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    The Art of Loving Your Life

    6/13/2012

    Barbara Conelli
    I wrote today’s post as part of the WOW-Women on Writing’s “The Art of Loving
    Your Life” Blanket Tour celebrating the release of Chique Secrets of Dolce
    Amore by Barbara Conelli (www.barbaraconelli.com).
    Barbara Conelli is an internationally published bestselling author, seasoned
    travel writer specializing in Italy. In her charming, delightful and humorous
    Chique Books filled with Italian passion, Barb invites women to explore Italy
    from the comfort of their home with elegance, grace and style, encouraging them
    to live their own Dolce Vita no matter where they are in the world.

    Her latest book, Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore offers an intimate
    view into the unpredictable and extravagant city of Milan, its glamorous
    feminine secrets, the everyday magic of its dreamy streets, the passionate
    romance of its elegant hideaways, and the sweet Italian art of delightfully falling in love with your life wherever you go.

    ***

    I was thinking about this post for a while. What does it mean to love your life and where does the art come in? How does loving your life manifest itself?

    I had to think about the things I love such as my family and friends, good books, coffee, wine, travel and good food. How do you bring all those things together to make life good?

    It led me to think about that expression, which I no doubt paraphrase badly “life is too short to drink bad coffee.” (Something I agree with 100% by the way!) I think that is actually the answer, not in the literal sense, but in the sense of knowing what you value, what makes you happy or brings you joy and then giving that priority,

    When my daughter was little I didn’t work at all. Not because I didn’t want to, or because I didn’t need the money (I really did) but because I didn’t want to miss a single minute that I didn’t have to of her life. She’s my miracle and I figure if you’re given a miracle then you show up to witness it.

    Some days I questioned the wisdom of my decision (as did others) but as soon as I thought about the reason for my choice and my priorities I knew my choice was solid. I loved every tea-party in the sandpit, every game of Uno Jnr (well maybe not the 65th game the day we played 65 games in a row but I’m sure you get my point) and every lazy day at the beach.

    You can apply the same rule to smaller things as well – I don’t drink Skim milk because the only milk I have is in coffee – may as well enjoy the two cups a day I have, I use the good china just to eat spaghetti, I use my candles I don’t save them.

    I think the art of loving your life is making the most of the opportunities you have and of course trying to make opportunities to do what you love as well (Drag the family to an art gallery if you want to go, sleep in on a Saturday and don’t feel guilty, if you can’t go to France cook a themed dinner for Bastille Day.)

    I’m no expert but I am pretty happy with my life!

    If you comment on today’s post on this blog or any of the others
    participating in The Art of Loving Your Life tour, you’ll be entered to win a
    signed copy of Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore!

    To read Barbara’s post about loving life and view a list of other blogs
    participating in The Art of Loving Your Life tour please visit The Muffin (http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/)

    To find out about future stops on this blog tour please visit The Muffin.

    Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore by Barbara Conelli Cover

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Comments

    Betty
    6/14/2012 12:00:14 pm

    You are a wise woman!

    Elaine
    6/14/2012 01:16:11 pm

    I love this post, especially the part about showing up to witness the miracles we are given.

    Barbara Conelli
    6/17/2012 03:49:41 am

    Thank you very much for participating in my book tour and for this wonderful post. I love your zest and gusto! (And I totally agree with you on the coffee part 🙂 )