What I've Been Up To

This summer just flew by didn't it? Recently my husband suggested a day trip to Black Mountain, NC. I did a quick search on the internet and found the Bella Luna bed and breakfast that turned out to be absolutely charming. The hosts were wonderful, the decor comfortable and sparkling clean and the food tasty. Our room was called the Nobel Suite and included a sleep in porch that was really cozy. (the first three pictures here are of the inn. sorry I don't have a picture of our room - you'll just have to plan a visit and see for yourself.)

Black Mountain is an artist community tucked in the Blue Ridge mountains. While there I visited the Seven Sisters Gallery, which specializes in gorgeous Made In America art. The owner Andrea loved my necklaces and bought a slew for the gallery. I was flattered because she has a phenomenal range of jewelry. Andrea's story is one of following your bliss. She worked at the gallery for many years and when she was 29 with two small children, the opportunity to purchase it came up, and she took it. (If you are wondering 7 sisters is the nickname of the mountain ridge.

I had the book The Last Girls by Lee Smith, sitting on my shelf for a couple years, without ever opening it. I don't even remember how I acquired it or who recommended it. I had read everything I had in the house but for some reason skipped over this treasure. I have to tell you it was great. I am a huge fan of Anne Tyler and this book is in the same vein. One of the fun things is at the end of the book there is an interview with the author as the inspiration for the book is a true story. I won't get into the plot but recommend that you read the book.

We Can Do It - Part 2

Donnie Deutsch is the best, just so positive, kind of cute and funny too. You can tell he loves his job. The Big Idea is uplifting and a must for business people. I have been having insomnia for weeks and caught a really good show of his late last nite that I'd like to share. The theme was ta da...being happy. Seems there are studies out there that happy people earn 40% more than unhappy folks. Now one can argue that these people are happy becuase they earn more but actually the study explains that their positive outlook makes them more attractive interviewees and employees.

Now I know that we can't wave a magic wand to make this happen, all this happiness. But Donnie being Donnie had several experts on including Sonja Lyubomirsky who has written a book on how to be happy. On the CNBC website she has a condensed version of her 12 step plan. Here's the link. http://www.cnbc.com/id/25708262/

Now if you are a long time reader of Vie you may remember that I lived in Denmark for several years. A global happiness survey has been conducted for the last 30 years and Denmark always comes up on top. The survey has been done for the last 30 years and Denmark always wins. I can vouch for this. People are not as materialistic, and make more of an event out of every day. What everyone strives for in their home and entertaining is "hygge". Loosely translated it is a feeling of coziness and well being. Candles are always lit, whether at home or in the cafes. A small, carefully arranged flower grouping is always at the table. Furnishings are chosen for life. Parties are planned with great care. And everyone knows that their responsiblity is to be a good guest and conversationalist.

At lunchtime in any office, the whole dept puts aside any talk of work to enjoy the half hour meal together and talk about the weather, the news, travel, etc. A gift is chosen with such tenderness, even if it is a business gift. To me it seems that it is done from affection and not duty. There's a lot of other examples but I think you understand.

Now the interesting thing about this survey is that Danes when interviewed said that the reason for their happiness is because they have lower expectations. I don't think that this is it, I think it is that they are satisfied. Less is more. (and five weeks of vacation a year mandated by the government, plus lots of great social benefits doesn't hurt either.) Another big part of it has to do with a reading that every school age child learns which basically says that no one is better than anyone else and that the society is as great as it's weakest link.

Before I lived in Denmark I did not truly understand how to savor a moment. My mom used to tease me about my impatience, always saying I was going to wear my wedding dress before my wedding. I was always looking for the next raise or promotion or whatever. Now the lessons I learned in Denmark sometimes get lost in my hustle and bustle American life but I do try to remember that this moment won't come by again, and that I need to enjoy it for all it's worth.