While this is primarily a style blog, I do like to use it as a way to share with you pretty much anything that captivates me. Last night I stayed up way past my bedtime totally engrossed in a PBS special series called This Emotional Life. It’s hosted by author Daniel Gilbert, who wrote Stumbling on Happiness (which has been collecting dust on my bookshelf for a couple years after my first attempt to read it) and delves deep into the age old question “what IS happiness?” from many perspectives the world over . Being someone who is totally intrigued by the human condition, psychology and the magnanimous idea of “happiness”, this series was a revelation. I only saw part three, but from only that I took away so much. There were several incredibly poignant stories, but one that really struck a nerve and got me thinking was that of Clark’s Botanicals founder Francesco Clark. I’ve seen the Clark’s Cellular Lifting and Youth Serums featured in dozens of fashion magazines and to be honest, I was simply enamored with their packaging, not knowing the story behind the product.
Turns out this is no $350 beauty serum with only science behind it. This is a product birthed from tragedy, resilience and pure courage. You can hear a bit about Francesco’s story here and on their website, but I highly recommend you watch this series if you can. His attitude towards his injury and the life it has given him will bring tears to your eyes. It made me re-evaluate how I treat every day of my life and my need to set the intention every morning to be grateful for everything I have. I think it’s an important thing to be reminded of and something we forget about when we get caught up in the messiness of everyday life. Like this morning, for example, I get up to find my coffee machine is broken. So not a big deal in scheme of things, right? I typically would have had a toddler-like, WTF-filled meltdown on the kitchen floor without my morning caffeine fix, but instead I chose to sit down, write this, get an early start to my day and stop for a yummy Starbucks on my way to my morning meeting instead. It’s small, but that’s what it’s about. Taking small steps to encourage growth within yourself to develop a better, more grateful, calmer version of who you are.
Hope some of you found this interesting, I promise to get back to style tomorrow. :)
I saw Clark’s story a couple of weeks ago, and it is worth watching the series on Happiness! But what I really loved about this post is your commitment to set your intention for the day and keeping it present throughout your day, Love, love, love it!
I caught the 2nd part of this series several weeks ago and I so wish I had seen parts 1,2 & 3. So ironic this is your post today because randomly yesterday I started a list of how do you create a beautiful, happy & inspired list on my blog. Readers are leaving their comments and I’m adding them to the list. Please go by and add a few. I think it’s really important people focus on this issue and work at it. I’ve seen amazing results in my own life when I do it & disaster when I get off track. It’s a daily conscious decision. Hope you have a great week.
Thank you for putting in perspective how fortunate so many of us are and sadly forget about.
Erin – I completely agree. I’ve been working to develop a more calmer me – nice to hear some reinforcement on your blog.
I think style is ultimately about how we carry ourselves, who we are, and how we communicate with the world. How many people do we all know who are gorgeous styled on the outside, but so unattractive on in the inside?! Sounds like this series is the perfect style tip! We all could use a little more grace!
Have a fabulous day! So glad yours got off to such a lovely beginning! This post was a wonderful start to my day!
Thank you so much for sharing your reflections. I watched part of this series earlier this week and would love to catch the rest. Have a beautiful day!
I could totally use a calmer, more grateful me (I’m sure my family would agree!)!!! Thanks for sharing.
I like it when you mix it up a bit…thanks for sharing! I guess I need to dust that one off my bookshelf too and dive back in!
He Erin, LOVED this post. Thanks! :)
My parents recently told me about this series and I’m hoping to catch it soon, for the very same reasons you talk about here! I was diagnosed with MS nearly a year ago, and I can’t even tell you what a new lease on life it’s given me. Of couse, I allow myself to indulge in my own WTF moments from time to time, but I really try to make the most of every day. I wake up each morning not knowing how I’ll feel, if I’ll experience pain or trouble with my eyesight, but I do know my loving husband is by my side, in the beautiful home we’ve made together, and recognize without a doubt that I am blessed. It’s all about the small things that make this life so extraordinary, right?? The fresh flowers on my desk, long conversations with my mom, Starbucks on my way to work this morning! It all adds up to making this life pretty amazing. Cheers to you for beautifully illustrating that very point this morning!
I am checking it out. Thanks Erin, i enjoyed reading this =D
I think this is a great post. I wasn’t aware of Mr. Clark’s story but I always try to remind myself to keep things in perspective, that they could be much, much worse. I think a lot of times happiness is a choice and one way to realize how lucky you are, unfortunately, is to realize how many people have it much worse than you and deal with it a lot better.
Hi there! I found the show a few weeks ago when flipping channels, and my husband and I spent the whole week watching the series. It was beautifully done, eye opening, and truly life changing. Funny that it takes work to be happy, but the payoff is enormous.
Erin – what a great post! Hopefully, we don’t need a diving accident to remember how blessed we are. A hopeless optimist (people call me “Tigger”), I start and end every day saying “thank you” for three things in my life – whether it be family and friends, work I love or even a coffee maker that works. I will definitely be putting the series in my Netflix queue!
Great, post! A wonderful reminder that we are all a work in progress, and not alone in this journey.
Perspective is always an eye opener. It sounds as if you have had an introspective moment or two lately. You are growing as a person in such a beautiful way, keep up the good work. I know sometimes growth can be hard but it appears to me that you are starting to GET IT! Great Post, kathysue
I’ve been watching this on and off when I catch it on PBS and although I don’t think I’ve caught a whole episode, I found the parts that I have seen to be incredibly beautiful, insightful, and powerful. I can’t wait to catch the rest of it – I think it can really teach a lot to viewers. My new year’s resolution was to RELAX and, in addition to taking a yoga class, I think this show is going to have a great impact on my life. Looks like yours as well!
Oh I wish I knew the PBS story but…well it’s a long story but the electrical circuit that feeds the big TV is out because we had the power lines to the house moved because we’re building a new patio in the back and they haven’t figured out what’s going on. (I told you it’s a long story) Anyway, I haven’t really had television for a week because my kids don’t like me to watch television in their rooms, the upside being I’ve read three books this week. But this show looks pretty cool.
And well don’t sweat the coffeemaker. I don’t even make coffee during the week because I have a hard time making coffee when I *need* coffee and there’s a Starbucks with a drive-thru on the way to work. (and I put my makeup on the car too,… I know, bad…but there’s a lot of stoplights.) So it’s really all okay afterall.
Erin – I stayed up late watching it too! I was so engrossed I actually threw out Ethan Frome and the Canterbury Tales and taught my high schoolers all about it the next day. The website is excellent as well. It’s as good as This American LIfe.. and thankfully not as depressing! I figured I was the only person under 45 watching PBS that night, but so glad to know I’m in good company.