Finding the Sweetness in Everyday Life
In August, my husband and I went on an Alaskan cruise. To say the least, it was breathtaking and beyond amazing. We saw whales rolling and playing in the water, a baby bear along the rode by the river, and endless landscapes that looked like paintings brought to life. The mountains rose up tall and majestic, the air felt fresh and clean in my lungs, and the quiet stillness of Alaska seemed to hold us in a gentle hug.
Talk about sweet.
That trip reminded me of something so simple, yet so easy to forget: life itself is filled with sweetness—if only we pause long enough to notice it.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting you have to book a seven-day cruise every time you want to taste life’s sweetness (though, if you can, I highly recommend it!). What I’m really talking about are those small, everyday pauses that let us soak in the richness of being alive.
Sweetness can be found in so many ways:
Reading a poem that stirs your heart—maybe a verse from Hafiz or Rumi.
Whispering sweet words to your beloved. Three little words, “I love you,” can be the sweetest gift you ever give.
Offering a surprise act of kindness—doing something unexpected to make someone else’s day brighter.
Enjoying the natural sweetness of food. A roasted sweet potato with cinnamon. A square of dark chocolate melting on your tongue. Even those small moments can remind you: the earthitself is sweet.
Swami Chidvilasananda once said, “The entire universe is filled with sweetness.” Isn’t that beautiful?
The Yogic View of Sweetness
In yoga, there’s a Sanskrit word, Sukha, which means easeful, happy, and agreeable. Sukha is the opposite of strain and struggle—it’s that sense of openness and joy that makes life feel sweet. When we bring Sukha into our practice—whether on the mat in a yoga pose or in meditation—we soften the hard edges. We allow more breath, more space, more sweetness to flow through us.
Yoga’s sister science, Ayurveda, has its own way of talking about sweetness. There’s a word, Madhura Rasa, which refers to the sweet taste. In Ayurveda, sweet taste doesn’t just mean sugar; it’s connected to nourishment, strength, and contentment. When we invite sweetness onto our plates and into our lives, we invite balance.
Why Sweetness Matters
Let’s be honest: in the modern world, many of us are burned out, tired, over-scheduled, and running on empty. We push ourselves to the limit, chasing deadlines, obligations, and the never-ending to-do list. Inspiration gets lost in the shuffle, and life begins to feel more like survival than celebration.
That’s why I believe we need sweetness more than ever.
Not just in food, but in how we live, how we move, how we speak to ourselves, and how we see the world around us. Sweetness is a balm. It restores us, softens us, and reminds us of the beauty that’s always present.
How to Bring More Sweetness Into Your Life
The good news? Sweetness isn’t hard to find. It doesn’t require a vacation or a grand gesture. It just requires intention. Here are some simple ways you can sprinkle more sweetness into your days:
Light a seasonal candle. Let the aroma fill your space. Scents have a powerful way of shifting our mood. A pumpkin spice or vanilla candle in autumn can instantly make the day feel cozier.
Eat something naturally sweet. Start your morning with a piece of fruit or bake a sweet potato and sprinkle it with cinnamon. Notice the nourishment and pleasure of it.
Say sweet words to yourself. Louise Hay encouraged people to look in the mirror and speak affirmations. Try telling yourself: “I am lovable. I am beautiful. I am enough.” It may feel awkward at first, but it’s deeply healing.
Keep a “sweetness list.” In your journal or phone, write down moments that feel sweet. Maybe it’s a hug from your child, laughter with a friend, or the way the light dances on the water. Over time, this list becomes a reminder that sweetness is everywhere.
Move your body with gratitude. Roll out your yoga mat and move with awareness. Let your practice be less about “achieving” and more about savoring the sweetness of simply inhabiting your body.
Breathe it in. Right now, take a slow, deep breath. Notice the sweetness of being alive in this very moment. That’s all it takes—a pause to remember.
The Practice
I want to leave you with an action step—a practice to bring sweetness into your life this week.
The Sweetness Pause
Once a day, pause for just one minute.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in through your nose, and let it out slowly.
Ask yourself: What feels sweet right now? Maybe it’s the warmth of your coffee mug, the sound of birds outside, or the smile of someone you love.
Name it. Acknowledge it. Let yourself really feel it.
Do this every day for one week. By the end of the week, you’ll start to notice that sweetness isn’t rare—it’s everywhere, waiting for you to see it.
Life will always have its challenges.
There will always be deadlines, heartbreaks, and responsibilities. But alongside all of that, there is also sweetness: in the laughter, in the stillness, in the small everyday wonders.
When we slow down enough to savor it, life doesn’t just become easier—it becomes richer, more beautiful, and yes, infinitely sweeter.
So take a breath. Light that candle. Whisper those kind words. And remind yourself: the universe is already filled with sweetness—you just have to taste it.
✨ Your Turn: Try the Sweetness Pause this week and notice how your perspective shifts. Then ask yourself: How can I bring a little more sweetness into my day today?