Simple Pleasures

[Greg44]

For the first time in years - on my day off (and on a few vacation days) - I have allowed myself to
sleep in. Just get up whenever I feel like it.

Normally I get up around 5am ± I still wake up then, usually go get the paper, read the headlines -
then go back to bed until whenever I get up, usually around 8:30ish.

I know this may sound usual, but it seems like there is always something that needs to be done,
places to go, things to do... I told my DW how much of a luxury it is, hard to describe - but I am
really liking it. At first it was hard to do, I would just lay there and think of what all needs to be
done, now I just roll over and go back to sleep. Awww so nice. Nothing better than the go back
to bed sleep. I also find I dream much more during this time.

What are your simple pleasures?

[Rogar]

I worked shifts for a few years and in the day a good night sleep might have compared to jumping into a cool stream on a hot summer day. I still appreciate a night of restful sleep and good dreams. High on my list of simple pleasures these days is a gentle walk in the woods. I get into other more vigorous exercise, but an even walking pace without the distraction of excursion has a meditative quality all of it's own. Some people I see out walking or hiking seem bent on a mission of fitness or maybe completion, and miss the surroundings of the season or weather or birds singing. I'm a big advocate of outdoor exercise for good mental health and it's all good, but a quite walk away from the city is even at the top of that list. That and a restful night of sleep can make up for a lot of life's struggles.

[Selah]

Sleep is my drug of choice! There is something so utterly restorative about it--I feel as if my mind, body, and spirit is being healed all at once. And an hour or two of quiet puttering around the house is my form of walking meditation--so satisfying and regenerative. I always feel more hopeful after just having some time to breathe and put my teeny tiny speck of the universe apportioned to me in order.

[rosarugosa]

I totally agree about the walk in the woods, especially on those rare occasions when I have no real time limit. I always feel bad for the people who are power walking through while they're talking on their phones. It seems like they could be anyway for all that they are missing of the experience the woods has to offer.
After I stopped smoking (5 year anniversary coming up!) was when I learned to love luxuriating in bed for a bit without that feeling of "gotta get up for a smoke." Perhaps perversely, what I love even more than sleeping in is getting up at my usual 4:11 AM on a day off and having so much more time for me!

[Teacher Terry]

The first thing I did upon retiring was not set the alarm clock. So freeing! I try not to make early am appointments now.