This year I decided to challenge myself to reflect on various Yoga and Buddhist aspects throughout the year. The challenges come from a variety of places including readings in Deborah Adele's Yamas and Niyamas and Thich Nhat Hanh's Heart of the Buddha's Teaching and Happiness.
This week's challenge was to enjoy life, without excess. To enjoy pleasure but stop before over-indulgence.
I'll admit there are times when this can be a really challenging one for me. If one is good, isn't more better? I've often had that mindset even though experience has taught me the answer is "No". The first bite of cake is the best; every subsequent bite isn't as good but I keep eating hoping for that one perfect bite again.
Last weekend, my mom bought pie. I knew I was light on calories for that day and had a couple pieces of pie. The first was okay. The second was not. It was heavy and I really didn't enjoy it that much. It was a good start to the week since it reminded me that excess usually isn't that enjoyable.
On Wednesday night I stayed up too late (if a little time in front of the TV/on the computer is good, them more is better, right?) and was left tired for Thursday. I remembered this Thursday night and made a point of going to bed earlier so that I could catch up on rest.
I've been working on slowly making some changes to my life including eating, exercise and self-care. Therefore, I found that pleasure without excess was fairly easy to acheive this week. I certainly find that the middle ground between deprivation and excess is the most comfortable point to be.
