Pleasure-Stacking

 I was listening to a devotional about Sabbath Rest and the author shared a phrase that caught my attention, like, long-term.  I don't remember every suggestion he made for ways to practice Sabbath rest, but I do remember what he called "Pleasure-Stacking".  What he meant was saving things that are extra good, enjoyable, special and feel like a treat.  Stack up these wonderful things in that one day of rest so that there is goodness over and over and over.  

What a great idea!  What an amazing phrase.....pleasure-stacking.  I have always done this for our kids on their birthdays.  I try to consider their favorite foods, favorite people, favorite activities and pleasure-stack them all on a birthday to hopefully send a message over and over again that they are special.  I never thought of applying that list to other days.

As I began to consider how that could look for me on my Sabbath rest days, I began to make small changes.....enjoying an extra cup of coffee with really good cream and maple syrup, finding a comfy spot in my home to read a good book, planning a meal that is a bit more yummy than just eating, not planning lunch for the family but letting everyone graze and eat when they want mid-day....whatever the rhythm of our home allowed for that made the day more relaxing, more pleasing and more comforting for me personally.  

What if we all took some moments to make our own list of pleasure-stacking?  What would be on yours?  Mine would definitely include things I like to eat and drink, fragrant candles, whatever hobby I currently enjoy, specific things I can see, hear, taste, touch and smell......

Pleasure-stacking allows us to tune in to what matters to us, to nourish our own hearts and minds, to care for ourself beyond getting adequate sleep, exercise and nutrition.  Pleasure-stacking sends a message to our own brain chemistry that says, "Hey you....I want you to feel good and to have all the warm fuzzies today.  I want you to be surprised and reminded by all the things that give you pleasure and make you feel good.  I want you to take a break from the worries and burdens that you carry and just be.  How you are is very important.  It is more important than what you do.  Take some time today to make sure that how you are is as good as can be.  Be well today.  Stack your pleasures and your breaths one on top of the other and at the end of the day be more well than when the day began.  Keep coming up with new things to add to the pleasure-stacking list.  Try new things, gauge whether they were pleasing or not and if they were, save them for the pleasure-stacking day.  Plan for your day and make it happen.  Often."  

As a human race, I don't think we do a very good job of innately pleasure-stacking.  I wonder if that is the reason we sometimes weaken and turn to gluttonous or really selfish things....to make up for some void that could be so much more simple.  

I would love to learn what would go on the list of pleasure-stacking for others.  If you have good ideas please share with me!