I was walking around a lake by my house like I do twice a week.
I walked past an old man.
I noticed him because he had a music playing on speakers. It was a classical peice I wasn't familiar with. I looked over and saw he was reading a book, wearing sunglasses and a had to keep out the sun, sitting on a park bench.
It semeed to me that was a fine way to spend an afternoon. What really got me thinking though was the effort he put into having a good time reading a book. I felt like I learned something important seeing him. He put a lot of effort before hand into relaxing. When I read I usually just pick up and book and sit in my computer chair or lay on my bed. He was definiately enjoying reading more than I was.
All he did was take an exta few minutes to get a good hat, a good song ready and probably a quick drive or walk to the park. I work a lot, and when I have free time I am generally so happy to have it I don't think much what I'm going to do with it. How much better could all the things I do be if I just put a little bit of thought into making them great experiences.
I thought instead of just meditating in the morning, right before I could light some insense and put some nature sounds on. Instead of reading a book I can go to a coffee shop and read.