In Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence, (1) style and poise dictate your social position. It is easy to stumble and fall away from your personal brand, your perceived quality — shallow but, unfortunately, real for the time.
Our age has seemingly gone to the opposite extreme. Elegance is virtually frowned upon. The torn jeans, ubiquitous body tattoos, and the overall disheveled look of the average person certainly solidifies this view. That said, there is a counter view that is beginning to prevail. More and more podcasts outline how a sophisticated man should dress and appear in public. (2) One’s command of eating etiquette is also sought out at the dinner table or banquet. (3)
Why is this change afoot? It is because we have priced ourselves out of the market. Say what? Today, virtually all post-Millennials are 100%. Everyone has their perfect teeth, a body that is taut because of youth and some wealth implicit in the family. What makes me stand out from other individuals in this highly competitive world? What makes me 100% plus? It can only be my personal brand, my poise and elegance.
So, what is one to do to achieve such a state? The very first requirement is the realization that I am worthy of elegance. This includes a deep acceptance of the realization that I am, and will remain, a work in progress until I die. I will be my own Michelangelo sculpting at 88. (4) The edifice I will be sculpting, of course, is me. The second thing I am required to acknowledge is that my emotional well-being is of my own creation. I can weather any storm — I must repeat to believe.
Thirdly, I must have an intrinsic understanding that I have a mission in life and have been placed here on this earth to accomplish a task. It is to be discovered or uncovered through prayer and reflection. The Internet is a wonderful tool. When I decide to improve my brand, my elegance, I have to simply go to the net to research how to look and act physically and psychologically superior. The doubters and naysayers, unfortunately, will be left behind. Stand up and present the beautiful you, your elegance and beauty. You won’t be disappointed in your age of elegance. The great writer Somerset Maugham (5) leaves us with a thought: The well-dressed man is he whose clothes you never notice.
A closing thought: We all aspire to be better than we were at the beginning of our life journey. We all want to improve our lives, spiritually, physically, and psychologically. It is necessary to feel worthy of the journey, for it is a very long life, fraught with many challenges as well as joys.
To sum up: This week, we spoke about finding our inner and exterior elegance.
To be noted: From Lilly Pulitzer (6) — Style isn’t just about what you wear, it’s about how you live.
Just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQkf2d1EaTo&ab_channel=ClassicalTunes
For reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x0aGgdFDTg&ab_channel=TheHistoryofByzantiumPodcast
This week, on your insightful walk, please reflect on your own elegant life journey.
Every day, look for something magical and beautiful.
Don’t be a wage slave – critical thinking is great!
Quote: Live your life with some style.
Footnotes:
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3Mx8OSlNYM&ab_channel=CRITERION
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbzV480i384&ab_channel=RealMenRealStyle
3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDGGv7z5r2c&t=363s&ab_channel=TheDistilledMan
4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioVNFqQ5Zlg&ab_channel=ManuelBravo
5) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35zdFvas0uQ&ab_channel=ManufacturingIntellect