,
I have found the cure-all! The cure-all for nearly all of life's woes. Okay, maybe I'm over exaggerating, but I have found a free cure to much of what often frustrates us or causes us angst. Let me explain.
If you've been following TSLL on Instagram lately, you know that I have basically hit the ground in my new town, Bend, Oregon, running. Whether it was paddle boarding on a high lake, taking in the Opera via the HD theater or visiting the nearby Farmer's Market I've wasted little time making my house a home, exploring the town and walking all 10 of our legs off (my two dogs and mine. Get it?). And as I was on Cloud 1200 (not even close to Cloud 9), I needed to be taken down a notch, and I was. While just about every experience I've had here has been
stellar, one caught me by surprise. And while I won't go into the details, in retrospect, I'm glad it happened.
No place is perfect. There will always be
quirks and frustrations, but what we can do is find and help to create a community and a space that is perfect for each of us to thrive. But how?
(Finally, I am getting to the cure-all. I swear, I was not off on a tangent, this really is part of the
build-up. :) )
Curiosity.
I came across a quote recently uttered by Diana Vreeland, and it gave me pause. "There's only one thing in life, and that is continual renewal of inspiration." You may be wondering, what does this quote have to do with curiosity, but look closely. The only way to continue to be inspired, to have hope, to see and discover new ideas is to seek new experiences, meet new people, evolve ourselves so that we can see the same experiences through different
eyes, and that is when inspiration strikes and that is how we cultivate a space and community that is ideal. How we approach these new experiences is with an open mind, our authentic selves and, these two are important: kindness and gratitude. Gratitude for the most simplest of actions and kindness even when it may not seem warranted.
If we can approach each tomorrow, each new scene in our days and every person we encounter with such an attitude, our world will brighten and open in ways we may never have foreseen.
So if you feel like your season, year or life is in a rut, start of your engine of curiosity and seek out what tickles your mind. You may never know where it will lead, but if you keep the basic approach in mind (gratitude, kindness, open mind and an authentic self), our lives can help but improve.
Speaking of improving and evolving, I have some news about TSLL App. (Did you know we had an app? Read each new blog post and Instagram post as it goes live on your iPad or iPhone - click here to download for free.) Now, if you'd like to comment, you no longer have to click through to be redirected to the blog. You can comment directly on the App itself. Saving you time and allowing you to join the conversation wherever you day finds you.
And the last, but certainly not
least bit of news, as it is something many of you have asked about and waited patiently for, the second weekly episode of The Simple Sophisticate will premiere tomorrow (Saturday July 25th). Read this week's post - The Podcast Expands: Au Courant Weekly to discover what it will entail and who will be collaborating with me
(hint: Francophiles, I had you in mind from the get-go).
But now it is time to let you peruse this week's newsletter. I do hope you have a wonderful weekend, and may you have a few days of lovely summer (or winter)
leisure. Until next week, I'll see you on the blog.
