Enjoy God's Gift of Simple Pleasures: Find Joy

Joy often comes from simple pleasures--not complex, expensive events.

Persons Today

Persons today sometimes seem much busier than during my childhood, which was primarily during the 1960s and 1970s. Yet they don’t necessarily seem happier. Depression and suicide seem to be much more common based on news reports I've seen, but accurate statistics are hard to get.

My guess (and I admit it is only a guess) is that the stresses of too many commitments are a contributing factor. For example, youths today may often be so active in various things that they lack a lot of unorganized free time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Bullying and social media abuse negatively impact young people too, as I see it.

When free time occurs, in my view, both children and adults (including me) now typically devote too much time to cell phones and social media.

Video games, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, texting, binge watching television, etc., take up much time in the lives of many children (and adults) today.

Even worse, persons frequently seek artificial highs via alcoholic beverages, other drugs, gambling, pornography, junk food, casual sex, etc.

Some of the items mentioned above are best avoided totally. The others need to be used in moderation.

I’m not a medical professional or a dietician, so I can’t give medical or dietary advice. But as I see it, we need to be grounded in reality and to devote significant time and energy to real world activities--and to real people too--experiencing and enjoying fun.

Simple Pleasures

Let’s seek to experience the joy of simple pleasures.

What do I mean by simple pleasures? Below I’ll discuss numerous examples.

* Taking a Nature Hike and/or Visiting a Park:
Taking a nature hike, enjoying the fresh air, sunshine, and beauty of the trees, shrubs, flowers, birds, etc., can be exhilarating. Even in cities there are typically parks with hiking trails, playground equipment, sports fields, etc. Rural areas often offer nature trails. The October 23, 2022 photo below shows part of a small park near my apartment in Lexington, Kentucky. Lexington features numerous small parks, as well as some medium size and large ones.

* Meditation, Prayer, and Study of Uplifting Scripture:
I’ve experienced marvelous peace and wonderful spiritual insights during time spent meditating, praying, and studying the Bible and other quality devotional materials. Some of my best ideas come during these periods of quiet time. Quiet time is often lacking in this era of television, radio, Internet, and wireless earbuds. Even if you’re not religious, seek to enjoy some quiet time.

* Reading a Good Book:
One can become so engrossed in reading a quality novel or nonfiction book that one loses track of time and other surroundings. I’ve loved to read a wide variety of things since childhood. It’s fun and can be educational too. Check books out free from a library for a cheap simple pleasure. But reading is not everything, and I confess one of my weaknesses is probably reading too much.

* Listening to Uplifting Music:
Listening to Christmas carols, uplifting Christian music, contemporary songs with an upbeat theme, etc., can make one happy and inspire one. For me music is a sideline rather than a centerpiece. But I enjoy it at times, especially Christmas music during November and December. Again, moderation is key. Listening to music excessively is a way to retreat from reality.

* Playing Games:
I’ve experienced lots of fun over the years playing a wide variety of games. Chess, checkers, Monopoly, Rook, rummy, tag, hide-and-go-seek, throwing a Frisbee, and many others are possibilities. Lots of games are cheap or free. And you can even invent your own game if you like. These old-fashioned games may permit more discussion and a more relaxed pace than video games.

* Watching an Inspiring Movie:
Viewing too many movies or the wrong ones is a harmful waste of time. But I encourage you to watch quality, inspiring movies in moderation. If you own a television hooked up to a DVD player, you can probably check out movies and entertaining documentary DVDs free from a local library. Some are available for free download on the Internet too. You may also be able to watch them on a classic movie channel if you have cable TV. “AFI’s 100 Most Inspiring Movies” from the American Film Institute is a nice list of movies to consider. For a shorter listing reflecting my personal bias, see “My Ten Favorite Movies: One Viewer’s Top Films.” But watch quality movies in moderation as part of a balanced life, don’t binge watch.

