In pusuit of pleasure
June 26th 2009 03:30
It is possible that I indulge myself a little more than I should. When I look at all of the things that I do on a day to day basis, I suppose it would be fair to say that the largest percentage of them are designed to bring me pleasure. Whether it is intellectual fulfillment or hedonistic self gratification, I find great inspiration in the words of Voltaire, "Pleasure is the object, duty and the goal of all rational creatures."
Simple pleasures are often the most rewarding. I take deep pleasure in a bubble bath. I like to spoil myself with an overflowing bath complete with music, candles, and hot tea. Can you think of anything more delicious? Don't answer that! But a yummy bath is right up there with my all time favorite ways to unwind and indulge. I can soak in a bath for hours, using my toes to turn the knob and let more hot water trickle in if the water begins to get cold. For best results, turn off the lights, get some soothing aromatherapy candles, and listen to some jazz music.
"Simple pleasures are always the last refuge of the complex." Oscar Wilde
Taking a drive in the country can be a blissful act of self fulfillment. I did this just this morning at about 6:00 am. I couldn't sleep, so I put on my most comfortable clothes, left my shoes at home, and got in the car. I headed out on the open road, and drove for miles, just enjoying the new day. Early morning is a beautiful time to just appreciate nature. I may complain about where I live, but we do have some things that are just breathtaking.
It takes me exactly 5 minutes to get outside the city, and immerse myself in rolling prairie and endless fields. This morning I saw two bald eagles perched on a fence post as I drove. I saw hawks and falcons. I saw deer grazing. I saw farmers walking with their dogs. My window was cranked all the way down, and I stuck my left hand out the window, letting the cool morning breeze pound against my hand. At one point, I pulled over, got out of my car, and just sat on the hood, admiring the vast grass fields all around me. Then I just closed my eyes and listened to the birds and the wind. It was magical.
"Pleasure's a sin, and sometimes sin's a pleasure." Lord Byron
Writing gives me unending pleasure. I can find myself wrapped up in writing for a whole day without realizing that a moment has passed. This isn't just blogging. Working on my novel has been like submitting to that inner voice that tells you stories that beg to be shared. Do you know what I mean? My whole life, I've created stories in my mind. I can see something that pleases me, or troubles me, or excites me... and instantly formulate a story around it. Perhaps this is simply day dreaming or fantasizing, but writing it down with the intent to share the results is the height of self indulgence, as it requires a measure of certainty that someone else would be fulfilled by reading it, which perhaps is an exercise in self love, in a way.
To value ones own insights and creative instincts to the point that you want to share them.... whatever it means, it gives me such joy. Beyond the desire to share, the sense of accomplishment that comes along with writing a heartbreaking fight, an emotionally charged sex scene, a mournful death, or a piece of amusing dialogue....if you can read it back to yourself and become convinced that these are moments in the life of a real person.... this is exhilaration.
"I am pretty sure that, if you will be quite honest, you will admit that a good rousing sneeze, one that tears open your collar and throws your hair into your eyes, is really one of life's sensational pleasures." Robert Benchley
Some of the greatest moments in life are spent in fits of laughter. I love to be amused. I love being entertained with silly, stupid, or sarcastic humor. I am a fortunate soul who is capable of cracking myself up, even if no one else is laughing, so I'm always in stitches.
Life is funny. All of the moments of pain and sorrow and confusion and heartache...there is some golden comedy in there that begs to be released. Something that I'll often be caught saying is, "Lighten up, buttercup!" There is amusement and silliness all around us!
“That pleasure which is at once the most pure, the most elevating and the most intense, is derived, I maintain, from the contemplation of the beautiful.” Edgar Allen Poe
Whether staring at art, listening to a violin revealing its soul, or gazing at a gently flowing river... I allow myself to be given over to the rapture of life. Moments of sadness creep in. Moments of self doubt rear their ugly head.... but recapturing that feeling of abandon that comes from the appreciation of the beauty that is all around us is the quickest way to pull yourself out of the muck. Surrender to it. Give yourself over to those moments that make life worth living.
I've shared my pleasures with you...well, the ones that are legal and appropriate to post
and I feel that even this was an exercise in self fulfillment. There are many other things that give me pleasure, of course. These have been a few. I leave you with this....
“As I bit into the nectarine, it had a crisp juiciness about it that was very pleasurable - until I realized it wasn't a nectarine at all, but A HUMAN HEAD!”
