fairytale creature, equipped with my armor and a pair of magical swords, or so I like to imagine, anyway. The plants fill the air with an unmistakable dampness, and a smell that never loses its reviving crispness lingers in your nose. It’s the kind of smell that sticks to your clothes and goes home with you.
Then there are the sprawling deserts, littered with cactus, dust and sand and dangerous creatures that fascinate me. Desert sunsets are some of the most beautiful, decorated with saguaro silhouettes and dark clouds sparkled with lightning strikes. Behind the veil of dry and repetitive scenery is a vast expanse of colorful life that blooms when the weather shifts. I love the patience of the desert, and that it is one of the most brutal and mysterious and gorgeous areas on the planet.
Beyond the beautiful and scenic landscapes are the pockets of good places that exist around you, at home, at work, in everyday areas that you don’t even notice. I’m continually amazed by the happy spaces that seem to pop up in the most random spots. They seem to shift, darting from place to place. Some of them exist for only a second, touching the deepest and happiest part of me before disappearing. I find these pockets of joy walking down the street, when the light shines through the trees and the wind blows a certain way. Sometimes it hits me in the kitchen, while I’m attempting to make something really nice to eat, knowing the food I’m making is good for our bodies and souls. Goodness sometimes pops up between me and a stranger as we greet each other with a smile, passing on the street. I know I’ll probably never see them again but our day is brighter just by sharing some happiness. A bubble of perfection forms around me for a moment and I pray it lasts as long as possible.
Simple actions create good places, like when I share a hug (a real, solid hug, where you aren't afraid to hold on a little tighter) or rest on the couch, watching the sun shift across the wall and taking in the serenity and peacefulness of the moment. Nothing else exists except the goodness, nothing can taint the feeling. These are the presents I love to unwrap every day, and they sometimes number in the dozens. They’re everywhere, in so many forms, big and small, encompassing an area miles long and sometimes completely contained in the perfect tangerine I’m eating. I can’t wait to see how many I can find.
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