Oh joy

We all have things we want to do.

Things we know will add to the quality of our lives.

Being physically active.

Eating a balanced diet.

Nourishing our relationships.

Being in nature.

Maybe even meditating.

The thing about these activities is that they are optional.

We don’t have to do them.

Not like we have to take care of our children or earn a living.

We might do some of the optional things.

Some of the time.

We might do some of these things more than others.

And we may struggle to do some of them.

Lately, I have been thinking about the role enjoyment plays in doing the optional things.

Take physical activity.

I think to myself. I want to be more active.

And then I think, how about running? I hear running is a good way to be active.

The thing is I hate running. It conjures up memories of pounding, thudding, breathless nausea.

But swimming… I love swimming. When I think of swimming I think of cool water, the pleasure of gliding through it and the buzzy energy afterwards.

And given that I have a pool near me and I want to be physically active, it’s no surprise that I swim regularly. Because I enjoy it.

What about meditation?

I know some people try meditation and hate it.

But is there a way of engaging with meditation that’s enjoyable and works for you? Like me with physical activity and swimming.

I think there can be.

That doesn’t mean it’s not challenging at times.

But if you know how to meet those challenges then the process becomes satisfying.

So it won’t be all sunshine and rainbows. But it can feel like it’s worth doing.

And just like physical activity (or anything), it’s the doing that brings the benefits.