Janelle Esker Simple Pleasures are an important part of life! They usually don’t cost a thing…
When we start doing without these pleasures in our lives, the quality of our life diminishes, our health declines, and before we know it we are going up a slippery slope. For me, when my schedule starts to pick up, it is the simple pleasures in my life that I lose first.
I wonder, why I do that?
In hindsight, I wish I could undo those busy, overwhelming days of old when the urgent ruled my life and my self-care was nonexistent. It was my skewed perceptions about myself and life that made me choose chaos over peace. Self-preservation over honesty and preoccupation with the present.
The truth is, it’s the little things that mean the most. Simple pleasures are a necessity of a life well-lived. I have coined the phrase Christ-Centered Slow Living and I think that this idea is demonstrated in celebrating the simple pleasures that gently enter into our lives. We just have to slow down to notice them.
Simple Pleasures
For me, a simple pleasure is to go on my back porch and sit with a cup of coffee with real cream in it. I love to sip the coffee and watch the chickens interact with each other in the coop. I call them “the ladies” and they have an incredible amount to say. My son says that when girls get together we sound like a bunch of chickens! Maybe that is why I enjoy poultry so much. “The ladies” crack me up laughing and I find my mind relaxing and gently swaying towards thankfulness to God for the many simple pleasures he has bestowed on me.
Another simple pleasure for me is to take a daily walk around the yard and look at all the flowers in bloom. It relaxes me and once again my mind is moved toward thankfulness.
Some others include laying around on the couches with the kids talking and laughing or having all the kids with me on my bed. Now that I have 4 adult children and two teenagers. It can get a little crowded but I would not trade those times of laughter for anything in the world!
Why are we willing to give up simple pleasures for things of obviously lesser importance and value?
Today’s challenge is to intentionally make the time for simple pleasure. Let’s pray that our lives will be a reflection of the things we hold dear.
YOUR TURN…
What are your simple pleasures?
Blessings,
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This site is really great!
Thank you so much, Leslie, I am so glad you are here!