At Christmas I received the book Living La Dolce Vita by Raeleen D'Agostino Mautner. I learned alot about how the Italians live life and how it compares to American's way of life and I have been trying to incorporate The Sweet Life into my life, while I am here in the USA.
For instance, letting yourself be happy now:
Alot of us think of obtaining happiness in the future, in Italy happiness is not an endpoint it is a process and to be aware of the process which makes you happy and live it, makes happiness every moment.
In Italy time is viewed as approximate, continuous and flexible, they live in the moment and appreciate each little thing they are doing.
I have noticed that Italian women and men for that matter seem to savor each moment and relish each event as sensual. They don't multi-task and get caught up in trying to do too much and then lose sight of their own lives.
I think it is because they have such a different value system based on ancient theories.
I have realized that since I visit Italy often now, that I bring a little bit of their way of life back home. I have been teaching myself to savor each movement and every moment.
Have any of you returned home from a trip to Italy and tried to keep La Dolce Vita in your life at home?
For instance, letting yourself be happy now:
Alot of us think of obtaining happiness in the future, in Italy happiness is not an endpoint it is a process and to be aware of the process which makes you happy and live it, makes happiness every moment.
In Italy time is viewed as approximate, continuous and flexible, they live in the moment and appreciate each little thing they are doing.
I have noticed that Italian women and men for that matter seem to savor each moment and relish each event as sensual. They don't multi-task and get caught up in trying to do too much and then lose sight of their own lives.
I think it is because they have such a different value system based on ancient theories.
I have realized that since I visit Italy often now, that I bring a little bit of their way of life back home. I have been teaching myself to savor each movement and every moment.
Have any of you returned home from a trip to Italy and tried to keep La Dolce Vita in your life at home?
I guess it also means many kids not getting jobs until they are 30 or so. I read a story about some Italian guy sueing his father for trying to cut off his allowance. The kid was 32 and he won! Indeed a sweet life if you can get it.
Personally, I'm a total advocate of la dolce vita and all the other European counterparts. Sadly, if I want to make enough money to get to Europe often enough to enjoy la dolce vita for more than a few days, I've got to be an expert at multi-tasking and 60-hour workweeks, plus rearing two teenagers, which entails massive amounts of energy.
I guess I've found something of a happy medium. I work like a dog here in the States, but I never, ever fail to make a nice, healthful European-style homemade dinner at night and unwind with the family over it, I belong to a gym where I work out to keep fit as Europeans manage to do without ever forking over money for a health club, and I suround myself with books and kitchen gadgets and foodstuffs and linens and paintings and whatnot that I've gathered from my European travels to keep me at least conscious of the dolce vita lifestyle. It's not a perfect formula - but I don't think there can be one for us Americans.
And when I'm at home in France, I succumb completely to the Sweet Life, savoring every moment of every day, even those when I'm on the laptop talking to the office back home. I tell people before I leave that I'm on a "European schedule," and they won't necessarily hear back from me within an hour, or even a day. Kicking back and savoring the little things in life, even if we can't, as Americans, do it all the time, and we can't, is a major reason we love Europe, and it's terribly good for both our physical and mental health.
I guess I've found something of a happy medium. I work like a dog here in the States, but I never, ever fail to make a nice, healthful European-style homemade dinner at night and unwind with the family over it, I belong to a gym where I work out to keep fit as Europeans manage to do without ever forking over money for a health club, and I suround myself with books and kitchen gadgets and foodstuffs and linens and paintings and whatnot that I've gathered from my European travels to keep me at least conscious of the dolce vita lifestyle. It's not a perfect formula - but I don't think there can be one for us Americans.
And when I'm at home in France, I succumb completely to the Sweet Life, savoring every moment of every day, even those when I'm on the laptop talking to the office back home. I tell people before I leave that I'm on a "European schedule," and they won't necessarily hear back from me within an hour, or even a day. Kicking back and savoring the little things in life, even if we can't, as Americans, do it all the time, and we can't, is a major reason we love Europe, and it's terribly good for both our physical and mental health.
