I read a book called My Friend Michael by Frank Cascio a
while back, about Michael Jackson. His
life sounded so glamorous as it was filled with first class travel, the money
to buy whatever he wanted, fabulous hotels where he booked out an entire floor,
not to mention being an international celebrity.
But sadly we all know how Michael’s story ended. As he grew bigger and bigger he began taking
prescription medicines just to cope with the stress of it all. Part of me wonders why he didn’t downsize his
life and just enjoy what he had, but as it was all he had known from age 5,
that thought probably didn’t occur to him.
Besides, you don’t get to be an international pop superstar
by being a relaxed person who takes things in their stride.
As a side note, it was a fabulous book and I was really
impressed by Michael’s goal-setting and visualisation that the author described
so well. The book is a good motivational
tool. I made heaps of notes!
I have a cousin who, having just turned 30 is an extremely
successful businessman that lives literally all over the world. He has two homes (Miami and London) and
probably spends more time in hotel rooms and airplanes than he does in those.
He commented to a family member a while back that he feels
sorry for me to be ‘stuck’ in our shop every day and never going anywhere. I was quite astounded when I heard that as I
have never felt this way and don’t consider our shop to be any different from
other jobs I have had where I was obliged to show up at the office each
day. It’s just what I do.
An international life sounds glamorous and fun in theory,
and I am definitely guilty of daydreaming when I see the celebrity photos of
all the stars striding out from the airport gates (I have to process what they
are wearing – cool sunglasses, check, leggings or skinny jeans, check, great
jacket and loopy scarf, check).
But I am a home-loving person at heart who relishes routine
and early nights, nesting and home-cooked meals. If I even have too many late nights I am all
out of sorts.
And to do all these things that I love you have to have a
job or lifestyle that means you can live in the one city and be home at a
reasonable hour. I love that I spend
each day in a familiar place and come to the same home each night.
When I go away on a rare holiday I just cannot wait to get
home. Heck, even when I am out for the
day I cannot wait to get home!
So I guess it’s lucky I am not an international jetsetter
then isn’t it? But in the meantime I
will enjoy perfecting the superstar travel uniform, just in case.
Image from zimbio.com
Oh wow, I do not envy your cousins need to travel for work. My sister is also wealthy but must travel the world incessantly for her job. When she arrives at her destination it's all about business and no time to really enjoy the culture. Also, she always seems to be tired from it. Although I would like to travel more I wouldn't want to have to do it. Actually, I think you and I are a bit more "spoiled" being able to come home each day and just relax; there is a sense of stability.
ReplyDeleteAmen. I am exactly the same as you about home. As much as I love to travel, the thought of leaving home is overwhelming...I do it and I enjoy the "new" experience that travel always brings, but I am ALWAYS ready to be back home.
ReplyDelete" But in the meantime I will enjoy perfecting the superstar travel uniform, just in case. " ... love it! Sometimes even going to a family event or some place in town and wondering what to wear etc... a superstar travel uniform has been the perfect choice eliminating all the guess work . Very refreshing poat and outlook !
ReplyDeleteFrom one shop girl to another: it is my experience that many people who travel constantly for their work become more interested in the trappings of travel rather than where they are (which they have little or no time to enjoy). I prefer to celebrate the every day.
ReplyDeleteWow why do we compare ourselves in the first place?
ReplyDeleteHope your cousin is happy with his or her lot.
I know I am content with my pedestrian lifestyle....
and I think you are too.
Keeping life simple is harder to do than it looks!
I adore travel on the other hand I appreciate being in my atelier amongst my paintings - balance is the key word.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite quotes is "stop the glorification of busy". It's perfect for me. I, too, love being at home and the routine of my daily life. Holidays are lovely but I literally count the days until I'm home again. Everyday, I thank God for my "boring life".
ReplyDeleteTo me, simple is beautiful.
I used to live abroad and every year we took between 24 and 30 flights. This was a nightmare and there are only so many things that you can do in an airport especially with children even when you are in the lounges. It all sounds good but I am with you it is great to be home. I love when I can sit back, everything I wanted to achieve that day done with a sense of achievement and most important - happiness.
ReplyDeleteI'm a homebody as well. Routine and the comforts of home are so important to me and I dislike traveling and being away from my home--the occasional road trip can be fun but I'm always so glad to get back home and into a routine. I understand what you're saying and I so agree!
ReplyDeleteI agree that your lifestyle is more desirable than the cousin's. I used to have two weeks a year for holidays and I remember that we spent a lot of money to stay in nice hotels. But our house wasn't in a great location and it was years before we got it fixed up to look nice. My life has moved on a lot and now I live in Britain in a much nicer house in a better location. I'm very happy to be there most of the time. The only thing I miss is having summer!
ReplyDeletethat's great that you are being content with the life you have. That is a lot in itself and a blessing many don;t or can't have.
ReplyDeleteYes, I know peeps like your cousin, even at my work, who travel all the time (whereas I get back to see my mother and family in England only once every 5 years) but the novelty of that jet set life quickly wears off. Often they end up lonely and rootless. I think a lot of it comes down to one's own attitude.
BTW,like your blog. Love your intro description and the sentence (on your other post) about just feeling better losing weight.
As for Michael J--a total pervert and now proven paedophile. He used to be so great but too much too often and too soon ruined him. With all hi riches and all he could have done for this world, the world is better off without him. I'm sure that ruffles a lot of peeps but reality is he took advantage of many young for his own vain pursuits
Hi Fiona,
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see you posting again on your superb blog! A belated welcome back (and thank you) to you!
Had been on a digital diet, i.e. no computer after work so I just saw your recent posts now.
A chic life to me is largely determined by the satisfaction we derive from the lives we've built for ourselves - the degree to which the people, the work and the environment suits one's personality and brings pleasure.
So while your cousin's tastes may run to international travel and jet-setting business, it doesn't mean that our own relatively quieter lives are any less satisfying or chic!
Also I feel that the spiritual/giving side of life also rounds out the chic factor and provides depth and meaning to the pleasure of life = more chicness! :)
Have a wonderful week!
Your old blog friend from Canada, Jeanne
The author is a family friend of mine, I stumbled onto your blog and this was the 1st post my eyes clicked on. Small world and great blog!
ReplyDeleteseemstomeems.blogspot.com