Peacefulness is a State of Mind

I know what a lot of you are probably thinking. Disneyland peaceful?! Well, I am one of the lucky ones that got to experience it at twenty-five percent capacity, without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. After a long, year-plus wait to visit the happiest place on earth, I was pretty excited, and probably had a deeper appreciation for something as simple as going to an amusement park. Disneyland is not just any amusement park, though, as I was joyfully reminded of during my visit.

As I took time to savor every. single. moment. at Disneyland (ignoring the annoying mask on my face), I started to see details that I had never noticed before. I think I just needed a new perspective, and a shift in my mindset. I noticed a lot more flowers and other plants that were specific to the theme of the ride or land. I even noticed baby ducks, including one that pecked at my sandal under my table. (Ok, that one might have been a little more obvious.) But…baby ducks! I had to include those in my photos.

Alas, Disneyland is still a magical place. Even with a smaller-than-usual crowd, the only way this place is ever going to be special is if you have a positive mindset and look for the peaceful moments. Take in the sights, sounds and smells. Instead of complaining about a long line for the Haunted Mansion, I tried to look at all of the detailed gardens and the views out over the river, back towards Matterhorn. Instead of focusing on my tired feet, I chose to enjoy the beauty of the castle all lit up at night. In other words, I discovered that the secret to having a good time at Disneyland is to have a positive mindset and focus on the beauty around me.

I hope all of you have a peaceful weekend. (But don’t all rush back to my Disneyland!) I look forward to hearing about all of your peaceful moments in the comments below.