I must say, I agree on this one with St Cirq, tho I have no house in France, I have many friends to visit but I never stay at their homes when invited as we like to live our days there on our own where we want to roam. My home too if filled with many things gifts and bought
and we have always shopped like the French and Italians. Tho my parents were born in Italy, my love has always been Provence (since a child.) We shop every day for food, because we believe in fresh food and artisan made for health plus it gives you a sense of community when you live in the city.
I also think that having people around you who care about you is very important. I have always noticed that in the French and Italians. People who put you down are toxic and should be avoided. Smelling your freshly made coffee in the morning is a start, happiness is part of that, a lust for life.
and we have always shopped like the French and Italians. Tho my parents were born in Italy, my love has always been Provence (since a child.) We shop every day for food, because we believe in fresh food and artisan made for health plus it gives you a sense of community when you live in the city.
I also think that having people around you who care about you is very important. I have always noticed that in the French and Italians. People who put you down are toxic and should be avoided. Smelling your freshly made coffee in the morning is a start, happiness is part of that, a lust for life.
Although that I now reside in the USA, I try to live La Dolce Vita everyday.
I haven't read this book, but assuming that your description is accurate--and I have no reason to doubt that--it sounds like it is grossly idealizing Italian culture and overgeneralizing about a country whose culture is not at all uniform.
La Dolce Vita isn't dependent upon a place, it's dependent on the individual's state of mind. When I ended up with an ulcer about 20 years ago, I just decided to stop working 60 hours a week, unplug my telephone on the weekends, and spend as much time as possible with family and friends.
It's been very, very nice. I probably could have made more money over the years if I hadn't done this, but what use is the money if you don't have time to enjoy it--so we don't own his and hers jet skis or a snowmobile.
It's been very, very nice. I probably could have made more money over the years if I hadn't done this, but what use is the money if you don't have time to enjoy it--so we don't own his and hers jet skis or a snowmobile.
*IMO)
To enjoy ones life each day and to let yourself be happy, has nothing to do with Italian, French or American, it is inside us all and we are all capable of making the choice of being happy today or being sad/angry/resentful,etc.
Yikes, I sound like the Guru~
StCirq manages to do it against many odds
teenagers and a business are certainly aspects of life that can make a person withdraw and be morose and tired all the time!
I, like Mimi, find that I never get to Europe enough, but I can surround myself with the things that I love that are "European" to me, things as simple as a fabric or a poster that remind me of a place or just an atmosphere that I love in some faraway place.
Our new home will be my new test for transmitting this "feeling" of the Sweet Life into the rooms and gardens, so I will always appreciate the Good Life, wherever I am.
While La Dolce Vita is Italian, each country/language has its equivalent, so I don't think it is grossly idealizing Italian culture.
To enjoy ones life each day and to let yourself be happy, has nothing to do with Italian, French or American, it is inside us all and we are all capable of making the choice of being happy today or being sad/angry/resentful,etc.
Yikes, I sound like the Guru~
StCirq manages to do it against many odds
teenagers and a business are certainly aspects of life that can make a person withdraw and be morose and tired all the time!I, like Mimi, find that I never get to Europe enough, but I can surround myself with the things that I love that are "European" to me, things as simple as a fabric or a poster that remind me of a place or just an atmosphere that I love in some faraway place.
Our new home will be my new test for transmitting this "feeling" of the Sweet Life into the rooms and gardens, so I will always appreciate the Good Life, wherever I am.
While La Dolce Vita is Italian, each country/language has its equivalent, so I don't think it is grossly idealizing Italian culture.
It was only in 1987, here in Boston that the out door cafes became popular so that the Euro kids who moved in had places to hang out. Nice for tourists but I must say, it drove me and people out of our neighborhoods because the rents became too high. My apartment is now an office. It breaks my heart when I walk by it next to the Armani Cafe that was once an art gallery. But such is the same in Europe. I have a photograph, I took in Provence in the 70's and that village is like it doesn't exist anymore.
So like lillie, rufus, kismet, scarlett and St cirq, know that La Dolce Vita is an expresion but know it's our way of life.
"?ou can't find beauty, unless you bring it with you."
"?ou can't find beauty, unless you bring it with you."
