Origin of Joie de vivre
French, literally, joy of living
First Known Use: 1889
(From on-line Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
I read this French saying just yesterday in the Agatha Christie thriller, They Came to Baghdad. (Originally published in 1952)
Christie was describing her main character. This young woman was willing to drop everything to go on an
adventure and follow a handsome young man she just met from London to Baghdad.
I don't think anyone would use that phrase to describe me. I love life and I find joy in living but.... I can be a bit cautious. Yes, you will find me dancing in my chair (or my car) to music that moves me. Yes, I do my "happy dance" when things go my way. And yes, many an officemate has heard me cheer for myself when I am feeling particularly proud of my work. But....I am not impulsive in a joy-filled way.
I notice joie de vivre more in children than I do in adults. They are more willing to not censor themselves in
situations as adults would do. They let their joy take over and experience the moment fully. They see the possibilities in life's joyful moments, not the pitfalls.
So I ask you:
~ Do you have moments of joie de vivre in your life?
~ Do you have a certain relationship where you can be vulnerable and fully experience the joy of life?
~ What music makes you dance in your car?
~ How can you let go and be more child-like just once each day?
I am going to try and embrace those moments. I am going to give myself permission to be fully present in the joie de vivre of my life. And if you are driving next to me...give me a nod and smile...and then turn your radio up and dance!
(The picture is of my daughter, Katie, dancing in the car! Like mother, like daughter!)
~ Pam
French, literally, joy of living
First Known Use: 1889
(From on-line Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
I read this French saying just yesterday in the Agatha Christie thriller, They Came to Baghdad. (Originally published in 1952)
Christie was describing her main character. This young woman was willing to drop everything to go on an
adventure and follow a handsome young man she just met from London to Baghdad.
I don't think anyone would use that phrase to describe me. I love life and I find joy in living but.... I can be a bit cautious. Yes, you will find me dancing in my chair (or my car) to music that moves me. Yes, I do my "happy dance" when things go my way. And yes, many an officemate has heard me cheer for myself when I am feeling particularly proud of my work. But....I am not impulsive in a joy-filled way.
I notice joie de vivre more in children than I do in adults. They are more willing to not censor themselves in
situations as adults would do. They let their joy take over and experience the moment fully. They see the possibilities in life's joyful moments, not the pitfalls.
So I ask you:
~ Do you have moments of joie de vivre in your life?
~ Do you have a certain relationship where you can be vulnerable and fully experience the joy of life?
~ What music makes you dance in your car?
~ How can you let go and be more child-like just once each day?
I am going to try and embrace those moments. I am going to give myself permission to be fully present in the joie de vivre of my life. And if you are driving next to me...give me a nod and smile...and then turn your radio up and dance!
(The picture is of my daughter, Katie, dancing in the car! Like mother, like daughter!)
~ Pam
