Vous simplifier la vie

Love letters written in 1901 to a Frenchwoman named Gabrielle in Paris. The bundle of letters was found at a Paris flea market.

 

Have you seen author and blogger Patti Digh's insightful new book Four Word Self Help: Simple Wisdom for Complex Lives? Patti talks about the need for simplying our busy lives; how the most important concepts usually may be summed up in four words or less.

This blog post title echoes Patti's philosophy, translating from French to "you simply your life." Here's my take on three of Patti's four-word ideas for living:

Write more love letters. Can we ever have enough love letters? I think not. These thoughtful missives, penned from the heart, reveal more about us - and those who love us - than any store-bought gift chosen with care.

Years ago, I was on assignment in the Middle East and left many valuable items with a friend in San Francisco. Sadly she vanished, taking my treasures with her. I really haven't missed them, except for a couple of sentimental family items and a stack of love letters, bound with ribbon. Those foreign-postmarked letters written in green ink on heavy vellum reflected an important part of my personal history and can never be replaced. So Patti is right: we should all write more love letters. Email just doesn't have the same panache.

My daughter Jordana pictured last December standing in the Dead Sea, Jordan, for the first time since she was eight years old.

Tell them your story. Time passes so quickly. As a journalist, I am acutely aware of the necessity of writing things down; recording events as accurately and objectively as possible. As a photographer, I am convinced each of us has a responsibility to tell our own story; to capture key moments in our lives and the lives of those close to us, not only for ourselves, but for generations to come. One's sense of identity and place in this world is important; each of us has a role in helping preserve our wholly unique family histories and special events. Expensive possessions may come and go, but our personal stories and photographs are timeless and therefore priceless.

A trio of bicycles parked by a canal, Delft, Holland.

 

Buy experiences, not things. Nothing provides more education and perspective than travel. Throughout my life, I've tended to favour adventure over stability; experience over material possessions. I may not own a big house or access a fat bank account, but I do have a wealth of experience. I am rich through the risks I've taken; the places I've traveled; the people I've met and befriended; those I love and who love me. It doesn't take money to try something new; to do something different; to make new friends. Our choices and our experiences define us and inform our memories...It''s how we spend our time, talents and resources that matters; not how we spend our money.

For more simple wisdom, read Patti's delightful book packed with warm and witty anecdotes. Four Word Self Help is also beautifully-illustrated by numerous artists and bloggers. Get your copy here or at your local bookstore. You may already be familiar with Patti's best-selling book Life is a Verb. And don't forget to visit her blog 37 Days for inspiring stories about making the most of each day.

Comments

[Stephanie]

After just returning from my Ghost Ranch retreat I so agree with you on this post.

Simplify, experience..savor

I feel rich beyond words.

happily catching up here...the brocante, the horse races...taking it all in.

I also see no more Paris Parfait...off to your next set of rich experieces and I am here to experience them with you.

x..x

[Marilyn]

I have seen this book in the store, but thanks for reminding me it would be a good book to acquire. Adventures, for sure, are worth there weight in gold. Friendships and people connection make any adventure more memorable. I sometimes tell people I am acquiring memories for a time when I can no longer adventure out. I have been doing this the past few days by venturing to Seattle for the NW Tea Festival.

[Melanie Dooley]

Such a lovely idea, and old letters are so lovely. I have many old old letters of my own - the paper and ink from centuries ago is beautiful.

We do have our modern love letters as well - my boyfriend and I wrote to each other on facebook over the space of a few months this year - over 100 A4 pages and some 55,000 words later...so it is our first love letter I guess...

[amber]

" I am rich through the risks I've taken; the places I've traveled; the people I've met and befriended; those I love and who love me. "--

This is the kind of rich I want to be.
I don't know how often I will be thinking about my life, and wonder "what would Tara do?" or "look what Tara did!". Your life with so little fear inspires my heart that sometimes can "should" me to death.

I will get this book.

:) oxoxox

[Donna]

I love the idea of the four word self-help, things that are the most simple are often the most important. Everything you said here reverberates with me, and I happy to tell you that since I met you I've been working towards spending more time and money on experience than things and on telling my stories. I have so many to tell! I'm working on setting up a separate photography site and would love to get your opinion when I'm ready to open it up to the world. Safe travels my dear friend.

[gracey ighut]

this post is <3
:)

[Nina]

I identify with your words Tara. I love love letters (still keep all of them from old lovers:). I think men who take time to write cary a certain level of love for his own life and not only his love for you.

I am reckless when it comes to adventure. I live and spend more time in experience. Recklessly adventurous when it comes to love and cooking - and travelling.

I cant wait for you to move over so we can spend more time together.
Thanks for this lovely post, a reminder of what is important in life.
Love.

[Colin]

The whole post is wonderful but my favourite photo is of your daughter in Jordan.
Congratulations!

[Swirly]

I'm always an advocate for more snail mail!

[Barbara]

Tara, this is stunning. It is always good to read your posts, but this feels like vintage 'you.' Thanks. I'm enchanted by the letters in the top photos ... the penmanship is gorgeous and I love the inventiveness of the - would you call it criss-crossing? - effect used in the letter in the foreground. So cool. Beautiful.

[akl]

Beautiful post.
a

[Natalie]

What a lovely, lovely post. Thank you, this was like a fresh breeze, a good glass of wine...

[Tracy L Cartmell]

loved loved this post... a much needed reminder that the universe and we are replete.. thank you..