I was talking to an old friend and she asked me, “Ava, what do you do when you have a bad day?” I did not have an answer, but believed the thoughtful question was worth pursuing an answer. We were on our way to the bookstore, and while there, I found a children’s book that talked about “quiet places.” I was impressed that I needed to know what my “quiet places” were and that when I did identify them that those are my clues and resources to know what to do when I have a bad day.

My Quiet Places

1. My Bed– I love my bed. I love to sit in bed with just the lamp light on and read, meditate, and rest. This is a renewing space for me.
2. My Family– Connecting with people who know me and help me remember who I am. I can give myself permission to be loved.
3. Learning– Pursuing intellectual, emotional, and spiritual knowledge makes life feel interesting and challenging. Learning is amazingly accessible.
4. Physical Exertion- I find that to if I want to stay motivated to do physical things that I do better when I choose things that are enjoyable, things I feel like I am good at or would like to be good at.
5. My Friends- A good conversation with a good friend is a quiet place for me. Making plans and doing fun things can make a bad day feel better.
6. My Music- Making music is fun. I like developing a musical skill and learning to express my emotions and feelings through music playing. I also love listening to music. It is again very accessible thing to do on a bad day.
7. The Mountains- I feel better when I wander through the woods or sit by the water and appreciate the beauty and feel grateful for the earth. Places to explore and the adventures I can go make me have a better day.
8. Writing- Making sense of how I am feeling by writing it down is helpful and a quiet place. Learning to write is simply another mechanism for expression.
9. Art- Creating something by hand feels meaningful. First, creating it in my mind and then figuring out how to make it with my hands all the while being open to new ideas and create something beautiful.
10. Humor- Being playful, smiling, and laughing helps me have a better day. Spending time with people that bring out my playful side and not taking things too seriously are helpful for me.

I finally realized that I don’t have to be doing a very specific activity or in a particular place to be in a “quiet place.” My heart can be my constant quiet place. My heart has all of the peace available that I could ever need, but I need to make time slow down and listen to it. What are your quiet places? Close your eyes and feel into your answer. Those are your clues of what resources you have on a bad day.