,
Worthwhile occurrences, relationships, and milestones take time.
At the age of 81 Eleanor Coppola directed, wrote and produced her first narrative feature film. It took her six years to raise the money once she decided upon the project, but once she
did, as I share in my review in
this week's Petit Plaisir, she created a feast for the eyes and the mind in her film
Paris Can Wait.
Many of this week's posts were inspired by my viewing of the film (a couple of items in
This & That and this week's
Style Inspiration to
name a few). And as I shared on
Instagram, having the opportunity to view it in a small, quaint and comfortable (as well as very affordable) boutique theater here in Bend enhanced the overall experience as well. Yet another lesson about life to contemplate and integrate into the everyday moving
forward: create moments that ask, and you oblige, to be fully present because yes, the destination is a triumphant occasion to reach, but the journey is quite sweet as well, even with all of its unknowns.
As my mentor has pointed out to me a handful of times, create memories Shannon. In other words, create memories so delicious, when you do reflect upon them, you are reminded of why the person you created them with was so sweet and special,
and in that reflection, you can share the moment again, thus savoring it twice. The same can be said for creating memories even if you are the only one experiencing them. A life truly well lived is a life you can enjoy in the moment and then again as you look back.
The key to being able to create such memories is to live authentically. This was a crucial aha for me as I was evolving and growing up in my teens and twenties. If I wasn't able to be myself,
if I felt stymied or limited or knew based on past experience, my being myself would be laughed at, shut down or denied, I couldn't be fully present to create a memory I wished to remember. The good news, in my thirties, was this all began to change as I began to build a life I loved living, a life that set me free and brought into my world the people who I could relax with, as well as let go or step away from those who couldn't bear to see who I was. As well, I began to step toward what
was authentic to whom I was and wanted to evolve into becoming, and that has made all the difference.
But all of this change and evolution has taken time. Because good, worthwhile things usually do, and sometimes we have to remind ourselves of this truth. As I shared in this week's Wednesday's Motivational post, sometimes even when we are moving in the right direction, it can feel quite uncomfortable, but for the time being we have to feel that uncomfortable
uncertainty and doubt in order to evolve. If you find yourself in this particular state in your life as I am right now, be sure to take a look at the post -
7 More Signs You Are Moving in the Right Direction.
Now to summer which is what the other posts in this week's newsletter are
focused on: a simple summer salad recipe (I even created a step-by-step video to show you from start to finish how simple it is to pull it all together!), the summer wardrobe and accessory essentials that will last from year to year, and a beautiful summer home in Southampton that will have you rethinking color for your classic approach to style.
And now to the last weekend in June. May we stay cool (97 degrees is projected this Sunday here in Bend - yikes!),
may we shift our schedule for these summer months in such a way that brings more refreshment, joy and balance, and may we all toast to the arrival of Friday. Santé!
Be sure to tune in Monday for the Ask Shannon episode of the podcast. The list of questions to be answered is varied and long, and I cannot wait for you to tune in and enjoy. Until next week, I'll see you on the blog.
