“The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
– Joseph Addison
What do you make of that?
I’ve been making quite a bit of that. I’m really interested to hear what you think and find to be the case for you, when you read it.
Come and tell me what that prompts for you and I’ll come back and say what it prompts for me. 
xx
Week 2 in this, the 3rd year of pleasure
Overall, forty nine points of which 12 were at work
And a 12:1 pleasure to pain ratio
A selection of the pleasure at work
As part of my pleasure research this week I watched a tv programme about a group of young jobseekers
They were given the opportunity, amongst other things, to run small retail stores with a little guidance from the existing managers
They were really inspiring to watch as they rose to the challenge of managing staff and putting on events to boost sales
When they found the balance between giving clear direction and having a lot of fun in the events that they put on they were most successful
The programme isn’t setting out to make this point but on the days when they were fearful they struggled to make their sales targets and on the day when they made it a pleasure and everyone had fun putting on the event one woman nearly made double the sales target
They’re a great example of what it could look like to really enjoy a day at work
I found that so encouraging and inspiring to watch
It’s a series of 3, The Career Crashers on Monday at 7pm on BBC3 with last week’s one available to watch again if you’re quick
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b019gc0f/The_Career_Crashers_Basic_Entry_to_Shop_Managers/
I met up with a client I worked with last year and she is doing really well
And getting recognition for her achievements
So heart warming
One of her dreams has already happened
And there are more in the pipeline
My heart could not be warmer
Best thing!
I usually take some time in the morning to prepare myself for the day and give specific thought to clients that I have sessions with during that day.
The time of year affects where this happens. This time of year it normally happens under the duvet with tea and a pashmina.
One day this week the early morning sky was extraordinarily red and the temperature extraordinarily mild so I took my tea outside and sat there and it was absolutely gorgeous. I wish I’d taken a photograph.
It was red with slashes of deep dark slate grey slicing through along with that pale, pale but brilliantly lit blue.
I have a photograph from a year ago that’s similar.
I have never been late for a client session
That might be hard to believe (given how old I am and how long I’ve been seeing clients) but it’s true
I view being on time as a mark of respect for all involved in any given meeting
I’ve been known to run over at the end of a session (ahem….apologies, I’m working on respect for the time at the end as well as at the beginning of our meetings) but, getting back to my pain in this instance, I have never been late
This week I allowed an hour, for a half hour journey, to meet a new client
I pictured me drinking coffee and having a very relaxed contemplative time before my client arrived
There was a traffic jam from Welwyn all the way back to Codicote and the half hour journey took me one and a half hours and I was a full half hour late
That I didn’t just melt from the horror of it is the biggest miracle of all
I’m not sure I properly recovered from it for the whole session after I did arrive
I hope I’ll have the chance to recover things in 2 weeks when we meet again
When we’ll have found a new meeting place that avoids the roadworks which appeared to be the only thing causing the delay
Eech
This week, using the #itsapleasure hash tag on twitter are a selection of people who I ……um…..I don’t think have necessarily ..um
Let’s say there’s a tipping over into the night hours which I don’t judge but is probably outside the scope….ah yes, that’s the way to put it, is outside the scope of this blog
So, I’ll refrain from featuring their posts
How’s your week been?
Come and tell all in the comments, I’d love to hear about your pleasure and your pain this week
Please be forewarned.
This post is personal and painful.
Stop now all those who don’t want to get into all that.
I’ve been torn between curling up in a ball and hiding myself away, or instead letting the light get to the most painful parts in the hope that it will heal better there.
I’ve decided, despite the professional risks, to let the light get at it.
I understand perfectly if you’d rather not get into all that.
For those that would prefer to go now, I understand, I’ll see you next week.
For the rest, here we go….
Ninety one points
And a 13:1 pleasure to pain ratio
We’ve reached a third year of pleasure.
I’m entering it with such a mixture of emotions.
Sitting side by side I have both a heavy grieving heart and the most exciting ideas for the work I’ll be doing this year.
They take turns to wash over me.
One moment I beam broadly and the very next moment, when in private, my head sinks and tears stream down my face.
In a most pleasurable guided visualisation in a taster call from the wonderful Hiro Boga, picturing what 2012 holds for my work, I pictured quite the most unique retreat I have ever imagined.
In the Caribbean.
It’s so good, that the leaders I’ve spoken to so far, including me, want to attend it rather than run it.
I had visions of whipping it together in a month but that was before the pain, which is to be respected and given space.
I think it may still have a European pilot in 2012 and if it works well, run in 2013.
It would be my wont, in the face of pain,or worry, to curl up and be by myself.
To come out of hibernation at some point down the line and say this happened but I’m better now.
To go it alone.
So no one need be troubled by my pain.
This time I told people.
And my goodness they circled round.
And what a wonderful thing that is.
It is still quite the most emotionally painful time I’ve had and now it’s also the warmest, most loving time I’ve had too.
Goodness me. The rollercoaster.
Wild exciting ideas followed by, in the same day, the most horrible pain and then again in what feels like it can’t possibly be the same day, but it is, the most loving circling round of women that I have experienced.
My wee man deserves a special mention. Maybe a commendation, for being compassionate beyond his years.
My gentlemanfriend broke up with me.
It was not mutual and I was so sure we could do things differently and be stronger and closer for it, in the end.
But he didn’t think so.
Oh my goodness the pain.
Sometimes very, very quiet but burning and then explosive and needing kettle drums, full orchestra and choir, requiem to acknowledge the sheer bursting massive scale of it.
I thought walking in the stormy winds this week would be powerful enough to make some impression on it, but there’s been nothing strong enough to match it. Storms rage outside me and it rages within me.
And my goodness that is good stuff.
To let the pain meet its match in force, in music, and see that it’s allowed to be as strong as it is.
See that I’m not frightened of it, that it won’t kill me, that it’s going to be allowed full expression and need not be less than it is for fear of my not being able to bear it.
That has been enormously healing.
And besides, there is absolutely nothing I can do about this pain other than let it be.
And after the storm, The Beatles. Let it be.
It’s a good job my neighbour is pretty much deaf. It’s been a loud week.
I don’t expect there’ll be another week quite like this. Please not for quite some time anyway.
And if I ever said to you that I like surprises. I’ve changed my mind. Cancel that until further notice.
I’m ok.
I plan to continue to let it be. With no expectations of what it will be.
I know. Follow that! It’s hard to come and say how your week was on the back of that.
But, I’d like it if you felt able.
It’s very good to feel those feelings and not suppress them, but it’s also good not to stay in them all the time.
I would really like to hear about your week. Your pleasure and pain, in the comments.
.
Really happy.
Truly only what makes you happy. I wish you nothing less.
I hope you’ll join me in 2012 to make it a year of pleasure for you. Yes, you.
How close can you get to
‘do nothing unless it’s a pleasure’
Good night 2011
Wishing a very happy and pleasurable 2012 for all
kisses
Here I am talking about why The Pleasure Assessor is the best stocking filler you will ever buy!
And here’s where to take your clicky finger over to the buy now button
Wishing you a very very Merry Christmas
kisses
