Do you know that feeling when you attempt to try on many different styles and brands of either a pair of shoes or jeans or a blouse or a dress, and having felt scrunched, overwhelmed, lost or pinched by sizes that just didn't work with your physique, even if the size stated they were the same, when you try that one in which the size feels as though it was made just for you, you just know? And it's not the fault of the designer or the shopper; it is just a process of trying to find, and refusing to give up, what fits you so well that you are able to go about your life and your day as you please without feeling uncomfortable in your clothing. 

Finding the rhythm of how to live our lives so has to harmonize with what is out of our control, yet feel at peace with our choices, parallels the process of finding the right size of clothing in very much the same way. 
 

The size is out there that works for you, that will feel wholly like a second skin; that drapes just as you want, and not too much; that flatters, but doesn't exaggerate; that supports without overwhelming or creating a façade. However, what is required is to never stop believing finding it is possible which requires you to remain open, curious and unceasing in your search. In fact, it is the long search that makes the finding what we are looking for when we do find it, all the more something we deeply appreciate and are far less likely to take for granted.

My own life rhythm feels to have found its sweet spot as of late. My days with Norman to the outside onlooker would look mundane and common place, but to me they are absolute bliss. We wake up when our body clocks nudge our eyes awake (usually around 5 or 6). With the windows open, I wait to begin hearing the birdsong before stepping out of bed, then our breakfast routine which includes Norman's moment in front of the stove enjoying his chewy. The days unfold similarly, but not exactly as the day preceding it, and the evening ritual punctuates the need for slowing down, putting the office to bed, saying goodnight to the neighborhood with one more walk around the block with Norman. 

With spring's arrival, the birds have returned en masse, even more so than in previous years, flocking to the two bird cafes and now the bird bath to quench their thirst after enjoying their meal. Their going-ons entertain and delight me endlessly. Last week, even a hawk landed in my cherry trees for a mere moment, which was a first (I think even he was confused as to where he was, but it made me smile). 

For the first time in, well, forever, my life feels to be truly mine, which sounds odd to even type, but knowing I have the self-discipline to tend to the necessary and desired tasks, I permit myself to pair days and stretches of working laser-focused with many moments to gawk and relax and wander, and this pairing feels more healthy than I imagined as it grounds me and enables me to be more present and more engaged in the now, savoring all the more the everyday details. The regular balance, listening to what the body, the mind and the being need feels as though all three are expressing gratitude by bringing me a peace far deeper than I once thought was possible. 

In order to find our rhythm in life, in our daily routine, in our movement with the calendar year of the seasons, we need to learn our own language, and then have the courage to honor it. Finding courage may be the most difficult part of this coupling, but for others, learning our own inner language may be the part that takes the most time to learn and thus understand. Be patient with yourself and remain confident you will find the rhythm that was meant for you to make extraordinary music. Of that I am certain. For me it took more than 40 years, but I did indeed find it after many false findings I thought were my song, but actually were for someone else. Don't let my truth and timeline dissuade you, as we each have our own journey and we each learn at a different pace. No matter when you find it, I can attest, it is worth the undeterred efforts to reach it. 

Welcome to the end of March, and thank you for choosing to subscribe to TSLL's free monthly newsletter. This edition is full of inspiration, shopping ideas, décor ideas, an opportunity to save money and exciting news about TSLL's book - readers of this blog and this community helped to make the book a #1 Best Seller in France Travel.  I am still a bit speechless; and all of the thanks and the reason it happened is because of you. Thank you for your interest in The Road to Le Papillon, and for those who have already begun to read and have reached out sharing what they love about the book, thank you for taking the time to do so. I am overjoyed that this book is speaking to you as you go about your life creating more joy, contentment and bliss in your everydays. 

If you too are enjoying the book, your positive reviews and/or rankings shared wherever you purchased the book are truly the greatest compliment as it reveals to new readers who may not know about TSLL yet what they will find when the read it. Many of you have already done this, and I continue to include such reviews permanently on the blog (see the reviews so far pulled from Amazon and placed on TSLL blog for the 3rd book). Thank you for your time as I know you have incredibly full lives, and when it comes to reading a book, you just want to read it and enjoy it (I completely understand this 😌).

Be sure to check out the box below full of News & Information as a lot is happening in April for readers. As well, if you have ever been curious to become a TOP Tier Member, this week (running through April 6th) is the Once-A-Year opportunity to save up to 33% on your first payment (yearly, quarterly or monthly), so be sure to check out this post to learn more and find the promo code. 

Now to the newsletter! Wishing you a wonderful first weekend of April, and until Saturday April 30th, I will see you on the blog.

—Shannon

~To explore every post you wish to read, be sure to become a member to one of the two tiers - BASIC or TOP as non-members can only read five posts a month (it will reset on the first of each month - tomorrow!).