“Is Thinking Good for Its Own Sake?” 

        According to Williams, “To say that something is intrinsically good means that nothing else is needed to justify it or make it good.” I believe that something is intrinsically good when it is valuable even if it does not have a practical purpose.

My list of 20 intrinsically good things:

1. quality coffee

2. coloring pages

3. chocolate

4. painting

5. candlelight

6. peace

7. flowers

8. swings

9. crafts

10. literature (defined as the best expression of the best thought)

11. bubbles

12. Christmas lights

13. faith

14. horses

15. dress-up

16. exploring

17. cookies

18. traditions

19. traveling

20. dancing

        One of my favorite memories of a time that I experienced something intrinsically good was my first visit to Pour Jon’s coffee shop. A group of my closest newly-made friends and I decided to go for coffee late at night. Walking in the door, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of wonder over the authenticity of the environment. The first thing that my senses registered was the intense smell of fresh coffee. I breathed deeply, enjoying the way it instantly relaxed my shoulders and relieved the tension caused by adjusting to college life. Vintage light bulbs hung from the ceiling, casting soft light over the booths; the red brick and plaster walls were covered with Sharpie drawings of every kind as well as the signatures of faithful patrons and famous quotes. Because of my love for coffee, it was a memorable whimsy moment.

Questions:
1. How does the idea of whimsy connect to the inherent goodness of things?
2. How can we use our personal strengths and gifts to share intrinsically good things with others?