Would you like more delight in your life? If you're like most people, your answer to that is probably, "Well, duh. Of course I would." Having an experience that delights us is liking adding happyspice to our day, and yet all too often it's not something we even give much thought.
Lucky for us, Christine Kane has given it some thought, and she shares the results over on her blog in a post on the architecture of delight.
First, what's so important about delight? Here's what Christine has to say...
Delight is a “now” word. Delight is about living in the moment - but without having to prod yourself to “be present.” Delight shifts your energy so that you become “attractive” and happy. When you are attractive and happy, then effortlessness has a way of delivering your success to you, rather than you having to “work hard” for it all the time. Also, when you are happy and when you allow delight in your life, then “working hard” isn’t so hard. In fact, it’s more fun.
Christine shares five ideas for inviting delight into your life...
1 - Create a “Here’s What I Love” List
This is an on-going list in your journal. Just write a list of a hundred things you love. If you can think of more, write them down. But write at least a hundred. From the way your dog’s ears bounce when you take her for a walk, to watching West Wing re-runs to strawberries in the summer. Call it your Master “Here’s What I Love” list. Just creating it will open your heart.
2 - Create a “Fun To-Do’s” List
This is a list to have on hand when you forget to have fun. You don’t have to come up with 100 things, but it’d be great to get at least 20 things. Be sure to include stuff you used to love when you were a kid, just in case you might try them again some time. (Don’t forget swinging on swings, jumping on trampolines, and throwing water balloons!) What is fun for you? What gets you excited? What do you love doing? Put it all down.
3 - Create a “Friends I Want to See More” List
I called my friend Beth right before Christmas and left her a message. In it, I pointed out that we had seen each other only thrice this entire year. (Though I didn’t actually say “thrice.”) Whenever Beth and I get together, we usually laugh so much, I think it boosts our immune systems for a few months! It’s so easy to let time slip by without hanging out with your most cherished friends and family. Make a list of people you love to be with - and then call them and make some plans.
4 - Consciously choose to enjoy something in your day
Let’s say you’re at work and you’re giving a presentation. Let’s say you usually despise doing this. Try shifting it. Pretend you like doing it. Look around at the people, feel the funny blips of fear in your stomach, smile to yourself and have some fun! I started doing this on stage in the past few years - and it’s really changed how I show up as a performer. To just have fun in some of those moments and realize that this is where you are right now - this can be so liberating. You might even find that you can delight in things that you never even liked before!
5 - Do things imperfectly on purpose.
Let go of perfection. I know this is a hard thing to do. But it can really add to your delight to just do something because you want to do it - not because you have to do it well.
Great advice! (And if you're not familiar with Christine's blog, head on over and spend some time with it. It's well worth reading.)
How about you? What do you do to invite delight into your life?
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by Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst
Your blog is a delight. Thank you
Posted by: Val | March 19, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Thanks Val! :-)
Posted by: Curt Rosengren | March 21, 2008 at 01:07 AM