* Conversing With Friends and Relatives:
Maybe you can visit or phone someone to enjoy conversation about various things. Perhaps there are friends and relatives you’ve not spoken with recently that it would be fun to catch up with. I’ve enjoyed wonderful conversations with friends and relatives over the years. And I consider everyone a friend. As a child, I enjoyed hearing adults talk about their childhoods.

* Participating in a Hobby:
If you don’t have a hobby, maybe you can start one. Do a Google search for “hobbies” to find large lists of them for various persons.

* Playing Sports:
Athletics of various types attract a huge number of people. Millions of persons have fun playing golf, softball, baseball, basketball, bowling, swimming, etc. And it doesn’t have to be an organized team that plays a set number of games in a league or school. It can just be playing for fun. I confess I’m not much of an athlete. I used to bowl, but my main “athletics” activities now are walking, hiking, and bicycling rather than team sports. Sports are not for everyone. We all need some type of exercise though.

* Watching Television in Moderation:
This means limiting television, but enjoying it as part of a balanced life. If you have cable, you may receive hundreds of stations, far more than the 3-5 our television received during my childhood years ago. Watching television series, sports events, news, documentaries, etc., in moderation can be uplifting. An hour or a few hours daily may be beneficial, especially if programs are inspiring and relaxing. Furthermore, television doesn’t necessarily have to be educational. As a child, I loved Saturday morning cartoons and feel that the benefits exceeded the weaknesses of watching them a few hours on some Saturdays (Please feel free to disagree.). However, even during much of my childhood, I probably watched less television than the average person. And my TV now is only hooked up to a DVD player and a VCR, not a cable system or an outdoor antenna. Those who watch several hours of television daily seem to be less productive and more depressed. But it's a cheap, simple pleasure when used in moderation.

* Attending Seminars and Lectures, Visiting Libraries, Religious Services, Volunteering, etc.:
Involved persons are often happier. You may be able to attend free or low-cost seminars or lectures on interesting subjects. You can also visit your local library for events, to read, research, or check out books, CDs, DVDs (as mentioned in the movies section earlier), access public computers, etc. Attending religious sevices and becoming involved in a congregation may be helpful as well. Volunteering at one of many choices locally that interests you is a great way to help others while enjoying yourself too.

*Browsing the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Texting, etc.:
Many of us use these resources excessively. For example, I devote too much time to surfing Internet news sites and a fair amount of time to using Facebook. But if you’re one of those who doesn’t use these resources at all, you may want to consider starting to use one or more of them in moderation. And those of us who devote hours to them daily may need to cut back. Listing alternatives to electronic media is one of the purposes of this article.

Closing Thoughts

I’m not a dietician or a medical professional. I can’t give dietary or medical advice. But I firmly believe that eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly in moderation, and building and maintaining quality relationships are some of the keys to joy and happiness. Experiencing simple pleasures is one aspect of this.

Lots of persons today are overweight due to lack of exercise and improper diets of junk food. While I ate my share of junk food as a child, including intaking a lot of sugary cereal while watching Saturday morning cartoons, my mom generally prepared home-cooked meals and limited my intake of junk food. I thank her and God for that. But we all can probably eat better and exercise more properly.

Though I devote too much time to surfing Internet news sites, I’m glad my television is not hooked up to cable, that I visit my library regularly, and that I walk a fair amount. Living in a city that is a college town, I have access to a significant number of seminars and lectures as well as quality libraries and parks.

God has blessed me (and maybe you) to be happy and healthy. But I (and maybe you) can do better. As we become more diversified, enjoying a more balanced life with various quality activities, my view is that the result can be a happier, healthier, and more productive life. Let’s seek to do so.

NOTES:
This article is partially adapted from other writings of the author, including an April 30th, 2006 article "Enjoy Simple Pleasures that are Often Free" that the author submitted to and was published on a friend’s website that no longer exists.

This article was last revised on October 26, 2022.

Cigarette Smokers, You Can Quit: Save Money, Improve Your Health

Cigarette smokers you can quit.

If you smoke cigarettes, you probably want to quit and have tried quitting. Maybe you even quit for a while and started up again.

