Enjoying Life

A person will be called to account on Judgment Day for every permissible thing he might have enjoyed but did not. – Talmud

Self denial is a tricky thing. In some ways, it helps quite a bit. Denying yourself dessert can help you lose weight. Denying yourself an extra hour of sleep in favor of jogging can increase your health. Delaying gratification can work in the same way. I’ll sit down with my favorite TV show but only after I do the dishes. I’ll finish up the load of laundry now, that way I won’t have anything to do all afternoon and can do whatever I want.

The problem comes in when you start denying yourself just because you’re denying yourself. It becomes a habit, and I’ve spoken quite a bit about habits. This seems like one of those “good for you” habits that can get a bit out of control. Life was not meant to be suffered. If life was about suffering rather than enjoying, sex would not feel that good. Sugar would not taste so nice. Sunshine and a cool breeze beneath the autumnal splendor of maples and oaks would not be so perfect. But sex is that good, sugar does taste nice, and a beautiful day in the fall is still a beautiful day in the fall whether you’re denying yourself it or not.

Life is meant to be enjoyed. Do what needs to be done, but include on that to do list “enjoy today”. Your Future should be pleasant, wonderful, happy, joyful, exciting, and full of contentment. Practice now.