Thank goodness for the simple pleasures in life
Posted on 21st September 2022 at 08:00
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…
So why is it that simple pleasures really seem to hit the spot?
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 often be “stretched” to last as long as we want.
Perhaps, it’s down to their spontaneity. They can arrive at any time or be done on impulse. Easily fitted into the busiest day – or tightest schedule.
May be 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 couple of years, we’ve noticed how important they’ve become to us.
It’s interesting how often the simple pleasures in life come up when we talk to Clients about what makes them happy.
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. A freshly laundered bed. Time with their four legged friend. And we’re sure there are lots of others you could add to your list!
And that’s without some 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 become much more popular in the last few years.
Perhaps it’s waiting for the kettle to boil, giving us the excuse to zone out and look out of the window. Or giving the tea 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…
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 few want to do without.
So, this week, let’s celebrate our own particular 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 author
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