Millions have quit permanently. You can too. Yes, you can quit smoking.

It’s a fact that the majority of “adults who have ever smoked cigarettes have quit” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,[1] which also states that the majority of current smokers want to quit, citing various sources for its information.

By quitting, you can save money and improve your health.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration[2] citing various sources notes that it may take multiple attempts to quit smoking, noting that many of the negative symptoms you feel after quitting “should only last a few weeks.” The same webpage states that former smokers may “find that certain, places, occasions, and behaviors . . . can bring up an urge to smoke even after withdrawal symptoms have ended.”

Phone Numbers for Help

For help quitting, in the U.S. you can phone a toll free number listed on the Centers for Disease Control website[3]: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). The Cancer.Net website[4] lists three other phone numbers to call for help quitting, in addition to this one, as well as other resources.

When you quit, keep these phone numbers handy to contact if you face temptation. Also, maybe have one or more friends, relatives, coworkers, and/or others you can reach for support.

Over 100 Reasons to Quit

“More than 100 reasons to quit tobacco” are discussed in a Pan American Health Organization article.[5]

Benefits of Quitting

You probably already know numerous health benefits from quitting. These benefits of quitting smoking begin minutes after you quit and increase over the days, months, and years, as discussed on an American Cancer Society webpage “Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking Over Time.”[6] A MedicinePlus.gov article[7] “Benefits of quitting tobacco” uses various sources (including the American Cancer Society) to discuss the benefits in even more detail.

Another benefit is the money you save by quitting. WorldPopulationReview.com[8] states that in 2022 the average price per pack of cigarettes in the U.S. is $8.00. If you smoke one pack a day at that price, it adds up to $2,920 a year. Smokers, think of what you could do if you had that money to spend on something else.

One (perhaps minor) benefit is not having to find a place to dispose of cigarette butts. As I walk around, cigarette butts seem to be the human litter item I see most. The May 18, 2022 photo below of cigarette butts in Phoenix Park here in Lexington, Kentucky where I live is just one example.

How to Quit

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website lists some helpful resources on “How to Quit Smoking.”[9] Smokefree.gov[10] also lists useful tips on quitting smoking.

So do other sources. Choose the one(s) that you feel will work best for you.

Some Keys to Quitting

(1) Motivation: One key to successfully quitting is motivation. If you are motivated to quit, determined to do it, you can. The source of the motivation could be:

• Religious faith: Help from the higher power of God can be key. Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham, tells in his 1997 autobiography Rebel With a Cause how God enabled him to quit smoking cold turkey. Even if you’re not Billy Graham’s son, prayer, study of inspirational religious materials, support of a church (or synagogue or mosque), etc., are helpful.

• Urging from others: A spouse, child, or grandchild who doesn’t want to breathe secondhand smoke and/or doesn’t want you to die may beg you to stop. If your child complains about the smoke in the home, or tearfully says he/she doesn’t want you to die early, that my inspire you. Indeed, cigarette smokers have a shorter life expectancy by over ten years compared to nonsmokers, according to a journal article published in the New England Journal of Medicine.[11]

• Money: As stated earlier, smoking one pack a day at $8 per pack costs $2,920 per year. And some smokers smoke two, three, or even four packs a day.

• Work: Smokers often miss more work due to smoking-related health reasons and may take more frequent breaks than nonsmokers. Furthermore, if you’re distracted thinking about your craving for a cigarette, you may be more likely to make a mistake that hampers your job performance and potentially puts you and/or others at risk.

• Other reasons: If you have another motivation, reflect on it.

(2) Support: You may be more successful quitting if you get help from one or more relatives, friends, coworkers, support phone numbers, websites, etc. Earlier, this article listed some of these sources. There are many more you can find via a Google search and other sources.

(3) Don’t give up: When faced with temptation to smoke, try something that helps you fight off the urge. Maybe chew gum, take a walk, read a good book, listen to music you enjoy, phone a friend or a support group, etc. Maybe list some ways that you think will work for you in advance of quitting.

