The Good Life

In Europe there has been a long discussion of the good life. .The French pride themselves on the "joie de vivre" and consider the cultivation of this of such import that even small children are guided in the art. Merriam Websters defines joie de vivre as "keen or buoyant enjoyment of life." Several sources share that in English this concept can be corrupted to joie de vie - the joy of life. However, in the French term there is a sentiment that it is an activity - something sought out and lived, not studied from afar or merely looked at, glimpsed.

In America, our small children are guided in the art of personal exploration of interests. Still, this tradition may be passing us by. Are the children of today being provided with a myriad of diversions rather than cultivation of the ability to provide diversions for others and themselves. This is a critical difference and can be overlooked in the lives of adults as well. Do you love to cook, or just the taste of good food? What is the action that you love the process of. If you don't know, why not start trying one activity a week until you discover something you get lost in? What makes times get lost for you? What can you do that builds a sense of love and a desire to share in you? Television is an answer I commonly get from adults. How sad. Do you know that you have the ability to create that "being lost" sense in  yourself, and to share it with others? How will you attempt this? It can be the beginning of a beautiful life of much more enjoyment and connection to others. Rather than having "friends" on the television, you can cultivate the mystery, the love story, the horror show, the decorating party all your own, in your home, with your friends.

For you, what would be the joie de vivre. Better than looking at how people in other cultures far away are attempting to find this, take a moment to delve deep and find an activity that feels this way to you. Looking at what you discover you enjoy, you can then take small steps (and small steps are key to success) in order to cultivate an experience that continues and becomes a joyful living for yourself. I look forward to hearing from you about how you experience this today - or this week.

What difficulties do you find? Where do you choose to start?