Where Enjoyment Lies

Enjoyment and circumstances

For a long time, I believed having a good time was directly tied to making the right decision. Deciding how to celebrate a birthday, choosing a hotel or restaurant on vacation, or simply making plans for the weekend.

Enjoyment, I believed, came from creating great circumstances.

Over time, I have come to understand enjoyment very differently. On a short trip with my father earlier this year, I was reminded of its simplicity and where it actually lies.

In late spring we ventured to Joshua Tree to enjoy a couple of nights in the desert. With temperatures above 90°F by 11am, any hiking was advised to be done in the early morning. We had been to the park before and didn’t feel like having too tight a schedule, so we opted for a more leisurely start to the day.

We took our time, had breakfast, and then considered the options. Going into the park at midday, the substantial heat would limit how much exploring we could do. On the other hand, this was our one full day there, so it was either today or not at all.

My critical thinking said, it’s not the right time, you won’t get to do the best walks, it likely won’t be enjoyable. 

I then took a moment to tune into something else, to put that thinking aside and feel for a nudge in one direction or another. And without much detail, that guidance said, try it and see.

As we proceeded on the 30-40 minute drive into the park, the scenery grew more and more spectacular and otherworldly. I was reminded how special it was simply to drive through this place, even if you never got out of the car.

We chose a simple nature walk and lingered along the way, stopping to stand in small patches of shade and take photos. Moving more slowly, I took time to read the wildlife signs and to appreciate the rock formations. It was a simple excursion, no peaks climbed or epic sunset vistas, but I felt so content.

As I continued to stroll, I felt thankful for this reminder. When we try to optimize circumstances, we can miss out on enjoying what’s right here.

Enjoyment is actually always available. It’s what happens when we get present. Our minds quiet down, there are no thoughts of what might be better, or what’s happening next. We can tune into a patch of sunlight, a cup of coffee, or the way our pets or loved ones are curled up and cozy across the room.

Enjoyment is not something I achieve, but something that emerges naturally inside of me when I land in the moment.