Ask yourself: when was the last time you felt real peace? Or joy? Or freedom?
Peace?
For me, It was in Monte Verde, Costa Rica. After packing up our Airbnb, I remember hitting the road. Our rental was a 4×4 with enough space for all the shit we had been moving around the country for the last month. The truck was robust enough to handle the unpredictable, rocky paths that Costa Ricans call “roads.”
On one of those days, I tried to practice not needing to know every detail of the plan; I simply went with the flow. That being said, I can’t recall all the specifics, like what time we left or where we intended to go. I just remember pulling up to a small wooden shack tucked between two trees that blended into the thick surrounding rainforest. A wooden sign nailed to the front read, “Aguas termales naturales.”
We got our tickets and I followed a winding path, trying desperately not to twist my ankle. Finally, the site came into view. There were about five to eight small pools of water, each varying in temperature. The water was heated by the nearby volcano. We dipped into a milder pool and soon decided to kick it up a notch by hopping into another that was very warm—not uncomfortably so, but close. I settled into the water and stared up at the sky. Trees from the rainforest hung overhead, and I marveled at the patterns of the massive green leaves while simultaneously noticing how quickly the clouds traveled by.
I took a deep breath and paused to feel the water surrounding my body. It felt like a big hug. I’ve always been in awe of nature. I didn’t think it could get any better, but when I opened my eyes, I felt a drop of water land on my cheek. Can you believe it? In a moment so perfect, when I thought nothing could surpass it, it began to rain. It wasn’t pouring; it was a light rain, as if the sky and the land had an unspoken agreement to care for each other.
That moment in July—my favorite month of the year—was bliss. My body reveled in the hot spring, and I tipped my head back, enjoying each drop of rain that found its way to me. I closed my eyes and listened to the rain hitting the leaves, the trees rustling in the wind, the birds conversing, and nature’s version of silence.
That was peace. It was a moment when I wasn’t consumed by the expectations of a life I am meant to create or the stability of an adult relationship with adult responsibilities. I felt safe—in mind, body, and spirit. Nature has a way of providing that for me, whether it’s in a rainforest, the ocean, or a sunny 80-degree day with a light breeze. Nature follows its own schedule, regardless of what may be happening in my life, and I find that steadfastness comforting. I can always retreat back into nature and know that it will never rely on me the way I can always rely on it. That is peace.
And Freedom?
To me, freedom is the contentment of not having a plan—of not being tied to the expectations of others or even myself. It’s about being in a state of simply doing and being, and realizing that it’s enough. The last time I felt that way was in Madrid. I can’t remember exactly what month it was, but I will never forget that feeling.
The night was clear and crisp. 1 AM on a Saturday in Madrid looks like 9 PM on a Friday in any other city. The streets were alive, buzzing with people making their way to the next club. We were craving adventure. Although we all had impressive majors and accolades, we left all of that behind that night.
We sped around the city on scooters, doing tricks and going too fast. We took in the views without maps or cares, heading wherever we wanted and doing whatever we pleased. I’m not sure if it was the freedom I felt in the wind or the comfort of a city that no longer felt new, but my chest opened up. I took the breath that I felt my body had been waiting for the last 20 years. That was peak happiness. I found peak happiness in a foreign country, surrounded by people speaking a foreign language, on an 8-euro scooter ride at 1 AM in Madrid, Spain.
And now I’m here—10 AM on a Sunday in Johnson City, Texas. I work in sales and have a beautiful partner. University is over and gone. I would be remiss to say I didn’t get everything I asked for. It’s different now, and while I am grateful, I’ve forgotten how deeply I can feel. Everything feels surface-level, and I’m not sure how to break through that fourth wall. I’m okay with my life, but am I the happiest I could be?
I want to put this into perspective. I ask you to recall these moments not to live in the past, but to remind yourself how deeply you can feel and how connected you can be—not only to yourself but to the world around you.
I am in search of deeper meaning, and I wish this blog could provide answers for those seeking the same. While I don’t have that answer, I do have a perspective. I read a quote that resonated with me on levels I can’t fully describe and I hope it resonates with you too. It said:
“If you don’t know what to pursue in life right now, pursue yourself.
Pursue becoming the healthiest, happiest, most healed, most present, most confident version of yourself.
Then the right path will reveal itself.” – unknown
My message to you, the reader, is to create more meaningful moments in your everyday life. Really enjoy that first sip of coffee. Breathe in the air deeply. Revel in conversations with friends or loved ones. Be grateful and present. Find alignment in your mind, body, and spirit, and your path will not only reveal itself to you, but you will also be ready to walk down it once it does.