The intentional activity of delight

Hey there, friends. I have a question for you: what delights you?

As I have asked myself this question I am making a point to intentionally partake in the ideas that arise. Of late, delight has included:

• wearing pajamas more of my weekend (inspired by my 9 year old)

• voraciously soaking in a young adult sci-fi trilogy

• peering into the soulful eyes of my 13 year old pug Max as I scratch under his chin to solicit snorts

• preparing for and enjoying the company of friends for a spaghetti dinner

• inquiring into the whereabouts of Santa with my son

• after-work living room impromptu dance parties

Interestingly, I find that the more I take delightful action, the more I am delighted. Seems like a no-brainer, right? But for many of us, we get so caught up in our habitual lives and in getting all of our sh*t done that we forget to delight. We don't realize how simple it can be. 

Experiencing delight involves intentional action. 

It helps me to also remember what delight feels like before, during and after. For example:

• Just thinking about plotting pajama-wearing with my son makes me feel playful, and light and bubbly within. Remembering the last pajama-wearing plot conjures up something like an inner smile, a warmth right in the center of my heart.

• When I'm absorbed in the sci-fi trilogy I get lost in my imagination, which brings about a wispy, spacious longing.

• Impromptu after-work dance parties are lively and energizing. Thinking back on my last one and remembering the expressions on the faces of my son and his friend as I flailed around, makes me chuckle out loud! A priceless moment etched in my memory.

Right now, just thinking about our plan to wear pajamas as much as humanly possible this coming weekend makes me feel a little giddy and mischievous.  SCREW YOU, STREET CLOTHES. I'm going so rogue. Ha!

I must admit, I am thoroughly enjoying this little experiment. Won't you join me? What delights you, right now?  What does it feel like? Where in your body do you feel delight?Moments of delight beget more moments of delight.

Where in your life can you intentionally add in moments of delight?  Share your delight-filled noticings here.

In delight,
Mara

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.
- Khalil Gibran