I have been thinking lately, mostly because the idea was sparked by the book Shell Seekers, what luxury means to me. The thought came up because they were living during WWII in England and were deprived of not just luxuries, but even the most basic necessities. As they sat in a sun drenched lawn they discussed what was truly luxurious to them; not furs, silks, or fine wines - but moments in life where you experience a fullness and I could completely relate.
I do not live a luxurious life, by choice. It is though filled with luxurious moments. In the book, Penelope comments that sitting in the yard, smelling the fresh cut grass and knowing that she is alone, but that her love is not far is filled with a luxury of the moment.
Prior to reading that I had written a poem as part of my 40/40 Challenge entitled:
The Yard
The sound of mowing
close at hand
lightens my heart strings
Funny how separated by continents and time there is a similarity of thought.
Then I started thinking about what else I find luxurious. There are the obvious things: dark chocolate, a bath, sparkling water with lemon or lime, long walks around the lake, reading in a chair during the work day outside on my property utterly alone and fully content while eating lunch, catching up with good friends over tea. All simple pleasures, really, but truly luxurious. I contend that this life I have built for myself is filled with luxuries that many only dream of - in fact I know they do. All the city dwelling corporate folks who are reading tome after tome on how to simplify their lives and I am living the dream that they only wish for.
Recently, just this weekend actually, I have chosen to give myself another luxury. Coffee. I stopped drinking it over a year ago because I was drinking a pot or two a day and it was fueling my anger and frustrations - and a serious caffeine addiction. So, I quit. But I realized that I missed the taste, the preparation, the smell, and the comfort of it. With that, I have reintroduced this into my routine. But there are rules. Only at home. Only one cup. Only the best coffee. And only if I have time to sit and enjoy it. Then it can remain a luxury and not a necessity.
What are your luxuries? Do you live in posh place filled with lovely things? Do you relish in your designer clothes? Or are you more like me and find luxury in the moments where you are experiencing life in a way that is truly special.
Photo Credit: MollyJolly