(4) Try again: If you fail in your first attempt (or second, third, or whatever), keep trying. Most smokers try multiple times before successfully quitting permanently according to various sources, including a study published by BMJ Open.[12]

Closing Thoughts:

You can do it. I know it’s not easy. I only smoked a few packs of cigarettes as an elementary school kid, and it was hard for me to quit. But thanks to God, my mom, reflecting on the cost, health risks, etc., I quit. And millions of others have too. So can you.

Think of living years longer, being healthier, saving money, not having a cigarette smell on your clothing, etc. Maybe even circle a future date on a calendar to mark the day when you’ll quit. Then do it.

ENDNOTES:

[1] “Smoking Cessation: Fast Facts”; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; page last reviewed: March 31, 2022; webpage accessed October 18, 2022; https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/smoking-cessation-fast-facts/index.html

[2] “What It’s Like to Quit Smoking”; U.S. Food & Drug Administration; Content current as of: October 13, 2022; webpage accessed October 18, 2022; https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/health-effects-tobacco-use/what-its-quit-smoking

[3] “Quit Smoking”; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; webpage accessed October 18, 2022; https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/index.htm#:~:text=For%20support%20in%20quitting%2C%20including,800%2D784%2D8669).&text=Information%20on%20cessation%20behaviors%20of%20U.S.%20adults%20and%20youth.

[4] “Resources to Help You Quit Smoking”; Cancer.Net; Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 6/2018; webpage accessed October 18, 2022; https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/prevention-and-healthy-living/stopping-tobacco-use-after-cancer-diagnosis/resources-help-you-quit-smoking

[5] “More than 100 reasons to quit tobacco”: Pan American Health Organization; webpage accessed October 18, 2022; https://www.paho.org/en/more-100-reasons-quit-tobacco

[6] “Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking Over Time”; American Cancer Society; Last Revised, November 10, 2020; webpager accessed October 18, 2022 https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/benefits-of-quitting-smoking-over-time.html

[7] “Benefits of quitting tobacco”; MedicinePlus.gov; Review Date 10/23/2021; webpage accessed October 18, 2022; https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007532.htm

[8] “Cigarette Prices by State 2022”; World Population Review; webpage accessed October 18, 2022; https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/cigarette-prices-by-state

[9] “How to Quit Smoking”; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Page last reviews February 28, 2022; webpage accessed October 18, 2022 https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/index.html

[10] “Tools and Tips”; Smokefree.gov; webpage accessed October 18, 2022; https://smokefree.gov/

[11] Prabhat Jha, M.D., Chinthanie Ramasundarahettige, M.Sc., Victoria Landsman, Ph.D., Brian Rostron, Ph.D., Michael Thun, M.D., Robert N. Anderson, Ph.D., Tim McAfee, M.D., and Richard Peto, F.R.S.; “21st-Century Hazards of Smoking and Benefits of Cessation in the United States”; New England Journal of Medicine; January 24, 2013; webpage accessed October 19, 2022; https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMsa1211128

[12] Michael Chaiton, Lori Diemert, Joanna E. Cohen, Susan J. Bondy, Peter Selby, Anne Philipneri, and Robert Schwartz; “Estimating the number of quit attempts it takes to quit smoking successfully in a longitudinal cohort of smokers” BMJ Open; webpage accessed October 19, 2022; https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/6/e011045

Toward a Just World: We've Come Far, But Still Have Far to Go

We’ve progressed far toward a just world in recent centuries. A 2019 BBC article “Seven reasons wby the world is improving” is one of many that discuss these advances. But there’s still far to go to attain success on our planet.

My earlier Google Blogger article “Worldwide Prosperity Is Possible: Some Suggested Steps Toward It” discussed certain aspects of this. Now I discuss several signs of progress over years, decades, and centuries, as well as some failures in our search for a just world.

Signs of Progress and of Limitations

In recent centuries slavery has been abolished in most of the world.
Still, it remains in some places.

