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Happiness is: A Day at the Beach

Updated on May 14, 2013

Happiness is: Sitting on a Dock by the Bay...

and watching a magnificent sunset.
and watching a magnificent sunset. | Source

There's a scene in the movie, The Prince of Tides, starring Nick Nolte and Barbara Streisand, in which the Nolte character is remembering a single, happy day from his traumatic, difficult childhood. In the scene his mother takes her young children to a dock and tells them that she has a special gift for them to see. The kids are very excited and keep asking her what it is and she tells them to just sit on the dock, look toward the sun and they'll see the gift arrive. They watch the South Carolina sun go down with rapt attention oohing and ah-hing over the beautiful colors streaking across the sky and when the sun finally disappears completely the youngest child, a girl, claps her hands together, tells her mom that was the best present ever and asks her to paint the sky all over again. To that little girl watching the sun go down over the water was pure magic and ecstatic happiness.

I've had my own share of sorrows and rough times but a day spent at the beach has always been joyful, no matter what challenges I was facing.

For the first 5 decades of my life, trips to the beach were treasured, special events that occurred every few years but for the past decade I've been blessed to live close to the bay and ocean and visiting the beach several times a week is one of my life's greatest pleasures.

This hub is a pictorial essay that answers the question, "According to you, what is happiness?" My answer is that happiness is spending a day at the beach and I hope these fun and beautiful photos will show you why I feel that way.

Happiness is: Hang Gliding at Jockey Ridge State Park

While your friend takes photos of your brave adventure.
While your friend takes photos of your brave adventure. | Source

When my son was little and our family was vacationing in the Outer Banks, NC, we took him to Jockey Ridge, the highest natural sand dune on the United States East Coast to watch the sun go down and I was amazed how many other people flocked to that same location all sitting on the dune and watching the sunset as if they were at a drive-in movie theatre. There was something about watching it as part of a crowd that intensified the feelings of awe and joy and I remember thinking that this is one of life's greatest pleasures and it's free. It doesn't get any better than that, does it?

But read on, there are still many other fun and happy things to do at the beach.

Happiness is: Running through a Water Fountain at the Beach

when you're a toddler.
when you're a toddler. | Source

You probably don't remember the first time you ran through a water fountain or sprinkler, but I'm willing to bet that after the initial shock of getting wet you loved it as much as the tiny tot on the left, and were fascinated by how it worked like the little guy on the right.

Happiness is: Wearing a T-Shirt...

That explains why you're giving out free hugs to everyone on the beach.
That explains why you're giving out free hugs to everyone on the beach. | Source

Happiness is: Building a Sculpture...

All by yourself.
All by yourself. | Source

Happiness is Flying Big Kites at Ocean City, MD.

Whether you're the one flying a kite, or looking up at one being flown by someone else, big bright kites like these at Ocean City, MD. are delightful to look at!
Whether you're the one flying a kite, or looking up at one being flown by someone else, big bright kites like these at Ocean City, MD. are delightful to look at! | Source

Happiness is: Waiting for the Waves...

To move your surfboard even if you're too close to the shoreline to get any real action.
To move your surfboard even if you're too close to the shoreline to get any real action. | Source

Happiness is: Doing Hand Stands on the Beach...

Even if no one else is watching.
Even if no one else is watching. | Source

Happiness is: Riding Your Bike on the Boardwalk...

Not knowing or caring that your sundress is billowing out behind you like a colorful hot air balloon.
Not knowing or caring that your sundress is billowing out behind you like a colorful hot air balloon. | Source

Happiness is: Running With Your Twin on the Beach...

And not caring which one of you can run the fastest.
And not caring which one of you can run the fastest. | Source

A Few Thoughts About Siblings on the Beach.

Sibling rivalry can be fierce during our growing up years but there's something about the beach that temporarily squelches our competitive natures and doubles our pleasure. Suddenly, we're almost overjoyed to have this special person to spend the day with. Sure we may tease them, but in the end we'll give them a great big hug as seen in the next two pictures.

Happiness is: Burying Your Brother in the Sand...

And chuckling when other people notice that you're changing "he" into a "she" by adding two strategically placed bumps on his chest.
And chuckling when other people notice that you're changing "he" into a "she" by adding two strategically placed bumps on his chest. | Source

Happiness is: Having a Sister Who Knows You're Afraid of Heights...

And trusting that she would never let you fall.
And trusting that she would never let you fall. | Source

Happiness is: Playing Paddle Ball on the Beach With Your Sister After You're all Grown up...

And still looking great in your bikinis.
And still looking great in your bikinis. | Source

A Few Thoughts About Animals on the Beach.

Most pets enjoy the beach as much as their owners do and they sometimes act just like humans while they're there.

Then there are the very strange humans who dress up as animals.

I hope you enjoy the next set of photos which illustrate the point I'm trying to make.

Happiness is: Being a Dog on the Beach...

And using your owner's lounge chair as your personal beach umbrella.
And using your owner's lounge chair as your personal beach umbrella. | Source

Happiness is: Seeing Lady Gaga on the Boardwalk...

In the Halloween Sea Witch Parade.
In the Halloween Sea Witch Parade. | Source

Happiness is: Having a Daddy Who Wears a Cow Costume...

So you won't be the only cow on the beach during the Halloween Sea Witch Parade.
So you won't be the only cow on the beach during the Halloween Sea Witch Parade. | Source

I hope you have enjoyed this pictorial essay about why I think happiness is spending a day at the beach and that you get to visit a beach someday soon.

For those of you who have never had the great pleasure of experiencing sand, surf, sun and sunsets, I hope you will consider adding a trip to the beach to your bucket list. No one should die without seeing the ocean at least once in their lifetime.

Beach Poll

Have you ever been to a beach by an ocean or bay?

See results
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