The fourth of the 16 Guidelines For Life — delight — is like fresh air.
Delight is celebrating when good things happen. It opens our hearts and lifts us up when we notice the positive things around us.
When we rejoice for others having wonderful things happen to them — instead of allowing “what about me?” to tighten us up — our friendships become more genuine. And we feel better about ourselves.“I find delight by taking a minute when I am working to look at the colours around me. Then I notice simple things that brighten my day and wonder why I don’t do this more often,” says Katie Keenleyside of Hamilton.
Hwiemtun, a Coast Salish elder from Vancouver Island, takes urban youth into natural environments: “My greatest fun is seeing the awe in their faces when they experience the few remaining massive old-growth trees and drink directly from streams off the mountains. This is an experience they may never have again in their life.”
“When I am with my friends and family and we are delirious with laughter over the little things in life, I feel connected to that non-judgmental, loving, trusting, childlike playfulness that bubbles out with laughter,” says Teresa Beckett of Oakville, a laughter yoga teacher.
Try this: When did you last experience a moment of pure and utter delight? Today, allow yourself to take delight in something that happens, fully and without reservations. Finish your day by celebrating moments like this instead of dwelling on problems and difficulties.
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Dekyi-Lee Oldershaw, director of The Centre for Compassion and Wisdom in Burlington, is coauthor of 16 Guidelines For Life, available at website centreforcompassionandwisdom.com.
Tonight I found delight, and a radient beam of light from within, as I watched your video on delight! Especially the gentle man, who delights as he drinks fresh clean water from the mountain stream with his hands. Thank you.
Posted by: Julie from Elke, Idaho | 12/02/2009 at 03:23 PM
Delight comes from truly being in the moment and being aware of ALL that is. Delight in
the gifts found in every moment of every day.
Delight is unexpected joy. Delight comes from mastering a new skill or teaching a new skill and seeing the joy and empowerment it gives to others.
Posted by: Deborah | 11/22/2009 at 02:09 PM