A gentle ode to life's simple pleasures.
This month, I've been doing my best to slow down. Having passed the centre of the year, it's so tempting to fall into the all consuming perpetual motion of the down hill side of madness, tumbling and flailing til I crash (face first) into Christmas. One tactic I've adopted is trying to get back into podcasts. Perennial favourites the BBC had a gorgeous we episode about Playwright and Poet Bertolt Brecht. The story goes, that during the Second World War, he was isolated from his friends and family, many of whom were in hiding or feared dead - a crazy thing to consider in more comfortable times like this. To maintain his morale, he wrote 'Vergnügungen' or 'Pleasures' as a sort of inventory of the simple joys of life. I was struck. What in incredibly simple act, and what a perfectly grateful sentiment for the little things I know I so easily take for granted.
Pleasures by Bertolt Brecht
First look from morning's window
The rediscovered book
Fascinated faces
Snow, the change of the seasons
The newspaper
The dog
Dialectics
Showering, swimming
Old music
Comfortable shoes
Comprehension
New music
Writing, planting
Traveling
Singing
Being friendly
What would you include on your wistful list of pleasures? What sort of gentle reminders of joy can you find in your day-to-day life? in your routine, your work, your interactions? Two of my classes have been working on poetry this term, so we had a go at putting together lists of things that bring them pleasure. I was surprised to read that many of them were compelled by similar things to Brecht: Connections, Time with loved ones, beloved pets and the universal joy of the shower! Have a go yourself and let me know in the comments below, what brings you pleasure? Checkout the podcast episode below and let me know on instagram what podcast you've been listening to (I am ALWAYS in need of podcast recommendations. Til next time xox
Name of translator?