ROCK thru to amplify the joys of everyday moments
ABUNDANT LIVING SERIES
by Lee Havenga | May 23, 2024
Throughout each day, we encounter many enjoyable experiences that barely get noticed. Think about quickly drinking your morning coffee while scrolling through social media, walking briskly to an appointment without noticing the warmth of the sun, or holding your lover’s hand out of habit. These moments, though ordinary, have the potential to be extraordinary if we take the time to truly savor them. By slowing down and fully engaging with these experiences, we can transform routine activities into sources of immense pleasure and contentment.
In this Abundant Living series article, we’ll explore three simple ways to leverage the ROCK thru the principle of Connection to deepen our engagement with the present moment and foster a stronger connection to our experiences, emotions, and surroundings.
Savoring is the art of transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences.
CONNECTION
Apply it
1. Share Your Experience
Technique: Share your pleasurable experiences with others. Talk about what you enjoyed and why it was meaningful to you.
Apply it: After experiencing something that brings you joy, such as a peaceful moment in nature or a delicious meal, share your experience with someone. Describe the beauty of the scenery or the taste of the food, and explain how it made you feel.
Benefit: Research by Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness, shows that sharing positive experiences with others can amplify the joy we feel and strengthen our relationships.
2. Feel Instant Peace
Technique: Make deliberate pauses throughout your day to instantly create moments to savor, regardless of where you are or what you’re doing.
Apply it: Set a reminder on your phone to pause every few hours, even for a minute or two. Take a moment to bring your attention to your surroundings, take a deep breath, and savor the present moment.
Benefit: According to Dr. Rick Hanson, author of Hardwiring Happiness, slowing down and taking deep breaths can help reset your nervous system, promoting relaxation and a deeper connection to your surroundings.
3. Reflect on the Positive
Technique: Take time at the end of your day to reflect on positive experiences. Relive them in your mind and savor the emotions they bring.
Apply it: Before bed, think back to a happy moment from your day. Replay it in your mind, focusing on the positive feelings and sensations it evokes.
Benefit: Dr. Barbara Fredrickson’s book Positivity explains that reflecting on positive experiences can enhance our emotional resilience and increase our capacity for joy.
By embracing the practice of savoring, we can transform ordinary moments into extraordinary ones, deepening our appreciation for life’s blessings. Let’s ROCK thru each day by extending and intensifying our enjoyable experiences. XO ~ Lee
Sources:
Lyubomirsky, Sonja. The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want. Penguin Books, 2008.
Hanson, Rick. Hardwiring Happiness. Harmony Books, 2013.
Fredrickson, Barbara. Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the Upward Spiral That Will Change Your Life. Crown Publishers, 2009.
Get more like this, right to your inbox
Want to inspire a friend?
Forward this on so they can
ROCK thru too!
