but first:
A TRUTH: I have been afraid to start this blog.
REASON: Unsure how to proceed, lazy, unsure how to proceed.
A NEW TRUTH: I am going to do it anyway - 20 minutes at a time. I plan to reschedule my day, my life, my creative output, 20 minutes at a time. This sounds easy, yes? We shall see. It could be fun to watch!
REASON: I want to share. I also want to build discipline.
OLD TRUTH: Historically, I have not been known for my discipline - yikes.
HERE WE GO!
I have one word for you today: ENJOYMENT! yeah, I like this one.
They say enjoyment is different than pleasure. Interesting! Who doesn't love pleasure? Good food, a relaxing nap or glass of wine, good conversation. Surely we all have a list of what we feel constitutes pleasure, but what I found most intriguing is that enjoyment goes beyond pleasure.
Enjoyment includes something unexpected, something new. Something pushing past what we have already accomplished or experienced. Enjoyment goes further, causes forward movement, and if we are really lucky, it can take us somewhere even unimagined before. In that case, after an enjoyable event, (which may or may not be pleasurable at the time) we have changed, we have become more complex. WE HAVE GROWN!
It may have something to do with fully concentrating on an activity. Maybe it's about learning?Is it how you employ your brain? hummmmmmmmmmm.
I do know that when one is fully engaged in any activity that flows so beautifully from one thought or movement to the next, it's a great place to be. And If you go somewhere new in the process, it is truly amazing.
Any thoughts on this? Pleasure vs. Enjoyment??? Bring it on!!
XOXOXO
Lynnie
16 comments:
Okay, so what does it say about me that I love and can totally relate to the part about discipline, but we get to the juicy-loosey-gooey stuff about pleasure, and like a dog who's lost his master, all I can do is cock my head and wrinkle up my brow.
But I can be taught, so bring it on Sister Freshyfresh.
Jme-Stiff
P.S. I do think that Bertie Botts Morris, perhaps 'cause he's named for a fictional purveyor of magical jell beans, has this whole pleasure deal down pat. And I've got the pictures to prove it.
But you've got to pay to see them.
Lynn,
For me, enjoyment is sort of the Zen of pleasure. When we look at things through the pleasure perspective, it's almost too much for many. Pleasure = passion and all that implies, whether tasting the perfect juice of a strawberry upon which the sun has bestowed a day's warmth to the shivers of ecstasy at the touch of our beloved. It's not something easily sustained, and maybe that contributes to its desirability.
Enjoyment is quieter, but definitely more sustainable. It's pleasure matured, and savored even when the ecstasy of that pleasure is no longer at it apex. Pleasure is the pounding surf crashing over us over as our heart tries to catch up, anticipating the next moment with excitement tinged with fear. Enjoyment is laying in the sand as the moon rises and knowing there is only this moment and it is the perfect moment it can be.
sarah
Are you related to Doug E. Fresh or the Fresh Prince? Either way you are the freshiest fresyfresh. . . . . .
I mean you are the freshiest freshy fresh. Not fresy fresh. You fresher.
I think enjoyment must be the older, wiser sister of pleasure. Enjoyment is something that can occur with your mother in the room. Hmmm a lot of family references here tonight...
I also am interested in the idea of achieving discipline. Especially as the days get warmer, and it gets more and more difficult to stay in the studio. Perhaps searching for inspiration will help, in the bottom of a jar of buttons, or on the edge of a memory...do memories have edges?
k
Sarah, sarah, sarah!
what a wonderful comment. delicious really, and beautifully written. I love the idea of the zen of pleasure. I like the pleasure of pleasure! I also just (ten minutes ago) found my pocket book of the Tao Te Ching. another feast!
all my best,
Xoxo
Lynn
dear mr. cornholio!
you maka me laugh! I didn't know you could type!!
noooo, but thanks for noticing my freshness! I am not related to the fresh prince, but am more in line with:
fresh bread
fresh ideas
fresh green growing things!
fresh veggies
freshness in general
later tater!
XOxo
something of a tangent. or to build on this idea. -1st, I operationalize enjoyment as happiness. so, here, I'll use that...
yep, there is a qualitative difference between pleasure and happiness. no question. happiness is a descrete event. one that doesn't (some might say can't) come along too often. great art can achieve this. so too can profound human connection. Travel too. the thing I think is most important about realizing happiness is comportment. that is, you've got to be open to happiness, open to change. the heart must be willing.
...anyhow, you're a peach and I look forward to your next topic! see you kids in New York City (typed in my most red necked accent..)
aunt lynn:),
Pleasure is when i get off the school bus and come home for the best meals ever.pleasure is when i come home to see family and dogs.also when i hangout with my friends and talk about the hot ones at my school:)pleasure is when i have a VERY talented family,like you!
-love you,
little fresh kailey
aunt lynn:),
Pleasure is when i get off the school bus and come home for the best meals ever.pleasure is when i come home to see family and dogs.also when i hangout with my friends and talk about the hot ones at my school:)pleasure is when i have a VERY talented family,like you!
-love you,
little fresh kailey
Jesus god! finding a password!!! it's neither enjoyable or pleasurable! this took forever! i'm too mentally ill now to even comment!! i just hope i can remember the damn password the next time!!! all i can say now is, I love Lynn Whipple and John Whipple too! So thrilled to be here, to have this space!!! More later!
love, Terri er, ah Love-at-last
I think everyone said everything I would say... so hi! And I am really enjoying the snow melting and how soon flowers will be blooming here in Aspen. Ready for more blogs!
HI! you all are so great to hop on! Hey, I do think it's a little tricky this password thingy. it has stumped me plenty!
I do love what was written about pleasure and enjoyment. such worthwhile things to think about and you are all so eloquent. I am planning another post from the big apple, as we head there tomorrow to bring work to the "Bridge" show, and to check out the Armory Show as well as the Whitney Biennial. And there will be shoe shopping!
Later taters, keep it fresh!
XOXOXOXOXO
loving you,
Lynnie
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