Simple pleasures

Friday, Oct. 30, 2015

Life has been so hectic lately that I skitter from place to place with scarcely a moment to draw a breath. My daily reflections, however, have been full of reminders to “live in the moment,” so this week I have paused to savor a few simple, everyday events:

The last five minutes in bed before the alarm goes off in the morning are, I think, my favorite time of the entire day. My entire world is still and silent, I am warm and cozy, and although I am awake I have not yet begun to think about anything except how comfortable I am. It is the only time of day when I am completely relaxed, physically and mentally.

The first sip of my morning cup of tea contains a whole host of pleasurable sensations, from the warmth of the cup cradled in my palms  to the aroma of whichever herbal blend I’ve chosen to the taste of the liquid on my tongue. The remainder of the cup never seems as flavorful as that first sip.

Watching the sunrise is like viewing a piece of performance art as I drive into work this time of year. Every morning it’s a different spectacle, each as perfect a masterpiece as the next. This morning dark clouds ringed the Wasatch Mountains, although the remainder of the sky was a clear white that gradually darkened to blue even as the clouds lightened. As I sped along the freeway, one thin wisp floating above Lone Peak turned from black to silver, while others grew a rosy rim, their centers gradually becoming snowy white.

Going for a walk is a nice breather. I’m trying to get into the habit of leaving the desk at least once during the day for a five- or 10- or 15-minute walk. There’s always something new to see: the last of the fall flowers in bloom, homes decorated for Halloween, or, my favorite so far, a little kid playing in a pile of leaves.

Taking time to savoring the food I eat is more enjoyable than my typical habit of eating breakfast while getting ready for work, having lunch in front of the computer screen, and dining while reading the paper or a book. 

I would like to add prayer to this list, but if I am honest I have to say that most of the time it’s a struggle, not only to set aside the time but to feel as though I’m in God’s presence. 

Too frequently my mind dwells not with God but on everyday life. On other occasions, I feel only how far I am from God.  There are instances when I catch myself merely complaining, or gossiping, or falling asleep. It is the rare graced moment indeed when I feel in God’s presence, and recently I’ve not felt it at all.  

On Sunday I tried very hard to concentrate on the liturgy, but every five minutes I’d catch myself thinking of everything except God. I stayed on my knees after Mass ended, but still couldn’t concentrate. All I could think to do was repeat the cry of Bartimaeus in the Gospel, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!” 

And just now I realized that he has shown me his mercy. As I look out the window, silver spider webs are glistening as the sun highlights the green and gold leaves of the trees. I may not be able to feel God’s presence at the moment, but he has opened my eyes to see him through the simple pleasures he has created on this earth.