Permission to Enjoy Small Pleasures

Can you enjoy small pleasures? Or, have you become so accustomed to them that only bigger and bigger enjoyments do the trick?

According to Dr. Christoper Peterson’s observations on a study from 2010 inPsychological Science, when people habituate to smaller pleasures they enjoy them less. “And it means that their quest for the good life will be ongoing and ultimately frustrating.”

So, how can you nurture gratitude for the small stuff?  Basically, the answer is to regain perspective and exercise intentional thoughts of thanks.  For instance:

• Can you remember how appreciative you were for a job with a flexible lunch hour?
• Do you recall how elated you were to own a home with a fireplace?
• How thankful were you to be able to finally afford a good vacation?

As you take yourself back to these or similar such moments, you stoke the fires of appreciation.  Often, you may regain a sense of perspective in relation to the life experience of other people.

Intentionally grateful thoughts may allow you to savor the chocolate, be present on your day off, or breathe deeply on your back porch. Give yourself permission to enjoy small pleasures.

Worth Repeating

I’d like to live as a poor man with lots of money.

-Pablo Picasso