Everyone has a different eye when it comes to the beauty of the landscape.

I have friends who regularly post photos on Facebook of open prairies which they see as beauty.  Others share the beauty they see in the mountains, while others only see beauty standing on the beach looking over the ocean.  Some see beauty in forests and others find beauty sitting on the side of a lake.  I know many who find beauty in a city landscape with buildings towering toward the sky.

All of these and more have beauty in their own way, but each of us has a preference.

Hubby and I have often talked about the perfect place for us.  A place where we see beauty in our surroundings.  The place that gives us a deep feeling of peace.  A feeling a tranquility.

Having grown up in Central IL, I have seen beauty in a sunrise or a sunset over the golden fields in the fall.  I’ve been taken aback by the beauty of a freshly fallen snow, especially when the snow begins to sparkle on a bright sunny day.

My eye sees that beauty, but never in a way that gives me that deep feeling of peace as I gaze over the landscape.

We’ve lived in the Dallas area for almost two years now and have visited many times previous to our move.  I can honestly say that I see no beauty in the massive sea of cars on the toll ways, but I do see beauty coming over a hill and seeing the Dallas skyline shining brightly in the sun.

Yet, there is no deep feeling of peace in that view for me.

I’ve seen beauty sitting by a lake and there is a little sense of peace, but not the deep feeling of peace I desire.

I definitely feel a deeper sense of peace when driving toward the mountains.  My eyes drawn toward their majesty as they reach high into the clouds.  Snow covered mountains are even better.

The best for me though are the Buttes as I’ve driven thru New Mexico.

Although I think amazement instead of peace is a much better description of how I feel when I see them.  I feel joy when I see them and disappointment when the disappear in my rearview mirror.

For me though, the deepest sense of peace and calm I feel has and will always be the ocean.  The sound, the smells and feel of the ocean breeze takes me to a place of calm that I don’t feel otherwise.  It seems to do that for Lili as well.

To be even more specific, the Caribbean puts me the most at peace.

It doesn’t matter if I’m sitting on the beach, sitting on the balcony of a cruise ship, or snorkeling, the blue water of the Caribbean puts me in a state of peacefulness that I can’t explain.

There are many places that I haven’t visited in the world, so it’s possible that there is another landscape that would bring me the same or better sense of peace, but right now, the Caribbean is the place for me.

Hubby and I have been discussing cancelling our next cruise and vacationing elsewhere.  I must admit, it’s a little difficult for me to imagine giving up my yearly trip to the Caribbean though.

Maybe one day I’ll find myself living in a place where a daily visit to those aqua blue waters is possible.  Although unlikely, a girl can dream of that place of peace in her life.

What about you?  What landscape pulls you into that deep sense of peace and calm?