,
One of the unexpected treats that has
occurred as the book has been released and read by readers is perusing their initial comments after having completed it. It is the honesty that I most appreciate and while most reviews have been very positive, one comment offered a piece of constructive criticism regarding my statement about embracing the life I had created and enjoying being single. To her, she said, it was redundant. "We get it," she said, "you enjoy your life and you're happy being
single."
But as no doubt, other readers have discovered, the book is not about being single, in fact, I very directly state, that sharing my life with a partner would be and is a desire of mine,
but as I cannot control when or if I will meet them, I am delighting in the life and details I do have control over.
I bring her comment up, not to praise or dismiss the idea of being
single; I bring it up as due to events over the holidays, I am ever more convinced that in order to enjoy our lives with someone - a companion, we must become wholly comfortable with our own company, understand how to fill our lives up with our own hobbies, passions, interests and become clear about what is worth speaking up for and what is mere idle chatter and can be allowed to be tweaked and changed beyond what we thought we might need.
Why? Because when we know how to bring peace and comfort into our own lives, we aren't seeking someone else to do it for us, but rather the person we welcome into our lives can enjoy it with us and we enjoy their pastimes even more fully because we've
communicated our preferences clearly. We can know if we mesh based on knowing such important details about ourselves, and we can know what we can wiggle on and what we cannot.
And that is often when the magic
happens as I discovered recently. When we pursue our own passions, curiosities, etc, we step into a world of authenticity - our own authenticity. We aren't trying to be someone to please the outside world, we are rather trying to enjoy life based on our inklings and tastes. And when we let go of trying to be, and instead just be, we free ourselves and that is attractive.
So, in short, my directive to you today is to go forward living a life that speaks to you. Take that taekwondo class, organize that dinner party or cocktail party you've been wanting to throw at your house and live your life without worrying whether or not it looks okay to the outside world. Who knows who
you'll meet or what opportunities will present themselves. Perhaps a new friend, perhaps a new door will open further in an area that you are interested in, perhaps a new connection in your career circle and, yes, perhaps, someone who tickles your heart will walk into your life.
In this week's first of 2015 newsletter, you will see the last week's Top posts of 2014; each post spotlights readers' favorite posts from each category on the blog. Most importantly, be sure to read the first post of the year: Back to
Simple, as it will highlight the direction of the blog as we move forward into the new year and hopefully provoke excitement for what the next 12 months will bring not only here on the blog, but in your own life.
As I mentioned at the top of the newsletter, readers continue to snap pics of themselves enjoying TSLL book, and I am loving putting them into Flipagram videos on my Instagram feed. Do be sure to share if you are interested by simply tagging #mysimplyluxuriouslife or @thesimplyluxuriouslife.
As for how I am kicking off the new year, the boys (my dogs) and I have tucked ourselves away on the northern coast of Oregon. An adorable
bungalow owned and operated by a woman that continues to inspired me, Tracy Hooper of The Confidence Project, my vacation rental as I type this offers a crackling fire in the
fire place, spectacular views of the ocean from my living room and plush linens to slumber in as I must admit I was fast asleep when midnight came Wednesday night (I prefer to celebrate with NYC at 9 pm, and wake up early to kick off the new year).
Needless to say, my intention for 2015, getting back to simple, without question involves walking along the beach, taking in the sea air and basking in the power that is Mother Nature. An amazing reminder to choose to live every day and not get weighed down by the unnecessary.
Wishing you an amazing kick-off to what I am confident will be a tremendously brilliant and memorable 2015. Until next week, I'll see you on the blog.
Shannon
P.S.
~Check out Instagram Flipagram for more arrivals of the book with their reader - click here to have a look and see how you can be included in the next post.
