About the author: Ian Anderson is a builder turned humanitarian and most days you can find him pottering about at his blog polishing peanuts, where he’s trying to find sense in an often bewildering world.
The key to enjoying a simple pleasure is to fully appreciate what you are getting out of it. You are not wasting time; you are allowing your active brain some time off from the daily routine. Allow yourself to relax, soak up the fortunate feeling of being free to enjoy something so simple unmolested. Let your mind wander if you will, or think of nothing but the simple pleasure that you are doing.
1 A Real Fire
Sitting and relaxing in front of a real fire has to be one of the most fundamental, primitive activities known to mankind. Eons ago, most evenings would have been spent this way. It touches some ancient part of our soul to this day. Pull up a chair, feed the fire a little, sit back and allow the warmth to wash over you as you stare into the dancing flames.
2 A Favourite Drink
Make up your favourite drink and take the time to really enjoy it. Learn how to serve it properly, with good ingredients and at the right temperature to fully release all those wonderful flavours. For this author it is coffee or a red wine. Learning to appreciate good red wine, served warm, is so much more than just having a drink. Experiment with different coffees/teas/wines/etc, until you find your heavenly drink.
3 Home Made Food
Give the factories a day off. On a day when you have time, or for a special occasion, make the effort to shop for specific ingredients to make a favourite dish (or try something new!). Take the time to really select the best ingredients. Examine the tomatoes etc for perfection; enjoy the feeling of having access to all this wonderful food. Allow plenty of time to create your dish and especially allow plenty of time to eat it. Thoroughly warm the plates beforehand and eat at the table without distractions. Use your best dishware and cutlery. It’s a special occasion after all.
4 Have a Full Nights Sleep
Its well known that many of us do not get enough sleep. This can have adverse affects on out long term health. Start slowly by nominating a night each week to go to bed early enough to wake up naturally in time to get ready for work. Waking up naturally is a wonderful feeling and you may need to experiment to find out what is your optimum sleep time as it varies from 6 to 10 hours, depending upon the individual. Remember to still set your alarm though, just in case. You might be surprised by just how deep you sleep!
5 Enjoy Some Silence
This may be tricky to find in todays crowded world. Keep an eye open for suitable places as you travel around or maybe you are lucky and live somewhere quiet. Once you have found your ‘silent spot’, just sit and soak it up, letting your mind be still or go for a wander, wherever your mood takes you. Maybe combine this with some of the other simple pleasure listed here.
6 Walking on the Beach in the Wintertime
Beaches are underrated as a place to go in the wintertime, free from the crowds of the summer; you can enjoy the feeling of having the place to yourself. You can even imagine that it is your own private beach if you like. Good exercise, clean air and mental freedom all included at no extra cost.
7 Walking in a Forest in the Springtime
Springtime in the great outdoors is a magical time of year, where everything is busy getting organised for the serious business of summer, flowering and making sure that everything is set for the next generation. Walking amongst all this re-birth rejuvenates the spirit and mind. Use the time to think forward and subdue the past. Let the spring re-growth motivate you to start over with a positive attitude, starting right this moment.
8 Listen to Music
Listen to music without distraction. Listening whilst doing something else dilutes the music to mere background noise. Listening with all of your attention and senses allows you to really appreciate the lyrics and rhythm. You could try it along with some of the other simple pleasures listed here if you want to start slowly.
9 Watch the Sunrise
On your travels, keep an eye open for suitable spots that face the right way and have the right elevation to create spectacular sunrises. Then simply get up early, pack a thermos and maybe your breakfast and head on over to watch natures spectacular daily show. What a way to start the day!
10 Watch the Sunset
On your travels, keep an eye open for suitable spots that face the right way and have the right elevation to create spectacular sunsets. Then simply pack a thermos and maybe your dinner and head on over to watch natures second spectacular daily show. What a way to unwind at the end of a day!
About the author: Ian Anderson is a builder turned humanitarian and most days you can find him pottering about at his blog polishing peanuts, where he’s trying to find sense in an often bewildering world.
