The New Hedonism

June 27, 2013

June 27, 2013

“How we enjoy ourselves affects our health…How much pleasure we allow ourselves daily determines how fulfilled we are throughout our lifetime. Think of the pleasure zone not as a place but a process. It’s an active way of focusing your attention that centers you in the present moment, releases enormous stores of vitality and optimism, and makes whatever you’re doing considerably more enjoyable.”

~ The Pleasure Zone by Stella Resnick

Our culture thinks of pleasure as hedonistic, frivolous, indulgent and luxurious.

It ignores the fact that when we pay attention to our pleasure in our everyday life we feel an aliveness, a vitality that translates into feeling fulfilled and sated.

When we focus on what gives us pleasure, we are brought into the present moment and we make that moment matter.

When we choose this day after day it contributes to a more fulfilled and satisfying life with better, deeper relationships.

Our culture teaches us that pleasure does not matter.

Instead performing perfection has become the barometer of success.

In essence, looking good is what matters, not feeling good.

Our unhappiness can be fixed by buying excessive stuff.

When we shift from paying attention to external markers of our success to internal signals of joy we are better able to navigate the world authentically and gain more profound satisfaction.

“Pleasure is the visceral, body felt experience of well-being – it’s the embodiment of happiness.” (P23)

The pleasure I speak of is a holistic pleasure.

The sort of pleasure that will make you feel good in the totality of life.

It is the difference between savoring a delicious spoonful of ice cream rather than mindlessly devouring the entire pint even though it feels good in the moment.

Your sugar hangover the next morning will counter the pleasure you may have felt while eating.

It is not the pleasure of having an affair, where the momentary thrill may be intense and riveting, but the emotional after effects are exhausting, depleting and probably harmful.

It is not the Las Vegas version of pleasure, where nothing is remembered or spoken of but rather the watching of a sunset with a loved one.

A wholesome pleasure, if you will.

People who are filled up with this wholesome, holistic pleasure can contribute more to others joyfully, as creativity and kindness flow in this state.

Love can be felt more strongly between people and joy can be found coursing through bodies.

People who are happy and more fulfilled have more to give, and enjoy life more while doing so.

Fact.

Could you let yourself feel a little bit more pleasure this week?

What are your “indulgent” pleasures that actually would not be hard to add into your days if you just chose to prioritize your pleasure as valuable?

For me taking a candlelit bath with gorgeous music on, a few drops of essential oils, clay and epsom salts for 30 minutes makes me feel like I went to the spa for a $300 service, when it costs less than a dollar at home and absolutely makes me a better human and doesn’t take much time.

Why not do it?  

If you think of pleasure in this wholesome way, does it feel easier to embrace and prioritize?

Wishing you so very much wholesome pleasure this week!

Charlotte Mia Rose

March 12, 2013

March 12, 2013