11.16.2015

# Paris

Our Thoughts Are With Paris...



What a sad time in our world. I know that, like me, many of you hold a special place in your heart for Paris. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the Parisian terror attacks and their families as well as to all of us around the world who long for peace.



When I lived in Paris, it was a simpler, more innocent time. I cling to those memories because today's world is rapidly changing, often in a scary and senseless direction.



To honor the Parisians, we can all strive to live beautiful lives, even amidst the chaos of the modern world. I am so grateful for the lessons I learned while living in Paris with Madame Chic and will forever be grateful to France for shifting my perspective and helping me to see the beauty of everyday life.



My regularly scheduled blog post will be delayed until tomorrow...



See you then, and in the meantime let's honor the Parisians by making our everyday lives a work of art.

With love,

Jennifer x


** All pictures in this post are from when I lived in Paris, during the year 2001.

14 comments:

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

My heart goes out to Parisians at this difficult time...
I love Paris and hope that the people will find strength and will not be paralyzed by the threat of terrorist activity.
I am praying for Paris.

Unknown said...

Yes, our thoughts and prayers are certainly with those in Paris. How nice you were able to visit when you did. I think at this time, I would think twice before being an exchange student in this turbulent world. Unfortunately that is exactly what the terrorists want - turmoil and chaos.

Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns said...

Yes, our thoughts and prayers are with those in Paris. I could not agree with you more about the changes in Paris. I have been visiting there one a year for over 30 years and each year it is different. There is less and less of the Paris that we know and love from the old movies, and books and more commercialism, more "big name"cafes instead of the little mom and pop places and there are a lot more pick pockets and the like

Have a nice day.

Nana said...

Here in Brazil we are suffering for the victims of a dam that broke and buried an entire town with mud.
God bless all the victims of Brazil and Paris.
Kisses and God bless you.
http://procurandoamigosvirtuais.blogspot.com

Rose said...

Indeed, prayers for Paris. May we all be able to inspire them as they have always inspired us.

Fiona Ferris said...

Lovely post, thank you Jennifer.

Gigi said...

The whole world is a different place - and it's sad. I pray for us all.

Unknown said...

Thank you for your heartfelt post, so beautifully expressed. Back in the 70's, I had the chance to go off to Paris to study French for the entire summer after I graduated from high school. I've never forgotten it, and carried those incredible experiences with me ever after -- & of course, I've had a life-long love for Paris ever since. Such a completely different time, a different world. Prayers for Paris, and prayers for our world. Many thanks for your wonderful and inspiring work, and thank you again for this post.

Unknown said...

My thoughts are also with the similar attacks, earlier last week, perpetrated by the same monsters on Beirut and Baghdad. We are all Parisians.

Vicki Zimmerman said...

Jennifer, thank you for your beautiful and uplifting sentiments, as we all share in this tragedy, and hope for love and compassion on the larger world stage.

Your photos, from 2001, are beautiful and your smile is so refreshing. As I saw this past weekend, on a yoga mat at a mindfulness meditation retreat, one woman's mat said: Everyone smiles in the same language. The world needs more of this.

Stephanie said...

Jennifer,
Thank you for this post. Even though I have never had an opportunity to visit Paris, it still holds a special place in my heart, as you said. I felt some comfort in looking at your pictures and reading your words. Thank you for sharing.

Miss Betsy said...

When I was in high school I took French. Our teacher taught us "La Marseillaise". That was fifty years ago. As I watched the news and saw the courageous and dignified Parisians singing that stirring national anthem, all the words came flooding back to me and I found myself singing along with them, through my tears. Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing with us your lovely pictures of Paris. What a beautiful tribute.

Deborah Childs said...

Lovely post Jennifer! My husband & I are currently on honeymoon in Paris. We were concerned initially about whether to still to visit. We decided we would as we live in London & met the day after the 7/7 bombings in London over 10 years ago. The British message back then was to carry on with normal life & not allow terrorists to intimidate us & we did so knowing security & protection would be better than ever & being mindful. We decided to come & support the Parisians. We're having a wonderful time! So glad we made the decision still to come. Police & armed forces presence is high which helps with the feeling of safety. Thinking of those across the world suffering! Thank you Jennifer for reminding me to be grateful for everyday & mindful that each day is a special occasion & a gift! X

Deborah Childs said...

Lovely post Jennifer! My husband & I are currently on honeymoon in Paris. We were concerned initially about whether to still to visit. We decided we would as we live in London & met the day after the 7/7 bombings in London over 10 years ago. The British message back then was to carry on with normal life & not allow terrorists to intimidate us & we did so knowing security & protection would be better than ever & being mindful. We decided to come & support the Parisians. We're having a wonderful time! So glad we made the decision still to come. Police & armed forces presence is high which helps with the feeling of safety. Thinking of those across the world suffering! Thank you Jennifer for reminding me to be grateful for everyday & mindful that each day is a special occasion & a gift! X