Enjoying the simple pleasures in life
Posted on 10th June 2020 at 07:24
It’s one of life’s mysteries that, for some inexplicable reason, the simple things seem to give us the most pleasure. Often much more than their long awaited – and more expensive (!) – counterparts.
Anyone who’s watched a small child unwrapping their Christmas or Birthday presents, has encountered this first hand. With the box – or wrapping paper (!) – holding their attention for much longer than the contents. Is so much more interesting and attractive. Gives greater pleasure and is played with for a much longer period of time. The contents quickly forgotten and pushed to one side…
Why is it that simple pleasures seem to be so much better?
Perhaps, in a world of increasing complexity, it’s down to their sheer simplicity. Not requiring huge amounts of preparation, lots of people to help or thought beforehand. And no complicated equipment either…
Or, may be, they’re usually more fleeting pleasures. Although, this isn’t always the case, as they can usually be “stretched” to last as long as we want.
Perhaps, it’s down to their spontaneity. They can be done on impulse, at any time. Easily fitted into the busiest day – or tightest schedule.
Maybe it’s because they’re personal to each of us. My simple pleasures are not necessarily the same as yours. Bringing with them their own unique sights, sounds and memories.
Whichever one it is – or, perhaps, something else entirely different (!) – they remind us of what it’s like being a child again. When life was all about the simple things. Letting our imagination run riot. Everything was an adventure, to be enjoyed and savoured.
They’re also an easy way for us to take a break from our – all too busy (!) – day to day lives. Reconnect with who we really are and what makes us truly happy. And, with the strange times we’ve been living in for the last few weeks, we’ve noticed how important they’ve become to us.
Talking to people – on the phone or at a safe distance, we would hasten to add (!) – it’s interesting how many have been talking about the simple pleasures in their lives. Many of which they hadn’t thought about for a very long time...
The sound of birds. Sun on their faces. The smell of freshly cut grass. Receiving – or writing – a card or letter by snail mail. Goodness, that’s a blast from the past! The small kindnesses from a family member or, even, a stranger. Clean sheets. And we’re sure there are lots of others you could add to the list!
In all of this, we’ve noticed how many people have fallen back onto one of those strangely English simple pleasures. Or, at least, in the stereotypically English person. The comforting cup of tea, with or without a little treat (!). A biscuit, perhaps even a slice of homemade cake; with baking having made another resurgence during these strange times.
Perhaps it’s waiting for the kettle to boil, giving us the excuse to zone out and look out of the window. Or giving it time to brew, hopefully, using an equally old fashioned tea pot (!). And then the comforting feeling of the warm mug in our hands. Continuing to nurse it, long after we’ve finished drinking the contents…
Interestingly, sales of tea of all types have rocketed in recent weeks, just as sales of fizzy and other soft drinks have fallen. Perhaps, it’s a sign of the times. And, did you know there’s even a name for this trend? Quarantea. We bet you hadn’t heard that one before!
And, while we’ll always continue to extol the benefits of drinking plenty of water (!), a reassuring cup of tea – ordinary or otherwise – is a simple pleasure that seems just right for these strange times.
So, this week, let’s celebrate the simple pleasures in life. Whatever they may be. Regardless of whether they make sense to anyone else or not.
As Thomas Lloyd Qualls so eloquently said:
“The simplest things are overlooked. And yet, it is the simplest things that are the most essential.”
As always, the choice is yours.
Picture by unknown artist
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