This blog was inspired by seeing some small children enjoying themselves by sitting on a seat. I had just walked past this comfortable looking bench (outside a pizza shop), thinking it would be nice to sit down, but a sensible adult voice in my head said: “that seat is reserved for customers”. But that didn’t stop two young children taking great delight in jumping up and sitting on the attractive wooden bench. Saying to their parents, “Come and sit here!”
It reminded me that there are simple pleasures in life that children (and animals) are often more tuned into, i.e. free of reservations and hesitations, than adults. Fresh air, rolling in the grass, and running on a beach are all primal activities where we abandon our cares and concerns for a while. Just being alive and free (to play). Watch a dog or a child if you need to (re)learn these simple pleasures!
Warm sunshine
Who doesn’t like to sit in the sun, especially on a winter or spring day, when the sun’s rays warm up our bodies in the still chilly air. Cats are past masters (i.e. particularly good) at this! They don’t need to be told how to relax and chill out!🤣
Colour
For those of us lucky enough to see colours, the different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum provide a joyousness bordering on the spiritual. Painters, from Van Gogh to David Hockney, use colours to evoke moods and emotions. Spiritual experiences for the millions of us who visit art galleries.
The Old Masters also knew how to use colour to tell a story.
All of the senses provide us with opportunities to experience joy. The simple pleasure of sniffing a fragrant flower or the happiness-inducing sound of bird song. The laughing Kookaburra may be an exception? But I love hearing them too!
Sunsets
Blue and violet colours get scattered out by air and dust particles as the sun ‘sets’ and light has farther to travel through our atmosphere. This usually leaves mainly the brighter red and orange colours to fill the sunset skies and uplift our spirits.
Dancing and skipping
We all need to move and benefit hugely from simply using our muscles. Walking, running, jumping, hopping, leaping, and skipping emerge naturally as children develop. Whilst we might not be able to continue skipping as we get old, why not (!), movement releases endorphins and helps relieve stress.
Food for free
Richard Mabey’s book Food for free, first published in 1972 (and in print ever since), tapped into the deep foraging instincts of our neolithic and palaeolithic past. Nature provides for us, if we take care of it that is, and don’t over-exploit it.
Being in nature
You don’t need to teach a cow the benefits of spending time in the countryside!
Walking
Walking is, for me, one of the best simple pleasures in life.
Meditate, day-dream
Although not everyone can do it, the pleasures and benefits of cat-napping are manifest, especially in cats! Meditation calms the mind and promotes good health, but we often don’t leave space for such down-times in our busy lives.
Sleep and dreaming
Sleep is a state of reduced mental and physical activity, and altered consciousness, which most animals need to some extent. Whether you are a koala bear (which can sleep for 22 hours a day) or a giraffe (which only need a few hours shut-eye!) we all need to ‘recharge out batteries’ and dreaming is a vital part of this activity.
Eternal renewal
“Hope springs eternal in the human breast“ (Alexander Pope), and life renews itself every year in the Spring. All organisms can also renew themselves by the process, perhaps we should say the miracle, of reproduction.
Health and well-being
And finally, for many of us, just being well after a period of illness – Long Covid in my case – is a joy in itself, and one we often take for granted. Whilst remembering all those who are not so well but hopefully still able to access some of the simple joys of life that make it so special.
All photos by Raymond JC Cannon, except where stated.
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