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The simply luxurious life is a life that when attained, when truly understood, prompts you to want to sit and savor every moment. Not that all the moments are positive and joyous, but all the moments offer something to appreciate, enjoy and sometimes learn from. Part of living simply luxuriously is understanding how to savor life, as we talked about in an earlier post this past spring. So often we get caught up in the whirlwind, the have-tos, the must-dos, and we forget to be still, listen and then act through love. 

It can be easier to live in fear than to live with our heart extended knowing it may be hurt, ripped at or broken, but to not live and act through love is to dismiss those whom we had originally hoped to find.

If we've lived long enough, we know that we won't always find people who have the best intentions with our love. We know that it can be squashed, taken advantage of and even laughed at. Sometimes due to callous hearts, but often due to insecure individuals who they themselves are too afraid to love as well, they don't trust the love we wish to give. All of us have to choose to work through what we are insecure about when it comes to expressing love. All of us, albeit for different reasons, have insecurities, doubts and fears, but it is the hope to find other individuals who are sincere, genuine, loving and secure within themselves that we must not give up entirely.

Often the first person we come across who is what we had originally hoped to find whether be for friendship, mentorship or a romantic partner, after a long string of individuals not able to understand our way of living and loving, we become skeptical. After all, could such a person exist? Are there really genuine, good people out there? Yes, yes, there are, and perhaps you've just found one of them. 

You by no means need to cast all wonderings or questions aside, but don't shut down, don't walk away.  Gradually introduce yourself and allow them to introduce themselves to you. Who knows, maybe, just maybe, you have found why it is important to never stop acting through love rather than fear. 

As TSLL moves into 2017, the first focus will be this topic: love. Be sure to tune into the first podcast episode on January 2nd to learn even more. I am quite excited to share as I've seen what I've just exemplified above to be oh so true indeed.

Today's newsletter is the last newsletter of 2016, as we go on our annual week-long holiday. However, as you may also remember, that does not mean the blog comes to a halt. Oh no. In fact, beginning tomorrow and running through January 1st, there will be a new post (sometimes two) each day. Most will be posts which will reveal the TOP 5 posts of each category seen here on the blog (Podcast, Why Not . . . ?, Recipes, Style Inspiration, Decor, French-Inspired, etc.), and others will focus on a particular holiday or celebratory event. Regarding the weekly newsletter, look forward to the first newsletter of 2017 to arrive in your inboxes on Friday January 6th.

Also, I wanted to give you a heads up. You may remember in October, I was invited to be on Portland's "Afternoon Live!" program to talk about living simply luxuriously. Well, I have been asked to return to talk about how to prepare for the new year. Be sure to either tune on Friday December 30th to KATU-TV (ABC) between 3-4 pm, or stop by the blog on Saturday December 31st to view the episode. I honestly am tickled and look forward to sharing a few simple tips to kick off what will certainly be a wonderful 2017. 

So much took place on the blog this week, from a new recipe to ring in the New Year, the release of new TSLL Planning Pages for Filofax planners and a list of my favorite podcasts to listen to. As well, cooking and sweaters and lessons learned form 2016 were shared, so I do hope you enjoy perusing this week's posts. Have a wonderful Holiday Weekend whatever you may be celebrating, and I'll see you in the new year!