Reviving Pleasure

We have all heard the statistics. Something like 1 in every 4 people reports that they have or are currently experiencing stress.

It is not my intention to make this piece about the potential causes and solutions for stress, but rather highlight one of the key things that tends to be missing from the lives of most.

Everyone claims to want the same thing. The elusive and often sought after “me time” and “freedom”.

Pleasure can mean many things, it depends on who you are asking and what pleasure means to them, but overall, I think that most would agree that pleasure is something that is accompanied by contentment, calmness, enjoyment, and happiness.

For the most part, if asked, everyone could make a list of at least a few things that they enjoy doing and that make them happy. The tricky thing is, getting people to do what it takes to fully enjoy those things.

Everyone likes to have fun. Whatever that fun may be. The thing is, most people can’t ever relax enough or take a big enough step back from everyday life to actually feel and enjoy pleasure.

It is in my opinion that as a society we are too attached to consequences, good or bad. Consequences that come from a decision made at work. Consequences that may result from the making or breaking of a relationship with someone in your life. Even consequences that may come from someone disagreeing with something you do. Everything has consequences and as humans we are outcome driven. That isn’t a secret. Do good, get good. Do bad, get bad. We are raised knowing that everything we do is going to result in something.

I am not saying that as a society we need to totally abandon the concept of consequences, but we do need to learn when to say enough is enough and just enjoy the ride.

We are constantly judging ourselves, judging others and being judged by others, and so much so that it often interferes with our ability to fully let go and embrace ourselves.

Our capability to succumb to and embrace pleasure is at times completely absent.

Pleasure does not and should not have to be an elusive thing.

Make a list of what makes you happy. Make a list of what doesn’t make you happy. Take a moment (or as long as it takes) to figure out what it is going to take to make those things happen and do it. I know that more often than not that is easier said than done.

Pleasure can be the antidote to stress if we let it. A few hours, heck even a few minutes of truly being happy and focusing on the good that is in front of us can work wonders and put the mind and life in a better position.