"لذت ابتدا در انتظار یافت می‌شود، سپس در حافظه."

This quote captures a deeply human truth about how we experience joy. It's saying that the real joy of an experience isn't just in the moment itself but in the build-up before and the memories after. Think about it—when you’re looking forward to a holiday, you get that fluttery feeling of excitement. You imagine all the places you'll visit, the food you'll taste, the adventures you'll have. That anticipation lights up your days. Then, when the holiday is over, you reminisce about it, reliving your favorite moments in your mind, sharing stories with friends, and flipping through photos. Both the buildup and the memories are powerful sources of pleasure.

Historically, this idea has been around for a long time. Ancient philosophers like Epicurus and more recent thinkers have pondered the nature of happiness and pleasure. Epicurus, for instance, believed that the anticipation of a pleasure is often more intense than the pleasure itself. This isn't a new thought, but it's a timeless one because it taps into a fundamental aspect of the human experience.

Let’s bring this down to earth with a real-life example. Imagine you’re planning a big birthday party. Weeks before the event, you’re dreaming about all the details—the music playlist, the guest list, the cake, the decorations. You can almost hear the laughter and see everyone having a great time. This anticipation is exciting and delightful. Finally, the day comes, and it’s fantastic. When it’s over, you look back at the photos and laugh about the funny moments. You tell stories from the party for years to come. The pleasure isn’t just in the few hours of the party but in the weeks of anticipation and the years of memories.

So how can you apply this to your own life? Start by being mindful of the things you're looking forward to. Savor the anticipation. If you’ve got a vacation planned, let yourself daydream about it. Talk about it with friends. Research places to visit and things to do. Build that excitement. After the experience, take time to reflect on it. Share your memories. Look at pictures. Write about it in a journal. By doing this, you stretch the joy over a longer period, rather than just in the moment.

Imagine this scenario: You’ve booked a weekend getaway to a cozy cabin in the mountains. As the date approaches, you find yourself daydreaming about the crackling fireplace, the smell of pine trees, and the quiet mornings with a cup of coffee in hand. You talk about it with your friends, who share in your excitement. You plan the hikes you’ll take and the books you’ll read. When the weekend finally arrives, it’s everything you hoped for—peaceful, beautiful, and rejuvenating. But the joy doesn’t end there. Months later, you’re still talking about that perfect getaway. You smile every time you think about it. You even frame a photo from the trip and hang it in your living room.

To wrap it up, remember that joy isn’t just about the moment itself. It’s about the excitement leading up to it and the memories that linger after. So, embrace the anticipation, enjoy the moment, and cherish the memories. By doing this, you’ll find that pleasure is a thread that weaves through your life, not just a fleeting moment.