Colonialism has ended in most places.
But it still remains in some..

Racial discrimination is decreasing.
But it still remains.

Sex discrimination has decreased.
But it still remains.

Immunizations to prevent diseases have virtually eliminated some illnesses.
But others remain widespread.

New medicines can often cure or at least alleviate many illnesses.
But more can be done.

Google Translate makes communication between persons using different languages easier.
But relatively few persons communicate with those of other languages.

Portable cell phones that can be carried in a pocket do marvelous things.
But we often use them for playing games instead of more useful purposes.

Desktop computers, laptops, iPads, USB flash drives, etc., provide abundant resources.
But we are sometimes overwhelmed with information and fail to maintain a balanced life.

Seat belts, child seats, etc., make automobile travel safer.
But reckless driving continues too often.

Water treatment systems make relatively safe water widely available.
But some areas still lack safe water.

Air quality is better than it was decades ago in many areas.
But widespread air pollution continues in a lot of urban places.

Modern jets, cars, ships, etc., make travel faster and easier than in the past.
But costs limit the number of persons who regularly access them.

The Internet makes almost unbelievable amounts of information accessible to most.
But we often fail to use it properly and often accept false information instead of facts. .

Formerly legal harmful drugs such as heroin are now banned.
But drug abuse persists even of legal drugs beneficial when used properly.

Multilateral resources like the United Nations help resolve world problems.
But selfish behavior of various nations limits the UN’s effectiveness.

International aid organizations help around the world.
But their resources are limited in the face of huge needs.

Modern production methods greatly increased production of quality foods and other goods.
But widespread droughts and some wars are leading to product shortages.

Cooperative methods of combatting natural disasters have advanced dramatically.
But increasing natural disaster severity increases property losses and risks to lives.

Actions to Undertake: The United States May Lead

The United States can take a leading role in helping achieve a just world. True, the United States is not as dominant economically in the world as it was a few decades ago. And its dominance in other areas remains questionable. But, overall the U.S. remains the most influential nation on Earth as I see it. This country needs to behave responsibly, make our United States flag (pictured below in a 2016 file photo of one near Lexington, Kentucky courthouses) a proud symbol of commitment to justice in our country and wherever it waves around the world via Navy ships, etc.

Let's seek to stop or greatly reduce drug abuse. It’s terrible that so many persons around the world abuse so many drugs in so many ways. Somehow we need to find a way to treat those currently doing it, and to prevent others from doing so in the future. U.S. citizens are major abusers of drugs. While stopping the inflow of illegal drugs to the U.S. is important, if our people stop desiring them, there won't be customers to import them to. Furthermore, we need to eliminate or greatly reduce the abuse of legal drugs that may be helpful when used properly.

Let's seek for international differences to be resolved fairly and peacefully, to eliminate or at least greatly reduce military abuses, including those of the U.S. military. The U.S. has the most powerful military in the world, and it needs to be used responsibly. Also, when U.S. military leaders and/or soldiers commit abuses, they need to be held accountable. It’s a horrible tragedy that in the 21st century human beings still do not manage to always settle differences fairly and peacefully without resorting to war and other forms of violent conflict.

Let's seek a worldwide commitment to integrity, to obedience to the highest righteous authority, which is a foundation of various major religions. Let's aim to put it into practice. Members of religions need to do a better job of teaching morals and correcting adherents in a loving way when those members fall short. Many of us in the U.S. pride ourselves on our nation's relative freedom of religion. In this country, I hope members of different faiths will genuinely seek the “true” faith whatever it may be.

More persons can give generously of their time, talents, and financial resources to help the needy help themselves. This may be the most important thing of all, when done under the leadership of the highest righteous authority, which I call God. U.S. citizens may already contribute generously locally, nationally, and internationally. But can do much more.

Together we can continue and accelerate progress toward a just world. Let’s seek to do so.

Fairness for All: Discrimination and Affirmative Action Don't Work

We need fairness, not ongoing discrimination and overdone affirmative action. Sadly, discrimination continues in many ways, while affirmative action exceeds reasonable bounds in other aspects.

