The Benefits of Comfort

Comfort.
Being comfortable.

What comes to mind when you feel the word comfort? Allow yourself to turn the word over in your mind and take note of what images and feelings you get. Interesting exercise this, as it allows you to learn a little more about yourself, if you let it.

For me, comfort means feeling safe and happy.

A big bed piled with pillows and blankets and throws.
Snuggling under a quilt on a winter's day with my daughters watching a much-loved movie.
A steaming hot cup of tea and a good book - most likely in that bed again.
A long phone conversation with a good friend.
A home-cooked meal enjoyed as a family.
Photos of my kids.
A new book by a favourite author - or just a favourite book.
Piles of freshly washed and folded laundry waiting to be put away.
A drawer full of prettily scented and ironed tea towels (this is where you start to get an idea of my strange little habits).

I believe that we all need comfort in our lives. I'm not talking about the comfort zone here - that is a whole other post - but actual, physical comforts.
The things we do that give us the feeling of "life doesn't get much better than this."
Or the things we turn to when we need reminding that this too shall pass.

These are rituals we bring into our lives to soothe our souls. They are intensely personal and strikingly individual. It helps to be aware of both what they are, and the reasons we use them.
Sometimes I want comfort because it's a cold and grey day. Sometimes I am sad. Sometimes I just need alone time to rejuvenate.

If we become aware of our comforts, then we know that when we crave them, we are mindful of them. We know then that we need to be comforted, that there is something not quite right within our world.

We stop just doing and become a thoughtful being.

There is less drift and more direction.

And that leads to more comfort within.

A nice goal.