The Simply Luxurious Life's Newsletter 53
Published: Fri, 06/17/11
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"Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels."
-Bertolt Brecht | ||||||||||||||||||
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I've stated before on the blog that happiness by definition is an occurrence of luck ('hap' meaning 'luck' in Greek) and with all of the time we devote to making our lives supposedly happier, I think what we are really choosing to pursue is fulfillment and contentment.
"Happiness as a byproduct of living your life is a great thing, but happiness as a goal is a recipe for disaster," as stated by Barry Schwartz professor of social theory at Swarthmore College.
It all comes down to whether or not you believe the things that happen to you in your life, the things you pursue, are a matter of chance. With all of the effort we put into making the best possible lives for ourselves, I'd like to think that there is a little bit more than chance involved. I realize, and will admit, that each of us only has control over our own actions and decisions, but in knowing that, we remove quite a bit of chance.
Moments of happiness lay around us at any given moment if we choose to look for them. Watching our children sleep soundly after a long day full of play and excitement, picking up a book that we can't put down, having gas in the tank to go where we want to go and having a healthy body to live life the way we desire. The difference between happiness and fulfillment is the effort we put into life when we know we have done our best, are contributing in a way that is sincere and knowing we've taken advantage of every opportunity that has come our way. Fulfillment can't be appreciated without tumbling, without struggling and wanting something so badly that at many points we aren't sure we're going to get there. These are not happy moments, but such moments, if we don't let them discourage us, will help us to be truly content. I believe that is the difference between happiness and fulfillment. I'd be curious to know your thoughts as well.
The summer has officially began for me, and I am thoroughly enjoying myself as I hope you are as well. Longer days full of time to greet the day and stay up later than usual, working in the yard and putzing around town.
In this week's newsletter, the most popular post of the week was Why Not . . . Achieve Balance?
and it was one of those posts that I for some reason thought I had already written about on the blog, but came to find out I hadn't. Balance is a funny thing. It's more difficult initially, but with constant effort helps us all to attain the life we wish to live. The tough part about balance is that it is something we must always pay attention to, but if we are consistent, it becomes so routine to ingrained into our lives and decision making that we are balancing without realizing it most often.
Here on The Simply Luxurious Life I am constantly striving to create quality content, as I don't want to waste your time and want to be able to provide something of value each time you stop by. With that said, I am combining two of my regular posts - Rules of Style and Style Inspiration. As announced yesterday on the regular Style Inspiration post, what you will find will be a mix of street style and red carpet every day fashion (no gowns) with the goal of bringing as many current photos (however, there are so many stylish photos in archives, that I won't be able to help but include them as well) as possible.
I wish you a very lovely weekend, whether the weather be sizzling or on the cool side, I hope you are able to step outside and enjoy it - possibly by dining al fresco or taking a stroll with friends and family. Either way, enjoy and be sure to take some time to just be and enjoy your own company. Until next week, I'll see you on the blog.
-Shannon
EXTRA FASHION & DESIGN POSTS
      Articles from Around the Web You Might Enjoy
*How to Order Bakery Baguettes like a Native - The Paris Kitchen
  *How to Save Money without Really Trying - Jean Chatzky
*8 Ways to Squeeze Leisure into a Hectic Day - Huffington Post
This Week's
Style Suggestion
A simple errand-running uniform to take you from home to the store, to lunch with friends with some time to get a few more things done at the office on a casual Friday - all the while looking stylish and pulled together.
 *Burberry ruffled silk-crepe tank - $195 *J Brand straight leg jeans - $169 |
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