It takes me a long time to type but What I'm saying is you make your La Dolce Vite here, where ever you are and it will bcome infectious with those about you. And that you only get with someone with the attitude of our OP ohblondie who knows that the American fast food life is not the way.
Gee that didn't work the way I thought it did.
Basically what I thought I posted was this: people are pretty much the same everywhere. Some are living "La Dolce Vita" and some are in hell. It's their choice, each moment. People always seem to be happier or more serene or living life more fully while we are on vacation because that is how we are at that moment. Like cigalechanta posted, bring the beauty with you.
I believe it's possible to live in joy and work 60 hours a week, if that is your bliss.
I've found it's difficult for me to find bliss if I'm comparing myself to someone else. I find "La Dolce Vita" by walking the path that is in front of me at this moment and not casting my eyes around at other people's path. Or even my own future, if I can do nothing about it at the moment.
Basically what I thought I posted was this: people are pretty much the same everywhere. Some are living "La Dolce Vita" and some are in hell. It's their choice, each moment. People always seem to be happier or more serene or living life more fully while we are on vacation because that is how we are at that moment. Like cigalechanta posted, bring the beauty with you.
I believe it's possible to live in joy and work 60 hours a week, if that is your bliss.
I've found it's difficult for me to find bliss if I'm comparing myself to someone else. I find "La Dolce Vita" by walking the path that is in front of me at this moment and not casting my eyes around at other people's path. Or even my own future, if I can do nothing about it at the moment.
Yes, that is the trick, incorporating the idea of The Sweet Life into our thoughts wherever we are and keeping them!
I also received at Christmas the book Entre Nous which says essentially the same philosophy from a French woman's point of view.
I wonder if my friends are trying to tell me something? No, they just know that I do need more than a little taste of La Dolce Vita, I need to live it every day, while I am living the life, as C says, he calls it The Pleasure of Life.
(Thanks for all the good ideas everyone)
I also received at Christmas the book Entre Nous which says essentially the same philosophy from a French woman's point of view.
I wonder if my friends are trying to tell me something? No, they just know that I do need more than a little taste of La Dolce Vita, I need to live it every day, while I am living the life, as C says, he calls it The Pleasure of Life.
(Thanks for all the good ideas everyone)
This is a good time to be thinking of these things, since in January we're in something of a resolution-making frame of mind.
Reading these thoughtful posts reminded me of an old (southern, I guess) directive to "Bloom where you're planted."
Byrd
Reading these thoughtful posts reminded me of an old (southern, I guess) directive to "Bloom where you're planted."
Byrd
Ira--I'm laughing over my second cup of coffee, because you're right!
I guess it's a little early in the morning for philosophical comments!
I suppose I was jsut thinking of making your own "dolce vita" wherever you're "planted!"
Byrd
I guess it's a little early in the morning for philosophical comments!
I suppose I was jsut thinking of making your own "dolce vita" wherever you're "planted!"
Byrd
I don't think working all year like a fiend for a few weeks vacation is living La Dolce Vita - unfortunately.
The idea to me is that the people living The Sweet Life are happy whereever they are and don't need to go somewhere else to feel it. Many Europeans (I know mostly about Italians coming from a family where part of it is still in Italy) don't feel the need to travel outside of their country and are perfectly satisfied to stick close to home all of their lives.
It is a way of life that they have cultivated for thousands of years, they rely on their history and sense of family for support and happiness.
I think here in America we are a restless nation, always moving our homes and seeking out new places to visit which makes us who we are and this is what creates the paradox, we need money to have and do and see what we want and then are too stressed to enjoy daily life but are great travelers.
Generally of course.
The idea to me is that the people living The Sweet Life are happy whereever they are and don't need to go somewhere else to feel it. Many Europeans (I know mostly about Italians coming from a family where part of it is still in Italy) don't feel the need to travel outside of their country and are perfectly satisfied to stick close to home all of their lives.
It is a way of life that they have cultivated for thousands of years, they rely on their history and sense of family for support and happiness.
I think here in America we are a restless nation, always moving our homes and seeking out new places to visit which makes us who we are and this is what creates the paradox, we need money to have and do and see what we want and then are too stressed to enjoy daily life but are great travelers.
Generally of course.
