Sometimes in my morning writing, I ask questions of “Wise Kate” – that part of me that knows more than I do at present. Today, I asked her:
“What do you believe about pleasure?”
Here’s what she said:
+That it’s as necessary as air and water to life, and more than that – to LIVING.
+That it’s freely available at all times and in all places because it’s not an item or experience outside you, but a fruitful way of being in the world.
+You can switch it on anytime.
+You deserve it. Everyone does.
+True pleasure supports you, nourishes you, strengthens you, empowers you, enlivens you. False pleasure robs you – of dignity, joy, selfhood, and vitality.
+Creativity and resourcefulness are two arts that support and enhance pleasure.
+Pleasure often, but not always, prefers slowness.
+The anticipation of pleasure is pleasure.
+The memory of pleasure is pleasure.
+The savoring and drawing out of pleasure is pleasure.
+You are well-served to set the very highest standards for yourself in pleasure. Require and expect the best from pleasure and from yourself.
+Sometimes you will need to woo yourself back to pleasure after too long without it. Sometimes you will need to gently mother yourself to select wisely when you are tired or rushing to fill a gap. Sometimes the juicy, over-the-top pleasure is healing; sometimes it throws you off-kilter. Listen closely to your heart. You will know.
+Pleasure is your birthright, your ally, a friend worth knowing intimately, and jet fuel for your dreams. It will walk with you every step of the way as you create the life that brings you fully, thrillingly ALIVE.
+Pleasure is always close at hand, beckoning:
“Come find me now!”
PS – I chose blackberries for today’s image because they represent a true pleasure for me. I buy them weekly and they make me feel like a billionaire + a Fairy Queen. Thank you to Amanda Hortiz for this luscious photograph on Unsplash.
Ahh, blackberries! Yes! Walking along a trail in Washington state, awakened me to the pleasure of these sweet, delicious gems. Not a fan of these berries in the past, I now appreciate why I might not have enjoyed: They were not ripened, glistening with flavor and invitation as these were on the trail! Gobs and gobs of them! My sweetheart and I ate and walked, stopped and filled a container for later. A true pleasure! Thank you for the spark! ❤️💕
Oh, that sounds heavenly, Cynth – what a glorious gift! You’re right, too: a truly ripe berry fresh from the bush is a very different berry from one picked too early and packed in plastic. Sounds like you’ll be enjoying the pleasure of more blackberries now after that beautiful experience!