Explore your way to happiness

Do you know all the beauty spots in your town or city?

I have heard people say many times that although they have lived somewhere for many years they have never actually explored outside their own world.  We visit the places we need to go and never think about exploring our surroundings.  We take our own cities for granted.  It only seems we start to really explore our surroundings when someone comes to visit and we’re looking for something to do.  I bet young moms trying to keep their kids busy during summer vacations could tell you one or two museums or parks you knew nothing about.

Go on a voyage of discovery

Our home cities are often full of attractions to entice people to come and visit.  Many places have a tourist information shop somewhere to help tourists find the best and most beautiful places to visit.  But as residents of that city do we go and visit them? I expect there’s at least one museum or historical building your town that you don’t know about.

I have recently found a little theater in my little city (Littleton, Colorado) that shows some really good plays and music.  I was out walking on the main street and shopping when I saw the front of the theater hidden down a side road.  Imagine my delight when I realized that it was there!  I then spend a very pleasant afternoon going through what this little gem has to offer and found a good few nights out for the future.

Where’s your history?

Many places have an historical figure that you could probably find loads of information about on the Internet.  Have a look, there may be someone you would find really interesting, and could give you a trip out for a day.  Quite a few of us love learning about the past and exploring how the town was founded and what wonderful discoveries have been made. Maybe there are a few ghost stories lurking in your city, which could lead you to a late night ghost walk and tour.

Try a treasure hunt.

A friend of mine recently found a site that allows you to follow a treasure hunt round your own city, getting you to find lots of historical facts around your city and pointing out the architecture as well as the history.  They can be made for children or adults and could quite happily fill up a day if you plan a lunch break in there as you wander around.  Take a picnic and sit in the park. Maybe you have a national park nearby that you could go and visit, treat yourself to a tour and discover some interesting facts about the state you live in.

There’s a lot of beauty in our cities and towns, we just don’t see it very often.  Pretending to be a tourist in your own back yard can open up a whole new world of possibilities right on your doorstep.  It’s easy to be happy with so much beauty and interesting things so close to us.

Happiness can always be found in your back yard if we just take the time to look and explore.  Let me know what you find.

Enjoy your happy adventure,

Debbie

P.S. Here is a cute little movie to enjoy and see how adventures life can be when exploring your happiness:  Big Shoes.