Embracing the Joy in Life’s Simple Pleasures
Yesterday I blogged about G. K. Chesterton’s use of the metaphor of dandelions in Appreciating The Dandelion. Following that metaphor in his Autobiography, Chesterton went on to use the metaphor of a lamp-post, saying, “I originally said that a cockney lamp-post painted pea-green was better than no light or no life; and that if it was a lonely lamp-post, we might really see its light better against the background of the dark.” That lamp-post, even though not that beautiful, was significant in bringing light.
Chesterton went on to speak of the millionaire who had lamp-posts painted a more beautiful color saying, “has two million five thousand new lamp-posts, all ready painted not a Victorian pea-green but a Futuristic chrome yellow and electric blue, and that he will plant them over the whole world in such numbers that nobody will notice them, especially as they will all look exactly the same” (p. 345). He went on to say, “A lamp-post can be significant although it is ugly. But he is not making lamp-posts significant; he is making them insignificant” (p. 345). The pea-green lamp-post in this metaphor was more significant and enjoyed because it was needed for light and the light was seen against the darkness.
Finally, Chesterton said, “The real difficulty of man is not to enjoy lamp-posts or landscapes, not to enjoy dandelions or chops; but to enjoy enjoyment” (p. 345). Chesterton’s use of the lamp-post as a metaphor emphasized that the true challenge isn’t simply in appreciating the external objects or experiences themselves, but in genuinely enjoying the act of enjoyment itself. In other words, he suggested that many people miss out on the richness of life because they lack the ability to find joy in the simple, everyday moments and pleasures. Chesterton wanted us to learn that cultivating an appreciation for the act of appreciating—finding joy in the very process of experiencing—is itself a valuable and meaningful pursuit. This encourages a mindset of mindfulness and gratitude, reminding us to slow down and truly savor life’s small wonders rather than seeking constant novelty or superficial pleasure.
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