I'll cite two hypothetical examples to illustrate extremes of discrimination and affirmative action.

For example, do any employers want to discriminate by refusing to hire any Hispanics or any women just for being Hispanic or female? I would hope not.

Similarly, would any professional basketball team in the NBA practice affirmative action by recruiting senior citizens as starters on their team? I hope not.

Let's seek equality of opportunity, while seeking fairness rather than either discrimination or affirmative action.

We need balance. Conflicts continue in modern 21st century society.

Disputes occur between:

*black and white,
*old and young,
*rich and poor,
*male and female,
*heterosexual and homosexual,
*Christian and atheist
*Jew and Muslim
*pro-life and pro-choice
*etc., etc.

Just as the world has numerous different colors, a few of which are pictured below, we humans enjoy numerous different views.

Furthermore, just as the image above only depicts a few of the immense variety of colors on Earth, any individual human can only assimilate a small portion of the immense amount of information available. No one knows all the facts. Indeed, it's been said that colors themselves are an illusion, but comprehending that may be beyond my limited knowledge.

We can seek to learn more and to properly apply what we learn. And while we'll never learn it all, we can at least accept that others may know things we don't, and accept that even where they may be wrong, we need to disagree without resorting to name-calling, violence, or disrespectful shouting.

Perhaps the most publicized divide in the United States is the one between liberals and conservatives. The organization Braver Angels is one group seeking to keep lines of communication open between the two. Several other groups seek to do so too.

We may never come to agreement on all issues. But we can at least seek to listen respectfully to the viewpoints of others, seek to understand where they’re coming from, and seek to express our own viewpoints respectfully. We can ask questions to learn more about where they’re coming from. At the least we can seek to disagree without arguing. In many cases a compromise can be reached that improves things for both groups.

One hot-button issue for me is abortion. I am strongly pro-life, opposed to abortion in almost all cases.

Below I use the pro-life vs. pro-choice dispute as an example of how to find common ground.

Ways to Find Common Ground on the Pro-life Versus Pro-Choice Issue

On the pro-life vs. pro-choice issue, I am strongly pro-life. But I can seek to sympathize and empathize with those who are pro-choice.

Even pro-life persons typically know that persons who are victims of rape, or who suddenly find themselves pregnant at a time when they lack the fiscal, emotional, or physical maturity to be a parent face a difficult situation.

Even pro-choice persons desire to avoid the risk, pain, and expense of an abortion if possible.

Pro-life and pro-choice persons can work together (depending on their particular views) to:

*prevent or at least substantially reduce rape,
*prevent or at least substantially reduce incest,
*prevent or at least substantially reduce irresponsible casual sexual intercourse,
*promote consistent use of effective contraceptives appropriate for particular beliefs,
*educate persons about adoption as an option for undesired children,
*inform persons of safe places to anonymously drop-off newborns as one resort,
*and to help out in numerous other ways to help solve the problems instead of just arguing.

Closing Thoughts

We can seek common ground on other issues in addition to abortion. But each of us reflects our unique background, heredity, and environment. Each of us have biases of some type (and yes, that includes me).

Furthermore, greed, selfishness, and laziness are obstacles to fairness. But if those with abundant resources seek to share with the needy, and each of us work productively at some task(s), we can make this world a much better place.

Monetary donations to charities like the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, CARE, local food banks, homeless shelters, job training programs, etc., can help enormously.

Volunteering time and talents when appropriate can help in numerous ways too. Each of us are gifted in various ways to help out.

We can meet and communicate respectfully with others who differ from us.

If you or I know of a particular need that we are able to meet better than others, we can help out by providing specific help to friends, neighbors, relatives, and/or others. In some cases we as individuals can alleviate problems in a way than an organized charity doesn’t.

However, commitment is key. We need to commit to wanting to listen with an open mind, wanting to learn, wanting to find ways to serve, and wanting to be fair. Together we can make this world a much better place. Let’s seek to do it.