April 29th - Allure

"Taking joy in life is a woman's best cosmetic."

-Rosalind Russell 

Allure: the quality of being powerfully and mysteriously 

attractive or fascinating. 

Let me tell you, I don't think I know anything about being mysterious or alluring, 
at least I don't think I do. 

I love everything Sarah has to say today, here it is in full.

Start Quote

Ingrid Bergman had it in Casablanca.

Fifty years later, Michelle Pfeiffer epitomized it as Edith Wharton's heroine, 

Countess Ellen Olenska, in the film version of 

The Age of Innocence.  

It is allure, the mesmerizing power to entice or attract 

through personal charm and mystery.

We're not so much into mystery these days, which is a pity.

These are the times of tell-all talk shows, 

tattletale books, and tabloid truths...

Ntozake Shange believes that 

'Where there is a woman, there is magic,' 

and I agree. 

But I also believe that where there is a woman, 

there should be mystery. 

What intrigues me most is the mystery -the allure- 

of how some women seem to pull it all together so effortlessly. 

This is the aspect of the feminine mystique 

that compels and invites investigation...

You see them in business meetings

-confident, assured, and in command

-or smiling serenely in the hallway at school while waiting patiently to pick up the afternoon carpool, a baby over one shoulder, a toddler in tow.

These women don't look 
frazzled, fatigued, or fed up;

they look fabulous.

They do not simply juggle;

they fly through the air with the greatest of ease.

You wonder: what is their secret?

Are they on Prozac?

Is it plenty of money, 

being well organized, 

positive thinking, 

or the favorable alignment of celestial bodies?

Perhaps it is something more profound;

a deep spiritual connection.

Does the computer ever break down 

when these women are on deadline, 

do the kids ever whine,

does the car ever need to be towed, 

have they ever taken a dog 

who's just wrestled with a porcupine to the vet?

You and I have, 

which is why occasionally Rio de Janeiro sounds appealing.

Then, 
without missing a beat, 
you wipe a snotty nose, change a dirty diaper, defrost the hamburger in the microwave, start the spaghetti sauce, sew a button on a coat, help someone with her homework. 

You pause for a moment, 
wondering what they would do if you weren't here 
and realize 
in the same breath 
that you're awfully glad you are. 

Much to your astonishment, 
it occurs to you that you must also posses some aspect of allure 
because everybody in the house gravitates to you. 

In the middle of the night they call your name.

And there's certainly enough of mystery to ponder

-such as the mystery of what will happen next.

But instead of worrying or obsessing, 
you decide to just let go and see what occurs. 

You choose to take joy in your real life as it unfolds 
day by day, 
hour by hour, 
a heartbeat at a time. 

Emily Dickinson confessed that 
"To live is so startling, it leaves little time for anything else." 

Your face may never end up on the silver screen. Nor will mine. 

But we can arrive at an inner awareness 
that just living and loving it all 
is alluring enough.

End Quote

Huh. 

I guess I'm alluring after all.

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Gratitude Journal

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1) Friends. Friends are good. Friends that you can spend all day with...

2) My car is broken, but it got us home...it should get us to the mechanic on Monday...

3) Friends who will come pick you and your three kids and their car seats up so we can go to church too and not risk our car breaking down on the way...

4) Today is over...the kids are asleep...and there will be no more whining today...

5) Flowers.