The Simple Art of Enjoyment

The simple art of Enjoyment.

One of my clients is experimenting with a new practice- the simple habit of noticing what she enjoys each day.

It's not formal in that she doesn't write it down or get hung up on cataloging it.

She simply notices it and then captures it as a moment in her mind.

Some days it's the feeling of wind on a walk to the mailbox. Others, it's taking the time to water the apple trees in the orchard or the delight of walking with her husband in the evening in the pasture.

Simple pleasures. The minutes that make up a life.

The key is that it’s an active practice of engagement. A choice to notice rather than control or contrive.

Allowing the enjoyment to be experienced- in the moment.

She's taking time to FEEL the sensations. EMBODYING the pleasure rather than thinking it.

Savoring the spaciousness that this practice adds into the day- even those days that are full of meetings and work and chores and family....AND all things that add up to a life.

The other HUGE shift was realizing that if she PURSUES these moments… they feel forced and like one more thing on a long list of tasks.

Rather than a treasure HUNT the practice is a DISCOVERY of the moment.

The choice to step fully into the experience as it unfolds.

That's when she feels the expansion, the gratitude and the connection to her heart... her spirit...to others.

Part of the magic of this practice is the variety of enjoyment that's emerging.

A vast array of delight.

She's discovering how to notice in new ways- even in her familiar surroundings.

Finding the space to be witness to the beauty that's already there has been transformative.

There's freedom, creativity, connection, movement and play.

Full engagement of mind, body, spirit without any effort at all....

When she efforts or tries too hard, the practice loses its impact.

It becomes a checklist item rather than something precious.

Beholding this enjoyment with reverence has become a practice of allowing.

Having faith that she'll discover something to enjoy each day.

Delight in noticing what it is and how it feels.

Enchantment with how much she loves what's already here.

To me, this is the best of mindfulness in real life. It's available in each breath and each moment.

What am I enjoying right now?

What can I notice in this moment that delights me?

What captivates my attention?

Playful emotions like curiosity, delight, pleasure, enchantment, joy, awe, happiness, contentment, amusement.

Those that bring a smile and lift your mood.

Those that make you gasp with surprise and gratitude and lead to tears.

Even in the muck of it all, there's something.

A little space that feels like peace or rest or the tiniest wellspring of hope.

What did I enjoy today?

It's a gentle exploration and one that can change everything.