If you’re like me, you’re going to do a lot of savoring in the weeks ahead.
Whether it’s a piece of chocolate cake or a feeling of joy ,when you savor something, you enjoy it to the fullest. When you savor something, you enjoy it so much that you want to make it last forever.
With that in mind, savoring carries the connotation of doing something slowly. If you savor that warm piece of pecan pie, then you eat it slowly, bit by bit, deliberately picking every last crumb off the plate. The word is often applied to eating, but you can savor any pleasurable experience, whether it’s a sunny day, a winning touchdown, an A on your test, or your moment in the spotlight.
Savoring: Why Not?
So, if savoring means enjoying something for as long as possible, why don’t we do it more? If something is so enjoyable, wouldn’t we naturally stop and want to enjoy it for as long as we can?
For one thing, we aren’t in the habit. Instead, we are in the habit of being busy and rushing, which precludes slowing down to savor. Our “to do” list is our priority, and our lifestyle often feels like a hamster wheel.
Savoring: A New Lifestyle
So, if we truly want to get the most out of life on this wonderful, creative planet, we’re going to have to decide that it’s worth it to sometimes take a minute or two to slow down and savor — to enjoy something for a while.
Savoring: Something Fun To Do Before You Go to Sleep
There’s an enjoyable mental activity that helps me keep up a lifestyle of savoring all the goodness in life. It’s called the 3 Blessings exercise. Before you go to sleep each night, as soon as you put your head on the pillow, think of 3 positive things from your day. Nothing is too small or too big — a little ladybug on your porch, a complement from someone at work, a meaningful discussion with a family member. Then, take a few moments to marinate in the details and feelings of that memory. Over time, you’ll start noticing and savoring these types of things in the course of your day as you do this simple exercise each night. One small hint: leave a note card on your pillow each morning to remind you to do this exercise at night while you’re first establishing the habit.
So go out into your world and savor the art of savoring!
Questions for you and your family:
What is your greatest hindrance to developing the habit of savoring the good things around you?
What advantages do you see for yourself in developing this habit?