1. Sunday afternoon naps – This hardly needs explaining. What could be more comforting and
relaxing that a few leisurely hours on a couch or, better yet, in a hammock (Hammocks are by far one of the greatest inventions of mankind. As a kid I had one in a corner of my room, stretched from a wall to the one adjacent. It was used to hold my collection of random stuffed bears, rabbits, and other fuzzy creatures either won at the fair or bought from Toys-R-Us. I remember being jealous that they got to sleep all day while I had to go to school.) When I grow up, get old and retire, I am going to have a couch (for the winter) and a hammock (for the summer) dedicated solely to Sunday afternoon napping.2. Shane and Shane – This is a Christian worship band that I have completely connected
with, musically and lyrically. There is no other band that is more effective in provoking me to worship God than these guys. Their hearts are set on the Lord and it shows in their music. They have a song for every one of my meandering moods. Their concerts, which are more like worship sessions than performances, are even better than their albums (how many groups can say that?). And yes, to the right is an actual picture of Shane, myself, and Shane. Don't we look tight, like we're bro's? That's cause we are. I've been to more concerts of their's than I can count or remember.3. Early evening jogs in the fall – Its purifying. Nothing disconnects me more from the false reality I live in day-in and day-out. The autumn season provides a spectacular spectrum of color and as I try to catch my breath its as if I suck in the actuality of God’s creation. Roads I drive down multiple times a day suddenly take on a foreign form as plants that line them come alive with beauty and vibrancy. Houses become more that fleeting facades with real families living and breathing inside. While the running temporarily weakens the body, the mind is tunneled into simple thinking. It becomes one tracked and allows you to contemplate on specific thoughts with more depth. Then, when the running is done and you return home, you feel tired, but more alive than you’ve ever been.
4. Television Shows – a lot of people will probably have something to same about this one, but I honestly don’t care. I love finding a great show to totally obsess about. There is a lot of enjoyment to be found in being completely caught up in the action and drama of television. Some shows that have done it for me: 24, Lost, Alias, Friends and (most recently) Battlestar Galactica (don’t judge it unless you’ve seen it).
5. Sleeping under stars – I think Donald Miller took words out of my mouth when he wrote Through Painted Deserts, "I gaze up at the night sky, this love letter from God to creation, this reminder that somewhere there is peace, somewhere there is order, and I think about how great His kingdom is, and is going to be, and I wonder, in this rare and beautiful moment, how could I ever want to walk away from it all. There are so many stars I will dream of them. I open my eyes and see stars, then close them and see stars… I am finally seeing how good life is, how beautiful it is".
6. Reading a book – Hopefully this one will win back favor lost favor from the television bit. Reading is a relatively new habit for me. I’ve read books in the past, and enjoyed them. But they have been few and far between. Recent events in life have allowed me time and opportunity to read far more than I ever have. I’ve lost count of how many books I’ve read in the past year, but it’s been at least thirty. There is now not a single book that I own that has not been read cover to cover. To give a few of my favorites would require a list all its own. But take it from me, a former none reader, its one of the best things you can do for yourself. I’ve learned more on my own in the past year from reading than I ever have in some school or university. Be smart, self educate, READ!
7. Road trips – Long car rides with friends (the more the merrier). Some of the defining moments in friendships are forged during road trips. Inside jokes no one else could possibly understand, inevitable once in a lifetime situations (man I could tell some stories), contemplations on the perfect woman, serious conversations on the meaning of life – all fine qualities of a good ole fashioned road trip.
8. Mission trips – not to be confused with the aforementioned road trips (though sometimes they coincide). This is a broad category that could be constituted by a number of different things. They can be long or short-termed, and are marked by the expressed purpose of helping others. The ironic thing is most often mission trips reveal and minister more to those on the trips than those being ‘ministered’ too. A very smart man once told me the best way to help your self is to help others. I think he was right. I went to a college for a while where the motto was, “not to be ministered unto, but to minister,” which was the life dedication of this college’s founder. While that college failed to live up to the motto (which is why it will remain unnamed), there is still much to be said about such a bold statement when put to action. Though it is somewhat of a narcissistic pleasure, mission work also aides others. So its double to pleasure, double the fun (much of like Wrigle’s double-mint gum which leads my to the next pleasure, sort-of). 
9. Food – Granny’s biscuits and gravy. ‘nough said.
