As a second semester senior, it has become important to slow down and appreciate all that is right in front of me. Sometimes it is difficult to find ways to appreciate my last few months as an undergraduate at Barnard, and to not get too caught up in what the future may bring. I have found that there is an easy way to be grounded in the present, and you do not have to be an old, cranky senior to try this out yourself. I call them simple pleasures. Simple pleasures are fleeting moments when you feel warm and tingly. They are brief spurts of happiness, quick reminders that the world can be a wonderful place. Let me offer some examples of ten of my favorite simple pleasures.
1) When you flip over your pillow so you can lay your head on the cool side
2) That first sip of a great cup of coffee, preferably a latte in a large mug so that you get a little bit of foam on your upper lip
3) That moment when you slide into your stretchy pants after removing your constricting jeans
4) When you first step in to that hot shower, at just the right temperature
5) Your first bite of a really, really, really delicious and gooey brownie, and your mouth waters ever so slightly. Or that first bite of any dessert, really
6) That first sip of a heights margarita, whenever I will be able to have it again
7) When you step out of the subway in a completely different part of town, and realize that there is a whole life out there beyond the Morningside Heights bubble. In other words, you once again feel that New York City spark you once used to feel everyday
8) The feeling of an unexpected compliment
9) Using a warm towel that is fresh out of the dryer
10) A familiar smell that reminds you of something happy that took place in the past
Simple pleasures are there for your enjoyment everyday, whether you realize them or not. So take a couple minutes and write down ten of your favorite simple pleasures. Not only will you exercise your smiling muscles while thinking about them, but you will also come to appreciate what is right in front of you. Post them on your wall, and when you think of or experience new ones, you can add them to the list!