When is it time to take a leap? When is it time to change? Is it okay to become comfortable? When is a change too much? When is a risk too far?

The gift of comfort is that we relax. Our shoulders drop away from our ears, our breath becomes deeper, steadier, slower. And when we relax, we think more clearly, practice more patience and make better decisions as we've given ourselves more time to contemplate the benefits and/or drawbacks. 

I think a certain level of comfort is necessary to be able to take risks, to be able to say yes to change. It is when we've had time to contemplate with a clear mind what we want, what we can handle and whether or not the change we seek is a reaction to fear (running away from something and not learning the lesson, not confronting it in order to move past it) or a response to trust our hopes (moving toward something we desire, something we know to be more true to who we are even if we have never been in the position or place we are moving towards). 

However when we get too comfortable, it can be tempting to settle. "Too comfortable" will be different for everyone. But "too comfortable" is a place of ease that doesn't inspire growth. A place that doesn't encourage curiosity. A place that is more content with keeping your feet in concrete. 

In order to not step into the concrete and let it harden is to feed our curiosities. Our curiosities will continue to remind us how delightful and amazing life is no matter how small or large the question is that we are asking. 

Today, whether the leap you wish to take appears to others as large or small, to you it will seem significant because you've never done it before. Follow your curiosities, and if taking big leaps isn't something you are wild about, just follow the seemingly small tickles of "what is this?", "how does this work?", "why does this happen when I do this?", etc. Because those little curiosities will add up to taking you quite far when you look back five, ten, twenty year from now. So long as the curiosities have been sincere, you will be amazed at where you will end up. And at that moment you will be able to realize you indeed did take a leap, you did choose to change, it just happened in small, steady increments. In the end, it doesn't matter whether you arrived at your destination in one large leap or many small tip-toes, in both scenarios, you arrived. And each of us has our own journey to follow.

Speaking of our own journeys, my conversation on the podcast with David Lebovitz this week centered around his journey to buy, renovate and settle in to his new apartment in Paris, and oh my goodness, did he have a difficult journey. However, after reading his book, I closed his memoir filled with inspiration. Inspiration that reminded me what we desire, what we seek, often wants to make sure we actually do want it, that it is a sincere interest. And in so many ways David's journey revealed exactly how intimately interested he is in the French culture and cuisine. Be sure to tune in to episode #182 and have a listen as he shares other details as well about how he approaches his visits to the markets, how he is handling the current French butter shortage and the most significant life lesson he learned through the three year journey (in fact, he shared that he believes he is still on the journey now eight years later). 

The holiday season is nearly upon us which inspired this week's Outfit of the Week, and you'll find in this week's This & That a film that I do believe will be something to put on your must-watch list (as well as a Broadway play if you're going to be in New York City in the next couple of months). As well, if you are in the market for a wool camel coat, check out the Style Inspiration post as I shopped this classic fall/winter item and found many different styles at varying price points. 

Now to the newsletter! I do hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for your interest in living simply luxuriously and until next week, I'll see you on the blog.​​​​​​