“Luxury is anything that feels special. I mean, it can be a moment, it can be a walk on the beach, it can be a kiss from your child, or it can be a beautiful picture frame, a special fragrance. I think Luxury doesn’t necessarily have to mean expensive. Aerin Lauder
In the face of media coverage touting the glories of excessive living, fueled by an illusion of unlimited funds and unrestricted access, it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that luxury is reserved for only the wealthiest among us. I am happy to report that this is not true. In fact, if you reflect on the definition of luxury proposed above by my Mrs. Lauder, nothing could be further from the truth. When we define luxury as something that feels special, it’s amazing how long the list of things we can frame as luxurious can grow.
To prove my point, I’ve dedicated the rest of this article to a long list of things that “feel special” to me and that I consider luxurious. What would be on your list?
A starched shirt, a warm terry towel, a cashmere sweater on a cold afternoon
The airy feel of a crystal glass, peanut butter and jelly on hot toast, puppy breath.
A scented candle, a leather-bound book, fresh bedding, and a single orchid plant
A leather notebook, a heavy fountain pen, Sunday comics, sunsets
The smell of lavender, a new suitcase, carved pumpkins, a thick woolen jacket.
New shoes, a little black dress, cufflinks and a linen shirt on a hot summer day
Silver frames, camera in hand, Christmas decorations, kittens.
An inspired idea, a hot cup of coffee, homemade cookies, a zero balance on your credit card
A smile, a hug, holding hands with someone special, mistletoe
The smell of a roast turkey, a crackling fire, receiving flowers, falling snow
Falling rain, waterproof boots, umbrella, hot tea.
An old friend, a newspaper, faded jeans, a turtleneck.
Storm, rainbow, splash in a puddle, dry clothes
Stacks of books, time, silence, beeswax.
As you can see, my list is hardly full of over-spending items; in fact, most are ‘things’ woven smoothly into the daily lives of most people, myself included. What elevates them to luxury status is our mindset, our awareness, and our appreciation.
If we move through our lives with a mindset that regularly searches for the beautiful, the precious, and the dear, then these are the things we will find. And with each discovery there will be an additional layer that will transmute the experience into one of great and lasting luxury.
A great deal of mind will go to waste if our eyes are not wide open to receive, see and perceive these delicious finds that often lurk in the ordinary corners of our lives.
And of course, without a level of gratitude or appreciation, all the luxury in the world can quickly become expected and we begin to take for granted more than we are grateful for. This negates the entire exercise.
It is much better to be wrapped up in the many little luxuries that a conscious and grateful mind discovers than all the expensive ‘toys’ in the world.