Living Beautifully Together
Yesterday while searching through all my design books looking for a specific resource, my fingers stopped, my eyes lit up and my mouth curled into a smile as I gazed upon a book that was a huge inspiration to me in the infancy on my design career. Pulling it from the shelf, I sat down and thumbed through Alexandra Stoddard’s Living Beautifully Together. I began to see how her gracious words have enriched and influenced my life over the years. Through living a life impassioned by grace and beauty, she kindled a desire in me to cultivate that kind atmosphere in my home, my relationships and my work too. An atmosphere that nourishes and affirms, an atmosphere of love. I remember years ago the title alone captured my heart and drew me in. Some of her other books are Living a Beautiful Life, Reflections on Beauty, The Postcard as Art and Style for Living.
In the last chapter of her book, Alexandra says, “Some of the happiest moments of my life have been unplanned.” My stumbling across this long forgotten treasure was not planned, but sitting here rereading the passages I highlighted 20 years ago brings me great joy. I thought I would share some of her “Grace Notes” that caught my attention, and may resonate in your heart too. Enjoy!
♥ Once we have a flame we can pass it on and light other people’s torches.
♥ Come to grips with your individualism: There is no one like you anywhere. Any great artist creates from the heart, not from what will please others. That should be our goal as well.
♥ Think “up”!
♥ Take a weekend trip by yourself. Do exactly what you want to do for two days. This will be a time of discovery and renewal.
♥ Learn several new words each week and use them in your verbal and written expressions.
♥ Before going to sleep at night, pray for ten people you love.
♥ Sing in the shower!
♥ Volunteer at a hospital; giving a little bit of yourself is a remedy that even medicine can’t top.
♥ Start a journal.
♥ Relationships aren’t automatic; they require conscious attention.
♥ Make your point without anger.
♥ “Simplify, simplify.” Henry David Thoreau
♥ Effort is self-fulfilling.
♥ We hold great power to communicate tenderness and love through our choice of words and how we voice them.
♥ There are times to interrupt and times not to be interrupted.
♥ Contentment comes from appreciation, not wealth.
♥ Have a dream box: clip pictures of things you both love…a painting, vacation spot, a house.
♥ Never forget to say I love you before going to bed. Never go to bed mad at each other.
♥ Hold hands when you walk together, give him little pinches or kisses to keep him smiling.
♥ Each of you pick a sanctuary in your home. Choose your favorite chair and keep your favorite books close by. This is your spot to come to and relax all by yourself.
♥ Create a calm, intimate, romantic world. Always light a candle at dinner. It forces you to stop and appreciate being together.
♥ Leave a huge bunch of wild flowers at the back door when a friend is sick.
♥ Call a stepchild and make a lunch date for two. Be early and ask questions about her plans and dreams.
♥ Remember everyone is different. Most of us are doing the best we can.
♥ Get out of bed with a smile on your face. Smile when you are alone, it’s a good habit!
♥ When the Spirit moves you, act.
♥ You can never have too generous a spirit.
LET ME END WITH ONE OF MY FAVORITES…
♥ LOVE EACH OTHER TO A CRISP!!
xo leah
