What's the Best Experience You've Ever Had?

Reliving our happiest memories is one way to experience more joy now

Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash

What’s the best experience you’ve ever had? Do you have a favorite memory that makes you smile every time you think about it? If so, I hope you’ll share it in the comments.

This photo represents the best experience of my life. As you probably guessed, that experience was a concert. Not just any concert - a Bruce Springsteen concert. His concerts are legendary because there is no opening act and they always last at least three hours. It is obvious at each one that Bruce and the band are enjoying the experience every bit as much as their fans.

The best night of my life

I’ve attended many Bruce Springsteen concerts over the years, but the best night of my life was one in Oakland, California in 2007. I flew from Hawaii (where I lived then) to California to see Bruce and the E Street Band perform there on two consecutive nights. The first night, I had a seat far from the stage. I enjoyed the concert but envied the fans standing right in front of the stage.

My ticket for the second show was general admission, which meant I would be standing on the floor. The big question was whether I would be one of the relatively few fans in the roped-off area closest to the stage or among the thousands standing shoulder-to-shoulder behind them.

The number on my wristband was not remotely close to the one that was drawn in the “lottery” before the show. That meant I would have to enter after and stand behind all of the fans with numbers between that one and mine.

I wasn’t happy about that, so I lined up as if I qualified to be one of the first to enter. I bluffed my way in and got to stand so close to Bruce that I could have jumped up and touched him.

It was a magical experience I will never forget. I can’t think of anything that would bring me as much joy as that night’s concert did.

I haven’t been able to go to a Bruce concert since that one, but he and the band are currently touring. I hope to once again see them perform live in 2023.

What’s the best experience you’ve had?

I would love to hear about your favorite experience. What made it so wonderful? Was it something you planned in advance or a delightful surprise? Please describe it in the comments.