The Webster dictionary defines delight as” something that gives great pleasure.”
How about intentionally looking for five things that give pleasure every day.
It’s like depositing money in a bank, you will be depositing into your pleasure and happiness bank.
You get to make withdrawals as you wish. Nice!!
June 3rd is Repeat Day.
I am not sure who started it but wacky holidays fascinate me. This is supposedly the day to repeat things over and over again. Why not repeat delights daily?
What are you repeating? What would you like to be repeating?
Think about how you sometimes repeat actions or behaviors that cause distress, frustration and unhappiness. Yet when asked what we would like, one frequent response is “I just want to be happy.”
You wait for the next “awesome” event, experience in order to “be happy” but you fly quickly through the small, pleasant, calming, joyful experiences and you didn’t really take it in or learn from the experience. You do not repeat them
Life can bring negative experiences, bad news, and natural disasters. When these are coupled with the negative bias often present with anxiety and depression you might go from day to day and miss the small delights.
Be Happy. Repeat Delight
David Altman in The Mindfulness Toolbox wrote about the G.L.A.D. mindfulness technique.
Let’s start with D for delight.
This is an exercise that clients have found helpful as they become more mindful in their day to day life.
Will finding delight cause your life to suddenly become so happy that you will begin to jump for joy?
Unlikely.
But persistently noticing small moments of delight will help dilute persistent negative thought patterns. Small lasting changes.
What Can You Do? 5 Delightful Repeats
Use all your senses. Slow down as you immerse yourself in the experience. It takes a few minutes .What makes you smile?
- Watch children play. Watch a sunset or sunrise. Watch a funny cat video.
- Listen to a calming or upbeat music. Get up and move. Groove it.
- Enjoy the taste of that delicious piece of chocolate.
- Stop and smell the perfume, candle, incense. Smell some refreshing flowers.
- Hug a significant other. Pet your dog or cat. Rub on your favorite lotion.
Do them all. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Share your 5 D’s here
Jumoke Omojola is a Mental Health Therapist in Omaha, Nebraska where she assists adults create healthier, happier lives and nurturing relationships. She serves Bellevue, Ralston, LaVista and other surrounding Omaha areas.
If you are finding it challenging to find delight do contact Jumoke at 4029816624 or jmomojola@gmail.com. Feel free to share this blog! Have a delightful day.