Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’m sharing my thoughts and reflections on a lexicon (vocabulary specific to a certain subject) of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words. Ludic is defined as “playful, in an aimless way” and that’s my plan for approaching this challenge – keeping my feet on the joy trail and meandering wherever the daily word takes me.
D is for…
deliciate – to takes one’s pleasure, enjoy oneself, revel, feast, luxuriate. Obsolete, intrasative verb, from the 1900s.
Such a deliciously delightful, seemingly indulgent, concept. There are so many things that come to mind for me when I ponder this word. But what I really want to advocate is the idea that to deliciate should not be held as overly indulgent, but rather appreciated as a way to practice exquisite self-care.
I think a lot about self-care, and I really appreciate Parker Palmer’s stand that “Self-care is never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others.” I believe it’s important at all times, but especially during wobble-inducing times when our practices tend to fall by the wayside. I think if we all had firmly established self-care practices that help keep us in balance, move us back into equilibrium, and then hopefully tip us into joy, our stability, our light, our centeredness would become so foundational if we do wobble, we can bounce back much more quickly.
Given that we’re sovereign beings with the responsibility of mindful guardianship of our energy and thoughts, I like paying attention to my own self-care practices. To my mind it’s certainly a matter that invites frequent reassessment. I believe that self-care is more a dynamic flow of nuanced responses rather than a rigid to-do list. And so it requires rather broad structures as framework, but the specifics vary greatly. There are times in our lives, our decades, our days, when we’re better at it, and times when we flounder, but there is always always the invitation to listen and respond to the question, how can I honor and care for myself?
Currently some of the things I’m deliciating in:
- My 100-day project. Every morning in the time it takes to brew the first pot of coffee, I draw a whimsical bee and take a photo so I can post it to Instagram. I LOVE this practice – it sets the tone for the day of playful creativity; the short amount of time I allot helps keep me loose, playful, and without any pressure to create something wonderful. And after 100 days I’ll have a collection of little bees that delight my heart. How can you beat that?
- I’ve really leveled up my fascination with plants this past year. They’ve somehow helped my maintain my sanity during the sequestering and wobbliness. We’ve got some mutual nurturing going on, and it makes my heart happy and my emotional body far more peaceful.
- Listening to audiobooks has become a delightful daily practice. I’d forgotten how much I love being read to, and listening a little every day is like exponentially extending a wonderful treat. And a truth for me is there can never be too many books!
- Deliciate is associated with feasting as well, and I’ve got that covered. My beloved gifted me with a fabulous year-long subscription and each month at the time of the new moon, I receive a box of artisan chocolates and something else, often a crystal. Pure heaven.
Each one of these things helps me stay grounded and centered, feel good, and focuses my appreciation. I absolutely believe that we honor things when we pay attention to them (which of course makes it sound advice not to give attention to what you don’t wish to honor). I think it’s perfectly possible to wrap/adorn yourself and your energy in ways that feel self-nurturing, joyful, and delicious. And all those elements are constituents of exquisite self-care aren’t they?
So there you have it, a peek at some probably not-so-obvious self-care practices that are part of my life these days. What about you? Have a favorite practice? What do you find delicious, pleasurable, luxurious? Which of your senses are asking for a bit more attention? What piece of delight are you going to welcome into your world? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
At first I thought it was delicate. I am enjoying your bees on Insta. Self-care is hard to get in the habit of doing. Another good one, Deborah!
I love the surprise of those little trickster words where you think they’re one thing, but it turns out they are another.
I’m having a delightful time communing with my whimsical bees for a few minutes every morning. Glad you’re enjoying them, Janet.
How sad that a word with that meaning should disappear – perhaps it says a lot about modern life!
https://iainkellywriting.com/2021/04/05/the-state-trilogy-a-z-guide-d/
I think it does say something about our modern life Iain. Sometimes it amuses me that I’m so fascinated with obscure and archaic words. I want to yank so many of them out of their dusty closets and bring their wisdom into today’s world.
Just reading this relaxes me. What a wonderful word for self-care. I like the idea of the daily bee doodle. The year I did a coloring a day for a year while listening to new music was a wonderful practice to relax and enjoy just being. Plant caretaking is a joy for me. The indoor ones keep me company and I love watching the plants morph over seasons outside.
