The Great Commandments - Pleasure & Delight, Part 3

(Number 5 in a series, see numbers 1,2,3,4)


Continuing on with the definition of pleasure being the gratification of the senses and the mind, we will explore my SOUND and TASTE pleasures today.

SOUND

1. Water/Waves: The strong, rhythmic beating sound of the ocean can lull your soul into a peaceful calm. A streaming brook flowing over rocks can do the same thing. It's peaceful!
2. Music: Nothing can get your heart pumping, your body moving quite like music. From the soothing sounds of classical and jazz, to the disco and hip hop dance beats, to the country twangs, to the island sounds, and to the tribal drums; music can transport your soul. It can serve as a reminder to a past situation or person. It can make you feel light- hearted and carefree. It can make you feel strong. It can reduce you to tears. It touches our emotions and our heart. There's also the music of nature - birds chirping, grasses blowing in the wind, frogs in the marshes.
3. Giggles: I don't know about you but when my daughters giggle it is infectious. You cannot help but giggle yourself. Giggling releases stress, lightens your mood, makes you forget everything else but the relish of being in the moment. Giggles are beautiful sounds at any age!
4. Compliments: Who doesn't love to hear a compliment or a kind word from someone?
5. Tick/Tock Clocks: Some people may be annoyed by this but when a room is so quiet that the only thing you can hear is the faint sound of the clock ticking, I am completely happy. Most days I have kids running around or lots of distractions going on, but if I can slip away for a minute, just a minute, to a quiet spot, then I can regroup and re-energerize.
6. Church Bells ringing: My husband and I stayed at a bed and breakfast last year for our anniversary. We stayed in a upstairs bedroom and slept with the window open. At 7 AM sharp, we were awakened by the ringing of the church bells from the Catholic church two buildings down from our inn. We were sleeping in a large, canopy, Victorian style bed with old fashioned quilts. The combination of the bed, room, church bells, and curtains gently blowing in the breeze made for such a peaceful, pleasant transition from sleep to awake. It is a memory I think of often.

TASTE

1. Chocolate: Honestly, what woman would not put this on her list!
2. Garlic: A meal containing garlic is one made with love and I'm not even Italian!
3. Cheesecake: Need I say more?
4. Grilled Steak: Now, I wish spring were here and the grill was ready to fire up!
5. Watermelon: The refreshing cool and juiciness of watermelon on a hot summer day can't be beat!

What would be on your list? I hope you're taking the time to create one. It's been so much fun.

I have also been able to appreciate the gifts of God again. I told my husband that when creating my list, I sometimes had to go back to my childhood to find the things that bring me pleasure. I realized that many of my preferences were formed as a child and many are from nature. This made me think that we spend too much time indoors and not enough time in nature. Our kids, too, spend too much time indoors. I fear that when we are inside we only see the things man created - houses, TV programs, etc. and we are neglecting to connect our children (and ourselves) with God's creations. No wonder we are so egotistical and self absorbed people. We need to get outside, experience nature, connect nature with our creator, appreciate the gifts he has given us, and praise him for that creative, imagination that far surpasses anything man could come up with.

I love my Lord for the sounds and taste he has provided through His creation for my pleasure and serenity! He knows all our needs and provides for them all!

May you rediscover the outdoors and the pleasure and serenity it can provide to your soul and may you give thanks to the creator for meeting your needs in this way!