“Simple Pleasures”

What are some of your “simple” life’s pleasures?

It’s Saturday morning, 8:50am. My body woke up at 7:51am this morning. My alarm was set for 9:35am. That was a “just in case” alarm. I went to bed around midnight last night. I typically do not sleep in past 8am most days. I set that alarm because that’s the latest I can get up in order to have time to get ready for my first obligation of the day.

My weekends are usually jam packed with obligation after obligation, event after event, and outing after outing. But about two weeks ago I told myself I am going to keep my weekend schedule clear and I’m going to practice my “No” even though there’s nothing on my calendar.

Some benefits to daily rest and relaxation:

• reduced stress and anxiety
• improved mood
• decreased blood pressure
• chronic pain relief
• improved immune health
• stronger cardiovascular system

Integris Health

Last weekend was stellar! I didn’t have anything on my calendar and I was able to run errands like getting a haircut and picking up groceries; I was able to file my taxes lol; I was able to do laundry and wash the dishes; I was able to bathe my dog; I was able to read my book; I was able to write a blog post; I was able to do whatever I wanted to do (or not do)!

Those moments are my simple pleasures. Being able to move throughout my day without a real agenda. Not tied to a clock. Not married to the calendar. Being able to do whatever it is I want to do or on the flip side to do just NOTHING. It can be exhausting trying to fill up every hour of my day with something. I realized I do that often but I’m working on that because I want to reap the benefits of REST.

Physical rest. Spiritual rest. Mental rest. Emotional rest. Intellectual rest. All of the rests!

Laying here for over an hour not feeling rushed to have to get up is another one of life’s simple pleasures. I guess if I set my alarm earlier in the day that could allot me the time to lay around. But that doesn’t result in the same feeling. The joy comes from allowing my body to tell me when it wanted to wake up. I allowed my mind to turn on when it was ready. I can lay here with my thoughts, talk to God, daydream, whatever! It feels so good! 😊

Do you have any simple pleasures?

I want to incorporate more “soft mornings” and “go with the flow days” into my life. And I’m not going to feel guilty about that!

I do a lot daily. I serve a lot of organizations. I spend time with a lot of different colleagues and friends. I have a lot of daily obligations. I also can’t forget that I have a lot of ME to love and care for too.

Here’s to doing what you want to do today! #HappySaturday ✨

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.“ Psalms‬ ‭62‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Moni Jay, Off the Record