If it Feels Good

We hear the saying, " If it feels good, do it". Where do we find pleasure in this? Is pleasure just a feeling that comes from our emotions? Is true pleasure only found in doing what is good? Maybe it is the "it" that is the pleasure. Nailing down what pleasure really is can be complex and prone to opinions. Since it is what everyone pursues and wants to acquire, it is a good subject to study for a while.

We equate happiness with having a certain amount of pleasure. When we educate children, our goal is to get them to take pleasure in doing what is good. We use examples of pain and pleasure to teach good character. It makes sense that we would define this further.

When we talk about pleasure, it is more than a feeling. They come and go. It is a product of feelings and other things. We can say that happiness is a culmination of pleasures. It comes from both the rational and irrational part of our soul. We get pleasure out of getting what we desire and also out of doing what is right. There is action involved too. Pleasure isn't an action itself but can be a product of them.

When we use the word "sensual" in our culture, it is applied to sex. But sensual in a strict sense is merely using our senses. So when a desire or creativity comes from our soul and we take action, it becomes a part of our senses rather than something in our mind. We see a painting and it gives us pleasure through sight. If we create it, the pleasure can be more because it came from our own mind. To hear someone is better than just thinking about them. But the kind of pleasure that is a well-being pleasure is more than something our senses pick up alone. Someone who doesn't like music doesn't enjoy it when it is picked up by their hearing as well as someone who likes it. What our senses pick up is the realm that is commonly called reality; an area that doesn't always include our soul.

Pleasure is derived from a combination of things that converge together. A person can enjoy some things in life but still be miserable inside. Pleasure includes fulfillment of our desires, doing what is right and accomplishments that involve our senses. Absent any of these, we feel something's missing even while the others seem good. To find ways to appeal to each area while we live out our lives can be challenging but the goal is to make it a pleasurable experience.

This is a quick overview of the subject. I am not sure if I am going to go to the next one or be a little more specific. Until next time!