The mysterious quote above came from an AP article I read today about skate (a type of fish similar to a stingray) that in South Korea is fermented for so long, the aroma smells like rotting garbage...........and that is according to those who enjoy this dish! As you can tell from the quote above, even enthusiasts experienced a constricting of the throat and severe gagging reflex when they initially tried this food.
By now you are wondering why on earth I am sharing this with all of you. This story illustrated a point I have been thinking about regarding pleasure. Despite how horrific this rotting fish may be, there are thousands of people in South Korea who are borderline addicted to the substance because of the rush they get from eating it. That "rush" of adrenaline comes from the bodies strong reaction to try to combat the assault on the body. Hence the phrase "it's a freaking punch to the face."
The same concept is true of people who, for example, engage in brutal hand-to-hand combat for entertainment. Scientists discovered long ago that there is a curious link between pleasure and pain. Some people consume spicier and spicier foods, not for the flavor but to chase that adrenaline that comes from the body reacting to heat levels above one's tolerance. There are adrenaline junkies who engage in continuous extreme sports, double marathons, or simply push themselves during ever more dangerous activities. I used to think that there was something deeply wrong with people who watch dark horror movie after dark horror movie. Most of these films seem so evil to me. And yet, when I have met on occasion individuals who spend their free time repeatedly watching various horror movies, I have found them to be pleasant people by and large. They just enjoy chasing the rush.
This need to chase a rush for pleasure is an impediment to our spiritual well-being. Not only does it dull our sensitivity to spiritual promptings but it also promotes a lifestyle that cannot stay still and that is looking for the next "high", not too dissimilar to a drug addict. Obviously, this is milder than drug addiction but the concept is the same. One of the biggest blessings of living the gospel is a quiet sense of peace. That can be much harder to achieve if we are chasing these endorphin rushes.
On the other hand, so much of this life is about trying new things and new ideas. Most human beings tend to play life safe and pay a big price as a result. Some of the most enjoyable experiences a person can have come from challenging our comfort zones and pushing ourselves past our limits. Perhaps not in an extreme way but pushing ourselves nonetheless. However, this isn't necessarily a pursuit of new for the sake of being new or chasing adrenaline. This is about growing and experiencing all of the many wonderful things God put on this earth for us to enjoy.
So what is the balance? That can sometimes be a tricky question. As is the case with almost everything in life, the answer comes from the age old missionary dilemma of how to teach investigators. How much do you adhere to the strict outline that is given by our wisest leaders? How much do you "teach by the spirit" and rely on inspiration and the mood of the moment? Life always needs a balance. But recognizing that there is a balance is important. On my mission, teaching by the spirit had a bad wrap to a certain degree. You could say the same thing about seeking pleasure in life. It's important to understand why these things get bad names because neither one is inherently bad. It takes level-headed decision making to ensure the best course.
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