In an article in PREVENTION magazine, Maria Rodale gave 20 ways to enjoy all the benefits that pleasure can bring to your life. Number three on her list is to: Savor a romance novel."
Why, thank you, Ms. Rodale, I believe I will.
She writes "...reading books with happy endings is one of life's greatest pleasures." Among Maria's other tips -- play with animals, take a snooze, and watch a funny movie. Great advice, eh?
We haven't made lists for a while! Next to my readers, I love lists!
Let's list the things that give us the greatest pleasure. (Let's just consider sex a given. LOL) Can you come up with 20?
Here are mine in no particular order:
reading a wonderful book
singing
writing a great book
holding a baby
spending a day with my husband
a leisurely vacation
taking pictures
painting a room
shopping for treasures
decorating my home
growing flowers
cooking for my grandkids
seeing my children happy
a clean house
laughing with friends
a task well done
road trips
chocolate cake
the color teal
a balmy summer day
Snuggling with my cat
ReplyDeleteReading books and magazines
Eating chocolate chip cookies
Blogging with friends
Making new friends
Getting good mail
Going on vacation by myself
Meeting my Sis and pals for good Chinese food
Getting a new tattoo
Taking a nice warm shower
Going to yard sales
Learning a new language
Walking on the beach
Watching the leaves change colors and knowing it's fall
Taking medication for pain
Buying cool silver jewelry, a new purse, shoes, or jeans
Sleeping
Getting roses
Giving stuff to Goodwill or Salvation Army
Talking to my friend David in Scotland
getting an all-over body massage (or ANY pampering at a spa!)
ReplyDeletelistening to rain, a waterfall, babbling brook, or roaring river
seeing a rainbow and sunshine in the midst of storm clouds
photographing friends, family, nature, decrepit farm buildings
DISCOVERING treasures at thrift stores, church rummage sales, museum & hospital gift shops, Christian & used book stores
wearing COLORS: Purple, red, turquoise, black and COSTUMES: every day could be Halloween! The original Drama queen in jeans.
wearing GEMS: garnets, amethyst, Indian turquoise & silver, (someday rubies) and costume/vintage jewelry (she shall wear rings on her fingers & bells on her toes, no bone in her nose, or tattoos)
Finding things in common with new friends
Savoring memories with family and friends of long-standing at reunions (HS/college, work, church, sports team, service groups, neighbors)
Having someone else clean my bathroom and/or house!!
Reading a touching story with heart & a message
Watching a favorite/new comedy/romance even action movie with popcorn, candy, & pop by myself or in a group
Reading with the family while the fireplace is lit & Christmas music plays (TV is off!!)
Watching fireworks and fireflies (lightning bugs, depending on where you are from)
Reading on the garage roof with my sons by flashlight, then watching the stars & hearing the crickets & owls
Travel anywhere, eating food cooked by someone else
Washing dishes by hand in soapy bubbles, even doing laundry (Not a Total Undomestic Goddess! LOL)
Walking our white dog in the dark by moonlight or greeting the dawn thru woods or fog with him
Praying with friends and having unexpected answers, healing & miracles, even in the little things like finding lost items
(my cell phone after 18 days! He answered in 5 minutes!)
Being of service to others (not Totally Selfish)