Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Everybody has a Laughing Place

On any given day there's a 40% chance you'll find me at the Starbucks porch in Disney Springs. I'll be the one curled in the corner by the fireplace (that isn't actually hot), reading a book and sipping coffee. There's a fair chance you'll see me take out a phone and snap a picture that looks very similar the one in this post.


I've posted a near identical photo on Instagram at least once a month. This is my happy place, or, if we're sticking to the original theme of this blog, my laughing place.

I started visiting the waterfront area of Downtown Disney after one evening when I found myself having a very serious and difficult conversation with a friend--one that I never thought I'd have the courage to have. Writing words is one thing, but talking in person, looking into someone's eyes, not being able to plan each paragraph and argument--I'm afraid to admit I'm still no good at difficult conversations.

I visited the site of this conversation at times because it reminded me of my own inner strength... and then I started to notice more about the area. The people walking around were all so different - families, couples, friends, individuals like myself - and it seemed to be a testament to humanity just watching people interact, watching them with their purchases. I suppose you can watch this anywhere that draws large crowds, but somehow being at Disney there was so much more - you could almost guarantee that everyone there was a Disney fan - and there was beauty in knowing that through all these different people, there was one thread that tied everyone together.

So I found my place. When Starbucks opened their porch that looks over the waterfront with semi-secluded seating, I knew I was home. I could sit for hours reading in this atmosphere (and often do). And when I look out, past my book, past the fireplace, past the people and out on the waterfront, I feel an overwhelming sense of calm. Time stops and it's impossible to feel anything but happy. I wish time would stop forever and freeze in that moment, so I take a picture--every time--in hopes that one will eventually capture the perfect emotion of it all.

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