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Life has quite the creative way of teaching us lessons, and if we are wise enough to spy and note them as such, applying gained knowledge will undoubtedly enhance the quality of our life journey moving forward. 

I share this insight as just last week while in Bend, I chose to return to a place I hadn't been to in years, a place that I had moved on from, grown out of so to speak. Not that it was bad or wrong or anything associated with the negative, but it was no longer a fit for my life journey. Telling myself to take just a glimpse, it quickly became apparent my stepping back into the past needed not to have happened. First of all, everything had changed and was unrecognizable, and second, when I realized what I done and thus, was unnecessary to do, I hustled a bit to quickly back into my 'now' and nearly caused a headache for myself. 

All of this is to say, we must continue to step forward onto the path of our life, and treasure the past while we lived it, not return to it once we have moved on. We can most definitely think fondly of it if it went well and appreciate that we have stepped beyond it and learned lessons if it did not, but the second part of this keen wisdom is also then to not rush forward into our future, but savor the present. When we rush we take missteps, make unnecessary mistakes, overlook things that are asking us, imploring us, to pay attention to not only for our benefit, but for a most enjoyable now, and all of this is avoidable if we just slow down and savor the present.

Ah life, you sagacious ole nurturing entity. What would we do without your subtle hints? For it is because the hints are subtle that requires us to be fully present so that we can 'catch' the guidance and move on well. 

Once I had made it through this detour of an afternoon, I had to chuckle at myself. If nothing else, I was reminded that the past was lovely when it was happening, and it helped usher me to where I am today, some place I love, but the past has its place, and we would be wise to remember where that is. So, to heed life's wisdom, don't go backward, but also, don't rush forward. A bit of simple advice that has a grand gift of wonderful to offer our now. 

Before moving on to the contents of this month's newsletter, I want to apologize for not including a full letter from the editor last month. Being so focused on both wrapping up British Week and launching the Contentment Course, this was an oversight and not intentional. Rest assured, the monthly letters as way of beginning each monthly newsletter will continue moving forward and that was an oops unintended on my part. 😌 

And now to the month of June and all of the posts and episodes shared along with the aforementioned launch and opening for enrollment of the Contentment Masterclass. As well, you will find two Style Inspiration posts, a home tour of TSLL's Living Room and how to style a Frame TV. As well, a podcast episode about living well (and better) in the second half of our lives, four This & That posts full of premieres and new releases and sales, and still much more content to savor - one post even made its way to the #top100 posts of TSLL! I do hope you enjoy and thank you for subscribing to the free monthly newsletter. May July and the second half of 2024 begin well and until Wednesday July 31st, I will see you on the blog. 😌 

Bonne journée,

—Shannon

~A gentle note to non-members: With only two free posts available each month, don't miss your favorite regular postings by exploring the opportunity to enjoy reading unlimited posts on TSLL. Membership options begin as low as $4/month (with the yearly membership of $48 or $4.50/month with the monthly). Click here to learn more about all of the options and benefits.