Friday 18 September 2015

The Prompt - My Happy Place...

The young man taking the Mindfulness class tells us to imagine a happy place. To imagine ourselves in a special, happy place; somewhere we feel relaxed and content.

In an instant I'm there. In my happy place. It is evening, dark with the curtains drawn. There is the hint of wind and rain behind the curtains but that could be a trick of my imagination.

In the kitchen the dishwasher hums gently as it cleans away the remains of a splendid supper. Warm yellow light pools around the room from side lamps, illuminating an ornament, a picture, some books. On a side table are a plate of chocolate biscuits (Hobnobs for preference), a mug of hot chocolate (cream whipped to a froth on top) and a book (embossed leather cover, gold lettering).

I am wearing cosy pyjamas, a snuggly sweater and fluffy slippers. Curled up next to me is a cat - sometimes black, sometimes marmalade, usually fluffy and grey. I stroke his belly and he rewards me with deep, throaty purrs. I slowly sip my chocolate, nibble a biscuit and sink deeper into my chair.

There is a fire - not roaring, gently crackling and glowing. The warmth makes me and the cat sleepy so I put my book down, close my eyes and surrender to the warmth and cosiness.

Somewhere in the distance I can hear voices. My boys are chatting in another room, sorting out some tech problem, putting the world to rights over a motherboard. Soon they will come into the room and change the atmosphere - the cat will jump off the chair to greet them, they will steal a biscuit and turn the main light on. So I must treasure this brief moment of tranquillity and hold it within my imagination ready to appear again when it is needed.

If the Mindfulness bloke is speaking I don't hear him. I am in my happy place, relaxed and content and in no hurry to leave. I can conjure it up at will, to escape from the world and indulge in this part fantasy, part fact confection. My special happy place.  

8 comments:

  1. Oh, I like the sound of your happy place. A real fire and a good book is just perfect. I'll replace the hot chocolate with a mug of good, strong tea, and I'll join you :) You have really drawn me into your moment here, I can really imagine being there, such an evocative piece. Thank you so much for sharing with #ThePrompt x

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    1. Thank you for the lovely comment, Sara. Glad I managed to conjure up a vivid picture.

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  2. This sounds like a wonderful happy place Johanne!
    A wonderfully written post. x #ThePrompt

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    1. Thanks Tracy, I hope it's a happy place. It certainly makes me happy to think of it.

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  3. Oh can I join you in your happy place - I promise I won't make a sound but I may take a Hob Nob!
    You paint such a vivid picture, so beautifully. I can see why you'll want to stay there. Alone!
    #ThePrompt

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    1. Pull up a chair, Tracey, and help yourself to a Hob Nob. I'm glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the kind words about my writing - I'm secretly blushing!

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  4. A fantastic happy place. A wonderfully written post, I was right there with you enjoying the calm & hobnobs

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to comment Becky. I'm glad you enjoyed it, it was certainly a lovely piece to write - so many lovely memories of calm, thoughtful times (and Hob Nobs!)

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