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Those moments when the victory has been achieved, the paycheck has been deposited, feeling the kiss of someone for the first time or simply biting into your favorite dessert are evanescent moments that sadly don't last forever. Such moments drown out anything else that may be going on and allow us to get lost in the present, savoring all the goodness that such a reassuring, pleasure-filled moment creates.
It is because these moments are so pleasurable that we try to recreate them by taking a few more bites, then a few more and then one too many until we are miserable. Why do we do this to ourselves and how can we become disciplined so as to enjoy just enough, but not too much?
provided a moment of aha about love and personal growth that up until then I knew intuitively, but couldn't articulate.
This such moment was proof that indeed if we refuse to be halted in our search to find the answers, we will eventually find them, and in finding them our lives will have permanently been moved forward leading us closer to understanding, clarity and contentment about the life we have the potential to live and actually appreciate.
Back to those pleasure-filled moments. Such moments are not definite, unlike true personal growth, and to choose to stay in those moments is to become stagnant and actually prevent future growth. We must move beyond a delicious first kiss and actually get to know the person - their awe-inspiring self and their flaws, we must invest our money wisely and not squander it away frivolously each month longingly waiting for next month's paycheck to arrive and we must enjoy the dessert but not live on dessert alone.
While pleasures are an important part in life - ultimately humans live for food, sleep and sex - if we chose to subsist on these three elements alone, nothing would get accomplished and our clothes would never fit (at least the clothes we love).
So today, remind yourself that life will never stop throwing questions at you, but have faith that if you keep searching, the answers will come that will permanently change your life for the better. And don't be afraid to enjoy the occasional pleasures along the way, but make sure not to indulge too much.
A post from the archives helping to differentiate the difference between pleasure and joy might be something you'd like reading as a follow-up. Have a look . . .
In this week's newsletter, you'll find a new addition to the blog - a new page dedicated entirely to French-Inspired Living. On the page you will not only find posts from the archives relating to anything French, but also a list of books from my personally selected Amazon bookstore, recommendations for sites to see in France, French inspired blogs and a few other helps pieces of information.
Fashion and food, as well as much food for thought were easy to find on the blog this week with a recipe from Thomas Keller's French bistro inspired cookbook (trust me, it will become a go-to on your dessert list), lively discussions about happiness, cell phone etiquette and Sex and the City as well as a street style post sponsored by Rent-the-Runway. Do enjoy perusing through to find what piques your interest.
As a note to all newsletter subscribers, I'd like you to be the first to know about an exciting addition to The Simply Luxurious Life experience that I will be announcing officially on the blog next week. So many of you have contacted me about wardrobe ideas and outfit questions. In fact, a few I have taken on as clients and styled entire capsule wardrobes for, as well as one or two outfits for a specific occasion to see exactly how the online styling would work best.
After organizing the business aspect and then asking the illustrator of all the Simply Luxurious images - Inslee Haynes - to create an exclusive image to launch TSLL Styling Services, I am excited to announce that beginning next week (Tuesday, August 6th), no matter where you live, you can hire your very own online stylist (that would be me) to create a single outfit or an entire capsule wardrobe tailored to your body and your lifestyle. Click here to view the latest page added to the blog full of all the information and details on what a styling session includes, cost, etc. Again, the official launch will be next week, but you have an early glimpse.
Now that the weekend has arrived, it's time to welcome August for all the amazing opportunities it will bring, send off July until next year and perhaps get our of town for a few days or at least do something out of the ordinary that we dearly love doing but never have time for (until now). Until next week, I'll see you on the blog.
-Shannon
P.S. Don't forget to book your Haven in Paris vacation rental by the end of the day August 4th if you are planning of visiting the City of Light this winter. Great savings for a luxurious home away from home. Click here to learn more.
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