Jack Handy
Simple pleasures are often the most rewarding. I take deep pleasure in a bubble bath. I like to spoil myself with an overflowing bath complete with music, candles, and hot tea. Can you think of anything more delicious? Don't answer that! But a yummy bath is right up there with my all time favorite ways to unwind and indulge. I can soak in a bath for hours, using my toes to turn the knob and let more hot water trickle in if the water begins to get cold. For best results, turn off the lights, get some soothing aromatherapy candles, and listen to some jazz music.
"Simple pleasures are always the last refuge of the complex." Oscar Wilde
Taking a drive in the country can be a blissful act of self fulfillment. I did this just this morning at about 6:00 am. I couldn't sleep, so I put on my most comfortable clothes, left my shoes at home, and got in the car. I headed out on the open road, and drove for miles, just enjoying the new day. Early morning is a beautiful time to just appreciate nature. I may complain about where I live, but we do have some things that are just breathtaking.
It takes me exactly 5 minutes to get outside the city, and immerse myself in rolling prairie and endless fields. This morning I saw two bald eagles perched on a fence post as I drove. I saw hawks and falcons. I saw deer grazing. I saw farmers walking with their dogs. My window was cranked all the way down, and I stuck my left hand out the window, letting the cool morning breeze pound against my hand. At one point, I pulled over, got out of my car, and just sat on the hood, admiring the vast grass fields all around me. Then I just closed my eyes and listened to the birds and the wind. It was magical.
"Pleasure's a sin, and sometimes sin's a pleasure." Lord Byron
Writing gives me unending pleasure. I can find myself wrapped up in writing for a whole day without realizing that a moment has passed. This isn't just blogging. Working on my novel has been like submitting to that inner voice that tells you stories that beg to be shared. Do you know what I mean? My whole life, I've created stories in my mind. I can see something that pleases me, or troubles me, or excites me... and instantly formulate a story around it. Perhaps this is simply day dreaming or fantasizing, but writing it down with the intent to share the results is the height of self indulgence, as it requires a measure of certainty that someone else would be fulfilled by reading it, which perhaps is an exercise in self love, in a way.
To value ones own insights and creative instincts to the point that you want to share them.... whatever it means, it gives me such joy. Beyond the desire to share, the sense of accomplishment that comes along with writing a heartbreaking fight, an emotionally charged sex scene, a mournful death, or a piece of amusing dialogue....if you can read it back to yourself and become convinced that these are moments in the life of a real person.... this is exhilaration.
"I am pretty sure that, if you will be quite honest, you will admit that a good rousing sneeze, one that tears open your collar and throws your hair into your eyes, is really one of life's sensational pleasures." Robert Benchley
Some of the greatest moments in life are spent in fits of laughter. I love to be amused. I love being entertained with silly, stupid, or sarcastic humor. I am a fortunate soul who is capable of cracking myself up, even if no one else is laughing, so I'm always in stitches.
Life is funny. All of the moments of pain and sorrow and confusion and heartache...there is some golden comedy in there that begs to be released. Something that I'll often be caught saying is, "Lighten up, buttercup!" There is amusement and silliness all around us!
“That pleasure which is at once the most pure, the most elevating and the most intense, is derived, I maintain, from the contemplation of the beautiful.” Edgar Allen Poe
Whether staring at art, listening to a violin revealing its soul, or gazing at a gently flowing river... I allow myself to be given over to the rapture of life. Moments of sadness creep in. Moments of self doubt rear their ugly head.... but recapturing that feeling of abandon that comes from the appreciation of the beauty that is all around us is the quickest way to pull yourself out of the muck. Surrender to it. Give yourself over to those moments that make life worth living.
I've shared my pleasures with you...well, the ones that are legal and appropriate to post
and I feel that even this was an exercise in self fulfillment. There are many other things that give me pleasure, of course. These have been a few. I leave you with this....“As I bit into the nectarine, it had a crisp juiciness about it that was very pleasurable - until I realized it wasn't a nectarine at all, but A HUMAN HEAD!”
Jack Handy
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Comment by Tahnee
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
That last image really illustrates all that you've mentioned well. Love it!
Comment by Anonymous
Drive in the country, blissful.
Pleasure, indulgence, sensations of pure joy, yup, that's for me. You got it pegged, again.
Janice
Comment by Natalina
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Morgan, Oscar Wilde was a man who pursued pleasure and gave it equally. Here's another favorite Wilde quote on pleasure:
“An inordinate passion for pleasure is the secret of remaining young.”
Lara, I agree. That image is just perfect. I saw a hummingbird in my grandfather's garden after he died. It was the first I'd ever seen up close. It was incredible.
Janice, thank you. A whirlpool...ahhh...If only I could be so lucky to have one in my home. Don't know if I'd ever leave. Maybe a good thing that I don't.