We would like to invite to you to contribute an example of something that you or a family member, really enjoys doing; all we ask for is a few descriptive words:
- What gives you pleasure
- Why it gives you such pleasure
- How you might recommend it to others
Your contribution can be anything from a single sentence to several pages, but with your permission, we will edit and print your words and we may contact you to learn more about your activity.
The resource we produce will be a creation made by the Pompe community to benefit and inspire the Pompe community, and we look forward to sharing it with you all later this year.
To contribute your example of a pleasurable activity, please complete our form by following this link:
To kick things off, Allan and Alex have added their contributions to show the sort of activity we're looking for:
Example 1: – Allan: Wine Tasting
After a busy and exhausting day, I will often enjoy a glass of wine with a meal. After choosing a wine to complement the evening meal and carefully removing and examining the cork, I’m taken into a different world where I can be mindful of the wine’s beautifully clear and graduated colours, the way the swirling liquid settles in the glass and the intensity of the aromas released. I contemplate the fruits evoked by its aroma and taste and note their intensity. I count the number of seconds the pleasure lingers in my mouth. I try to think of the part of the world that produced the wine, its warm sun ripening the grapes on a gentle slope, and all the people involved in its production. I promise myself that one day I will visit the château that gave such delight. Then I slowly come back to Earth, wipe clean my shirt and eat my dinner. Mindfully, of course!
My introduction to wine appreciation was evening classes at a local school. Students of other subjects were very jealous of our course materials! Local Wine Societies can be very good groups to learn more about the subject.
The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) run courses that anyone can join, I took their distance-learning course with an assigned tutor. That taught me about wine production and how to fully appreciate it; I found it both fascinating and rewarding. I also received an NVQ3 Certificate to proudly display on my office wall – an A-level in wine! It also gave me the confidence to run a few charity fundraising events – The Buriton Wine Challenge.
Example 2 – Alex: Playing the Guitar
If I have had a busy day or just need a 5-minute breather, I pick up my guitar and sit down to play songs I enjoy. I taught myself to play guitar at around 17 years old when I was inspired by a family friend playing around a campfire, where I saw the joy the music brought to the group of people around him, and I wanted to share that special experience wherever I went.
I find playing my guitar so calming and therapeutic, even if I just play one song, it gives me a chance to breathe and take a break from the world for a few minutes. I find the whole experience so enjoyable, with music, (and the other arts), being such a tonic for fun, well-being and healing.
I taught myself to play guitar but I would recommend having lessons or using online tutorials to learn the basics. I am in no way a great guitarist but it doesn't stop me from loving the sound and feel that holding a guitar brings me. I think if you love to do something it doesn't matter how good you are at it, it's the journey that helps brings the joy.
I previously found that having my guitar tucked away in its case meant I played it less, so I would recommend having your instrument to hand to play at any time you feel the urge. Whether it be on a wall hanging or on a floor stand, I now find I can pick up my guitar and play it for a while and then carry on with my day. This has helped me enormously and gives me so much satisfaction and peace of mind, and helps me throughout my life.
Ideas for other Pleasurable Activities you may enjoy:
Friends and Family:
- Talking
- Hugging
- Laughter of children
- Babysitting/child minding
- Partying
- Caring for children or a relative
Lifestyle:
- Eating well - Favourite food and drink
- Comfortable clothes
- Fresh bedlinen and nightwear
- Happy places
- Caring for pets and other animals
- Dog-walking
Hobbies and pastimes:
- Art and crafts
- Astronomy
- Birdwatching
- Cooking
- DIY - home projects
- Fishing
- Gardening
- Music – playing or listening
- Nature
- Poetry
- Reading or Writing
- Singing – alone or with others
- Videos or podcasts
- Walk in the park
- Wine tasting
Work and education:
- Achieving a goal
- Employment
- Learning something new
- Volunteering
Giving – Receiving:
- Volunteering
- Fundraising
- Shared experiences with a local or online community
Mental Wellbeing:
- Enjoying the rising or setting sun.
- Happy Place
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Memories: Diary, photo collections
- Prayer
Physical Activities:
- Aerobics
- Cycling
- Horse-riding
- Hydrotherapy
- Massage
- Pilates
- Sport
- Stretching
- Swimming
- Walking
- Yoga
Entertainment:
- Computer/electronic games
- Holidays – Abroad or at home
- Listening to Music, podcasts, concerts
- Museums and Galleries
- Reading Books, magazines, websites
- Sports – as a Spectator
- Watching films and videos
Relaxation:
- Aromatherapy - Scented candles
- Babbling brook
- Breaking waves
- Catnaps
- Cup of tea
- Darkened room
- Deep breathing
- First sip of coffee
- Hot bath or shower
- Silence
- Sleep
- Wind through the trees
We look forward to hearing from you!
