Have you given in to a pleasure?

Have you ever given in to a pleasure just for the sake of it? I am talking here about a pleasure as in from purely hedonistic perspective! Well, hedonism can mean different things to different people. For some, playing a musical instrument all night long, for others it could be spending the whole night just talking with special someone, yet for others it may mean cheering themselves up drinking liqueur and being merry, yet for others it may mean indulging in a chocolate cake, while for others it may as well giving in to sexual pleasures.

Have you done it?

Have you ever done something just for yourself without actually thinking about the outcome, as any rational individual would do? Have you been spontaneous on the spur of the moment, did something really silly, without actually restraining yourself, not contemplating about the denouement?

Should you really do it?

I think main stream hindu mythology and holy scriptures teaches to practice of self-restrain as way to attain one-ness with The God. All practices and services that we offer concentrate on this central theme of self-control. In my opinion, this teaches you very many characteristics of a noble man. It teaches you how to keep your senses and desires in control. Afterall, someone has rightly said, "Self restrain is a virtue attained by practice and not a quality possessed by birth." The society that we live in defines moral grounds in addition to that of your own. I think these practices help you to become a balanced man (woman, if you are of other gender).

But afterall, you get only one life to live.

Ummar Khayyam, a famous Iranian poet says (I plagiarized from his fan website):

Whether at Naishapur or Babylon,

Whether the Cup with sweet or bitter run,

The Wine of Life keeps oozing drop by drop,

The Leaves of Life keep falling one by one.

What a nice observation, afterall (if you believe in evloution-one life theory), whatever you have right now is the best chance you've got. Be it for achieving something or enjoying life in many ways as it comes! Enjoying yourself with small pleasures of life, is I think, a healthy outlet for your emotions, if executed in control. Afterall, we all are human beings, we have emotions and needs. And, being a materialistic person does not mean you are walking on the wrong path, if you know where to draw the line between right and wrong!

So indulge yourself something that you really enjoy, be it reading a good book or cooking something that you like or may be treating your friends for brunch! Enjoy, life is too short to pass by!