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Simple Happiness

Aging Well | Last Active: Mar 8 3:45pm | Replies (64)

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Profile picture for sisyphus @sisyphus

It seems to me that we over-do or under-do certain things such as in food, physical exertion, or even socially connection is because we do not allow ourselves our Innate Pleasures that we all are born with.

Each of us is born curious and playful, and has a bent toward what we are inclined to pursue, even excel in.
It is when these essential needs are not not adequately satisfied, that we run into Making Up for the loss of these Basic Pleasures by reacting for example, with excessive alcohol use, needing bigger, larger amounts of sweat and creamy foods, or lounging/sitting too long for our own good health.

Today in a hurry, as I left to attend a philosophy discussion of 100 people to talk in smaller groups, mostly in mid 20s to mid 40s (I am 82). I ate two bananas with full-cream yogurt and two fistfulls of cashews in each pocket to eat during my subway ride in below freezing weather. The desire to meet people trumped my desire for a long relaxed full lunch.

Today I want a healthy shape to help me also find interesting social connections. If I tried to be healthy for health's sake, I'll fail because I'd ask myself: Good health FOR what? In other words I need a higher/bigger Purpose in life to want me to be in good-enough shape with my food and activity choices.

This seems to have worked for me for eight decades, being the same size as in my early adulthood. How Much we need in food or exertion our bodies tell us, When we have an overall life purpose, even if it is to desire a more enriching, satisfying life, the internal guide for hunger, exertion and rest will often step up to guide us.

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Replies to "It seems to me that we over-do or under-do certain things such as in food, physical..."

@sisyphus I love your post ! Listening to our bodies and our feelings is very important…it seems everyone wants to tell us what to do and how to do it..well-intentioned, but not always a fit…covid changed so much of life, but gave us time..so, i began projects I’m still doing, arranging music that I know and love, and sharing it wherever I can….as to food, I had medical issues affecting food, but just tried to make it as nice as possible…I believe that purpose is great medicine !