Excerpt
andlt;Bandgt;Introductionandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;This book is a traveling pleasure companion, and a reminder to seek out pleasure and lightly scoop it up!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;It is also a guide to finding pleasure in all of the difficult places: during illness, at the periodontist, facing our aging and mortality, and all the challenges of being human.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Pleasure and joy live in all of the corners and crevices too, not just bright sunlight. We must learn to cultivate pleasure and invite it into andlt;Uandgt;allandlt;/Uandgt; the places in our lives, no matter what else is happening.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;It is our birthright to enjoy ourselves and find all the pleasure in our lives. Pleasure loves company and delights in being discovered.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I frequently forget about pleasure. It is easy to become consumed by WORK and by DOING...andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Where's the pleasure?andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Pleasure can be so elusive, momentary, and serendipitous. We can chase it away by trying to plan it, grab it, clutch it or orchestrate it.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;We can dance through our lives and still be "responsible."andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;We can dive deeply into our challenges, and still chortle with glee. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Let's chortle more!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Let's loosen our clothes, and practice illuminated decadence and conscious luxury.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Let's live more in pleasure and bring pleasure to others. Pleasure can escort us safely through very difficult times and give our spirits a place to replenish.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Pleasure and joy invite our best selves out to play and quiet our critical voices. They give us a much-needed place to creatively refill.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Then we can truly help othersandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Pleasure definitely multiplies as we share it.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;This book is:andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;A leaping treasure trove of pleasuresandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;An exuberant burst of good energyandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;A companion for very dark daysandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;A guide to giving and receiving pleasure, andlt;Iandgt;permissionandlt;/Iandgt; for pleasure, vicarious pleasures, joy in the midst of pain, pleasure mentors and lots of way to activate:andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;More pleasure and joy in your life and others' lives.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Let's truly treasure our days and nights, moving through light and dark, sitting with our pain and fear, and welcoming our joy.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;We so often try to present our ideal or best selves to the world. Let me invite you into the pleasure of sharing your andlt;Bandgt;fragile, wrinkled, dented tiniest self!andlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I assure you, it's what people find andlt;Uandgt;most endearingandlt;/Uandgt; about you!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I invite youandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;intoandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;expanded pleasureandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;true joy in all that it is to be human...especially the unacknowledged parts.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Pleasure no matter what else is happening.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;I will share my process, lessons, failings, discoveries and blessings with you.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Let's proceed into pleasure...andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;note: there is a lot of pleasure in eating mangoes naked or...just thinking about it!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Copyright andamp;copy; 2001 by Sark