I knew when I started this blog I wanted to share about the women who have inspired me to pursue a healthy balanced life. My first installment in this series will introduce you to a woman whose zest for living well, pursuit of knowledge, and appreciation of all things beautiful have touched my world in joyous life affirming ways. Her name is Alexandra Stoddard and this is why she is such an inspiration to me.
I was twenty-two and newly married when I discovered the books of Alexandra Stoddard. An interior designer by trade, she authored numerous books on creating and living a beautiful life. I devoured her advice like a starving man would a slice of bread. I learned about the concepts of keeping it simple, appropriate and beautiful. I absorbed her advice on dealing not just with the aesthetics of the home but how to deal with friends, family, coworkers and life in general in a gracious way. I soaked up how she emphasized transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary ones.
As Ms. Stoddard’s life continued to expand and change so did her writings, moving from a primarily design oriented focus to being known as a philosopher of contemporary living and is considered by some to be a pioneer in the happiness movement. She continues to write with a perceptive eye and while her feet are firmly planted on terra firma she shares her deep appreciation for the spiritual in her work that uplifts and allows you to soar.
Her books have greatly contributed to how I have chosen to live a healthy balanced life. Her own life is a motivating history of a woman who balances work with play, beauty with function, social activity and a need for private time, and so much more. She lives a large and small life at the same time, experiencing high culture with an artist’s eye and a simple cup of tea at her cottage with the same joy and enthusiasm. She oozes a deep satisfaction with life and I dare you not to feel it too after spending time with her words. In the world of personal fulfillment, she is one of my heroes. I invite you all to experience the beauty of her world.
Go here to see her Amazon page and if you enjoy the idea of making life beautiful, meaningful and richly your own, order a copy of any of her writings and get ready to see the world from a thoughtful, softer and more lovely point of view.
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Love her books! Great write up here. Thanks for sharing this with your readers.
Thank you for sharing this with us, CC. It is always great to hear about new people and sources of inspiration.