My “D” Tull song is here:
http://tao-talk.com/2021/04/05/a2z-2021-day-4-doctor-to-my-disease-from-catfish-rising-1991/
What a fabulous practice – I can just feel how nurturing that was.
Is there a link to your Instagram? I’d love to see your bees!
Black and White: D for Dorado
I’m @deborahaweber
The direct link: https://www.instagram.com/deborahaweber/
I love your 100-day project! What is your IG account, to see your little bees?
Quilting Patchwork & Appliqué
@DeborahAWeber
Hari OM
oh, and I deliciate in your 100-day project… loving seeing it pop up each day on my IG reader!!!
My self-care does need a little work, still. Getting back on the writing workhorse with AZ is part of it – not reprimanding myself for wanting midnight snacks… and I have connected with an artist from whom I am purchasing two pieces for my birthday. An indulgence? Yes – but not overly so and the pleasure they will bring every day goes far beyond that! YAM xx
These sound like wonderful things, Yamini – good for you! I know 2020 was quite a year for you, and settling back in your home and finding a rhythm that suits and supports is no small thing. I’m happily celebrating you.
We have a shower but once a week I have a bath with breakfast and a book…
I’d call that perfect.
I am trying to keep this ageing body from deteriorating too rapidly by doing something enjoyable every day. Most days are covered with my early morning outdoor aqua fit classes. One day a week I do a bike ride (with a coffee stop on the way). I just went for a surf with my boogie board and wondered why I didn’t do it more often. A bush walk and picnic on Sunday was uplifting. Again I must do it more often. It’s just about making the effort.
Good for you, Linda! I hope you stay inspired to keep it up,
Great word today. I really appreciated the quote on self-care. Very astute and a great way to think about it.
It is a really helpful perspective, isn’t it?
What a nice word. It definitely rolls off the tongue.
Yes. I really love that.
Deliciate is like delicious and doesn’t have to refer to food/drink, but is the act of finding pleasure and savoring it. I would love to see those artisan chocolates. (and hear about your favorites)
The chocolates arrive in time for each new moon. I’ll have to remember to take a photo or two. It’s always an exquisite moment of indecision when making the first choice. After all, you can’t have your chocolate and eat it too.
Obscure words are fascinating. These days self care is essential but the older you get the present pandemic makes it more and more difficult to achieve successfully.
It’s true, Bob; I won’t argue there are plenty of challenges.
May I add reading your posts to my list of deliciations? (at least for the month of April)
Like you, I have taken my love affair with the plants and weeds I call mine to the next level. And I’m loving the escapes these rendezvous offer.
Being on the mat (whether to sit or to practise) is my other delicious way to deliciate.
Thank you for reminding me about audio books. I’ve been watching my favourite gardening shows these days which are bliss, too.
Something I’ve been thinking a lot about is that amidst all the challenges, hardships, and grief this past year has opened us to, it has also provided the opportunity to deepen our practices and our loves. I keep thinking about the concept of more depth and less breadth. I think there is much to be gained by this deepening (and has been), but it seems strange to me not many people are talking about it. Always more mysteries to ponder…
oh ho ho rolls off the tongue so beautifully
and love how you turn it on its side into self care
A timely reminder for me
this is the beacon I needed
thank you
It is a source of great delight for me that way the universe arranges for us to find reminders in the most unlikely places. So glad you found one here, Sandra.
I have gotten back into building blanket first during lockdown. Strangely enough, they do wonders for my mental health.
Also, I want to know what that artisan chocolate service is! 🙂
The Multicolored Diary
Blanket forts are fabulous, and I certainly understand their appeal and benefit.
The artisanal chocolate is from a local-to-Chicago treasure Vosges Haut-Chocolat. Every month when I receive the package I think about the movie Chocolat, which I clearly need to watch again.
What a delightful word. It really deserves to be reborn.
I am, of course, deliciating in the A to Z Challenge this month, but when it’s over I will still enjoy the company of my many large houseplants – my flat does have a certain resemblance to a jungle!
Here’s my E!
I agree, Keith; deliciate deserves a revival.
Your house jungle sounds fabulous and the perfect setting to recuperate after April.
I once had a dictionary filled with forgotten and obsolete words; I lost it in one of my moves many years ago, but I remember the word deliciate was listed within its pages. 🙂
A lost dictionary filled with lost words – seems rather fitting.