Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Take Time All the Time

 Our friends Laurie-Annya and Ian Who moved to France three years ago just moved to a new place in Cassis- – amongst the boxes, bags and plies to put away a bouquet stood at their entrance perfectly calm, graceful, and beautiful.

I would not have thought nor taken the time to have bought flowers if I were like they were in full moving mode instead my mind would have been in get it done practical mode.

And yet their flowers spoke of honoring the moment, taking time to breath and be thankful. To let it be.

How are you under pressure ?

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Comments

11 responses to “Take Time All the Time”

  1. jackie

    Sometimes good, sometimes not. It depends on the situation. Overall, I am usually able to calm myself in a terrifying/challenging situation and make it through successfully.

    Reply
  2. Penni

    Before my husband died I was a rock in an emergency, and about 80% if under pressure…now I break a nail and I fall to pieces, I feel overwhelmed by small things, and hope I can get back to *my* normal. In the meantime, I am learning to give myself grace.
    After my recent (big huge life changing) move, one of the first things I did was buy more houseplants in an effort to feel calm and peaceful. I am looking forward to planting flowers and other plants and trees outside, but for now, the plants are helping me feel grounded.

    Reply
  3. Susan in Zurich

    Celebrating beauty, taking time to appreciate the moment, even when life is hectic and busy – or maybe I should say “especially” when things get hectic and busy – is a gift to yourself and those around you.
    But it’s not easy when there’s a big job to tackle!
    By the way, these flowers are beautiful!

    Reply
  4. Ella in Nice

    Chère Corey,
    Your questions are always interesting; it’s so kind of you to engage us, your readers, friends and fans.
    During difficult times, my goal is to recognize what we can control. Intellectually, I accept that we have control over only two things, how we plan for and respond to a situation.
    This approach is also a balancing act as information, data, facts helps us understand and decide but can also overwhelm us.
    Obviously, this remains a work in progress!
    For Penni, please continue to give yourself grace. Thank you for sharing such a touching and important life change with us.
    Bonne journée à tous,
    Ella

    Reply
  5. RebeccaNYC

    It depends on the situation. During BIG situations (moving, a medical crisis, a car accident), I am calm, collected and organized. If I’m doing a quotidian task and something goes repeatedly wrong (my sewing machine jams, the sauce curdles on the stove, I put bleach into the wrong load of laundry) I can turn into a screaming mimi. 😉

    Reply
  6. Melly

    I can honestly say that I do not know what it is like to not live under pressure. I would not know how to navigate in a world not fueled by adrenalin. Have I wished it wasn’t so? Undoubtedly! But there are things in life over which we have no choice. This forces you to look for serenity and beauty in the most insignificant things to the “normal” eye.

    Reply
  7. Elizabeth Schaeffer

    Most often calm under pressure

    Reply
  8. Momof5

    Better than I used to be…under pressure.
    But I always have flowers. Always!

    Reply
  9. JEANNERENÉE

    Pleine d’énergie et pouvant être épouvantable (selon mon mari très calme et lent) Les contraires s’attirent-ils OU qui se ressemblent s’assemblent ??

    Reply
  10. Marilyn

    I try to fill each day with flowers.
    What a totally gorgeous photo.

    Reply
  11. Becky

    What Penni said. Sans the houseplants. So deeply sorry Penni, I have experienced the same earth-shattering thing.

    Reply

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