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DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN |
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SIMPLE PLEASURES
Having grown up in a state where summer temperatures often pass the 100 degree mark and nighttime lows are seldom below 75, many people assume that I feel at home in hot weather. However I suffer from those occasional days of 90 degree heat here in the San Juan Islands as much as anyone else. So last Thursday I was looking for a way to stay cool. The oscillating fan blew air from the open windows even though the mini-blinds were closed over them. Still, the inside temperature was getting pretty warm by late afternoon. So I decided that visiting a friend with a pond seemed like a better option than staying at home or diving into the 45 degree water surrounding the island. Inviting myself to my friend's pond, I discovered there were already about a dozen neighbors with the same idea. I found my friend on the back porch where a pleasant breeze was keeping her, two dogs, and a cat pleasantly cool. Joining them, I struck up a conversation with my friend while petting an insistent dog who was obviously born to be caressed. After an hour or so on the porch, my friend an I went to the garden and picked a pint or two of fresh raspberries. She then washed the berries and served them on top of French vanilla ice cream in bowls that we took back to the porch. As we sat eating our cool treats, enjoying the breeze, and continuing our conversation, I realized that life doesn't get any better than this. We weren't using electric fans or air conditioners. We hadn't spent a fortune on food, entertainment, or other diversions. Instead, we were enjoying some of life's simple pleasures -- vanilla ice cream, homegrown raspberries, the shade of a covered porch, a gentle summer breeze, the companionship of pets, and the delight of conversation with a friend.
© 2003 David Bentley David Bentley, M.Ed. & Personal Coach, coaches clients through the game of life, helping them find balance, clarity of direction, and purpose in an ever-changing world. You may contact him at 360.378.8436 by e-mail at david@coachbentley.com or visit his Web site: www.coachbentley.com |
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