What is your happy place?

That's a great question! I am grateful that I have so many happy places. If you want to see a selection of mine (and those of many others), check the long-running thread "What brought you joy today?":
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-brought-you-joy-today/

@northoftheborder That is a wonderful read and I’ve been part of it - sharing about bringing my 2 Labradoodle littermate puppies into my life as a stage 4 cancer survivor.

I do love them heaps and they do bring so much joy into my life - but also heaps of stress!! They’re naughty wee lovable mischievous souls. Not my happy place as such, I need to escape to my garden for that stress relief!! 😂🐾♥️

At least they have stopped whining in their outside fenced in large area when I’m out of sight in the back or front yards pottering in the garden. I can’t trust them yet in the larger areas not to hurr themselves or wreck the garden (eg eating the reticulation or digging big holes under the boundary fence!) 😂🐾♥️ They now settle down peacefully and wait for me to come and potter in their area! They love chasing the broom and “helping”.

We've had several Labradors over the years. We refer to the young pups walking on a leash as "Trouble on a string.". I think you can relate. But they so provide a fine example of a joy-filled life!

@sandy8043 “Trouble on a string”. Great description!! So many emotions each day with pups. I love their joyful exuberance and curiosity - while continuously adjusting the puppy proofing!! The TV room and adjacent courtyard are now one huge play pen with fencing all around the edge of the room and around the pot plants and trees in the courtyard.

My Gym workouts at Fitness Over 50. Buddies everywhere. Never liked weight lifting. We always belonged to a gym but outside of swimming I never liked them. But then a buddies told me about this gym (Fitness over 60) instant happiness. Lots of people my age, 70+, all interested in health and needing weight lifting. Love the place, instant happiness, like Cheers, everybody knows your name.

@isadora2021 I love these photos. There is a lot of work and pre-planning involved with bring new dogs, especially puppies, to one's home. It's totally worth it.

@proftom2 I loved weightlifting from the moment I started it many years ago. Then, over time, I became rather bored and just didn't like going to the gym. Now, I go to a private gym that has only personal training. I work with a trainer and I know all the staff and many of the people who work out when I'm there. I will say that this is a happy place for me but I hadn't thought about it that way until I read your post. I get a good workout and lots of socializing.

Another happy place is when I sit on a chair in my living room and one of our two cats jumps into my lap and then sleeps. The purring and contentment of the kitty cat results in my own happiness.

@proftom2 How wonderful - I can understand why your gym is so lsoothing to your soul. I must try and find something similar. Thank you for sharing 🌺

@naturegirl5 Thank you, Helen. They are such loving special little souls. I am so glad I got a friend in who has had many dogs over the years to help with planning to suit my circumstances before I brought them home. We also removed the toxic plants into a different area which they’re unable to access. They sleep in separate crates in my bedroom. Not a squeak from 9.30 pm to 5 am unless there’s a toilet emergency!!

The pups started off so small with limited ability to get up to mischief. As they continue to grow and gain confidence I need to keep vigilant about adjusting the puppy proofing!

They also go to separate puppy play groups so they learn more independence and grow their own personalities while I spend solo time out walking with the pup whose turn it is to stay behind! On non puppy group days I take them both to an off leash enclosed field where they play together if we’re too early, or with other dogs if they’re there. It’s so much fun but hard work 🥰🐾

isadora2021 - Thanks for starting yet another great conversation. Being in cancer remission, I feel an incredible amount of daily gratitude. But I realize it is an important step forward to also find some joy in each day. And thank you @northoftheborder for reminding me of your great post for recognizing joyful moments - I have contributed to this and expect to do so again, it is a great reminder to notice each moment.
You both understand so well that happiness and joy are a worthy topics to explore regularly.

So for me my happy place these days is reading (fiction and nonfiction), listening to my music collection, playing the piano, connecting with friends old and new, and walking outside in nature. Wishing everyone some happy/joyful moments each day.