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Paradoxes exist everywhere - "You have to be cruel to be kind," having to tell the truth to someone even though you know it will hurt them in the present, but benefit them in the long haul; "In seeking happiness, one does not find happiness," after all, happiness is a state of mind that one feels along the journey, not something to be reached as an end goal; and finally, "In order to have a life of ease and comfort, you must first work hard to achieve it."
The final paradox is something that I have a inkling many people realize, but it is the definition of hard work that is often incorrectly defined; and therefore, the understanding of what it takes to live well is not actually understood by more people than we might at first expect.
As I write about often on the blog, the definition of living well will vary from person to person. However, I would venture to guess that freedom, financial independence and contentment in one's day-to-day activities would play a role in the general definition for a majority of people.
With that said, hard work must occur not only when you have the applause and the support, but also, and even more so, when you have no one around you but your determination and your wits. Hard work involves navigating obstacles that you bump into, and refusing to be stopped in your tracks. Keep in mind if you always are easily halted by boulders in your path, you will never reach any destination. And quite frankly, I don't want to be left stranded out on an abandoned highway, do you?
I have chosen to talk about hard work and perseverance today because I recognize that there will be times when you see no progress what-so-ever. But progress is somewhat like riding a bike down a ever-so-slight decline. It takes awhile to get started, gain your balance and find the forward momentum, but then the forward momentum you've discovered begins to carry you, your motions become habitually ingrained and even when it seems you're covering the same length of pavement for quite some time, what you'll realize is that you are edging closer to your destination simply by always being in motion toward your goal.
So today, take one more step and keep moving in the right direction.
In other exciting news, this past Wednesday, The Simply Luxurious Life was spotlighted on television for the first time! Portland Fox 12 news reporter Stephanie Kralevich choose the blog to be a part of her weekly "Surfin' with Steph" feature. (For those of you who live in the Portland area and receive Fox 49, it will re-air on Monday's Good Day Oregon at 9am, or you can watch it as it is streamed live here no matter where you live.)
And an addition has been made to the blog. A new feature titled Ask Shannon will now be available to readers who wish to ask me advice on anything from fashion, life dilemmas, love, decor, traveling, entertainment, fitness and anything else that has been discussed on the blog. Email me at askshannon@thesimplyluxuriouslife. So many readers have emailed me during the inaugural week already, so I'm beginning to think this was a long overdue addition. I look forward to hearing from you!
With the weekend arriving, I'm sure we could all use some time to relax, unwind and do as we please. I'm dreaming of a fresh strawberry daiquiri, lounging with an intriguing book and soaking up some sun as I get away to the country this weekend before another week begins. However you choose to spend your few days of leisure, have a lovely time. Until next week, I'll see you on the blog.
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