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The first week of summer has begun, and with it ample time to read more books of our own choosing, and extra daylight hours to luxuriate in outside in which to read. I recently began reading a book centered on the topic of happiness and what it truly means to be happy. The author made an interesting observation about the odd exclusion in many happiness-centered books of the definition of happiness. And isn't it odd indeed? Instead we blindly go forward assuming we know what happiness is. But as the best-selling book The Four
Agreements reminds us, make no assumptions in order to attention personal freedom.
To counteract this glaring error, the author defines happiness immediately: "happiness is experiences of
pleasure and purpose over time". It is vitally important, and many of us (including myself at times), make the mistake of seeking and paying "attention more to what we think should make us happy rather than focusing on what actually does". In order to let go of this futile pilgrimage, we need to instead seek the balance that aligns with our personality traits and welcomes both pleasure and purpose.
Too often the assumption about what will bring us happiness has been made, and we've talked about it many times on this blog, that bigger is better, more is better, when in fact, it is the quality of life that is created upon the purchases and time we invest that determine our
happiness.
Today, if you have time, consider evaluating what truly makes you happy and eliminating what you think "should" make you happy. Just this topic was discussed in a recent interview I had with Kimberly Wilson of Tranquility du Jour, and the key really is to live consciously. We will all make mistakes that we will eventually, upon contemplation, realize we're not in alignment with our values and priorities, but the key is to adjust and move forward, rather than
dwelling. Happiness is a journey, and if we choose to live consciously, which is what living simply luxuriously is all about, happiness is most certainly attainable.
In this week's newsletter, there is a
lot of talk about summer. The Simple Sophisticate's 43rd episode focuses entirely on how to make the most of the three months of summer, and this week's Style Inspiration and Outfit of the Week welcome the summer style that is ubiquitous whether we are traveling or simply strolling on the sidewalk in our hometown.
I do hope you have a wonderful weekend, and thank you for subscribing to TSLL weekly newsletter. Until next week, I'll see you on the blog.
Shannon
P.S. If you are going to be in Connecticut or the surrounding area this weekend, be sure to stop into New Canaan's bookstore Elm Street Books this Saturday, as I will be signing books and answering your questions. Oh, and I will be bringing along my favorite chocolate truffles as well. View all of the details here. If you would like to follow TSLL on the trip to NYC and Connecticut, check out Instagram for the most recent pics and images (@thesimplyluxuriouslife).
