Being a Hedonist

I am a hedonist by any definition. Although hedonism has taken on a very incorrect connotation in our modern times. 

What is a hedonist?

The original definition of a hedonist is one who seeks the joy, pleasure and sweetness of life. 

I really do appreciate the sweetness of life, and take joy and pleasure from it. 

It took me a long time to realize this. For a long time I thought I was just a loser, and everyone else was superior to me because I couldn’t find joy in the diminished, canned culture that they were so interested in. Their songs didn’t make sense to me and I could never eat poor quality food (unless it was Italian, because I’m Italian and almost anything Italian is good food to me. Mind you, Chef Boyardee doesn’t make the cut.)

My mother would always say, “Anthony you have champagne taste on a beer budget.” I just had to figure out a way to get a champagne budget, because, sorry, but I don’t drink beer.

I think I listen to bodies, objects and people’s loud thoughts, a lot closer than most people do. 

When I was in high school, I lived in New Jersey and my car stereo was stolen out of my car. I didn’t have the money to get it fixed, but even if I did, it wasn’t a priority for me. My friends could not understand how I could drive around for three years without a stereo. But I always hated the loud noise of music. I think the other part was that I would rather listen to the whispers of the universe than music. 

I used to think about creating movies, and I would have been good at it because I can see how people’s feet move, the lines in their hands, I can look at someone’s body and see how their choices have created their body over time and exactly where each choice manifests. We are all actors on the stage of life and I have a knack for casting people based on their energy and movements.

I also like watching bodies move through space. Watching exceptional athletes perform is the equivalent of going to a symphony for me. It is a symphony of muscles, tissue and consciousness coming together. 

Hedonism takes many forms. The love of eating, the love of driving in your car, the love of touch & caress. 

When we are in deep judgment of ourselves there is a huge wall between us and hedonism. That is why giving up judgment of yourself is so truly important. It can be a long journey, but it is the only door to true pleasure, joy and consciousness. 

What is hedonistic for you?