Il dolce far niente

My day started at 5 am. I rushed to work, classes, lunch with friends, and to a meeting- all in the pouring rain. Finally, I decided to stop by a coffee shop downtown for a much needed pick me up. Everyone that knows me well is aware of my slight ( ok total) addiction to coffee. So when I find great coffee I get really, really excited. So I walked in, ordered a latte and went up  to the mezzanine level of the shop. I have to mention that my town has very few coffee shops, and hardly any that aren't chains. This shop is definitely the closest thing I have to the cozy, hole in the wall cafes that I frequented while visiting New York City. The upstairs level has such a unique atmosphere- the ceiling has exposed pipes, giving off a rustic feel, and shelves line the walls with books. The room is kind of dark, with  cozy armchairs, and cute lamps to brighten up dark corners in the room. There is even a collection of old- fashioned kerosine lamps displayed on  top of the shelves. While I sat and took in the cozy atmosphere, the friendly barista brought me my latte in a ceramic mug- not a to go cup! I don't know why, but somehow coffee is much more enjoyable in a real cup, despite how convenient those paper to go cups are. Maybe it's because with a real cup, you have to sit and enjoy the coffee- savor its aroma, smooth layer of foam, and flavor. With go cups, you have the tendency to gulp down the coffee, ignoring the taste, waiting for that jolt of caffeine to kick in and help you go about your to do list. I think most of us tend to live life in the " to go cup" way- speeding through the day, trying to accomplish as much as possible, without stopping to savor the moment. While I don't think we all need an "  Eat, Pray,Love" experience to learn how to slow down, I think we can find small ways to be more present in our days. It only takes people like your neighborhood coffee shop barista, or a still moment in a hectic day, to help you realize that it's the simple things that count. These  moments of release, escape,  and inspiration are the ones we cherish. The moments that we look back on  and can smile about. So, here's to finding the sweetness in doing nothing- " il dolce far niente" as the Italians say, and finding many more ways to savor the moment with those we are closest to.

              --Mercey

In the corporate workplace, there is no time for idle behavior. A new job at a local hospital has taught me this lesson soundly, (although not very sweetly). Time equals money, and money equals power. Purchasing power, social power, and the infinite ability to influence. That, my friends, is unfortunately, the defining standard in industrial America. Waste time, and things don’t get done which equals a very unhappy little socialite (like myself) not getting paid. And it's true what they say: a hungry girl, is an angry girl. A quick look at recent unemployment statistics, in comparison to the depression and violence rates will attest to the fact that people are usually happier when there is greater output in the workplace ( which means greater input in their pockets <3 )But why is that so?  How is it that the happiness of a nation has somehow become hinged to our professional productivity? When did the "on to the next task" attitude replace the "stop and smell the flowers" mantra that used to be touted so fervently? The inbred necessity to assign a purpose to every action has tainted life's most basic comforts both in, and out of the workplace. Reader, when was the last time that you thought to yourself: I do not need to act; to create; I can just sit in the sun and enjoy the utter stillness of doing nothing. The Italian people ( in my opinion, some of the most intelligent in the world, obviously) are so sold on the importance of finding pleasure in idleness, that they have actually set aside a phrase dedicated to the fabulous idea: "il dolce far niente" --the sweetness of doing nothing. The idea itself is pure brilliance: immersing oneself in the enjoyment of doing things without purpose. Spending time in happiness instead of constantly pursuing it. Granted, a purpose-driven life is commendable, and ambitions are important; but is leading a life dictated by goals and deadlines any way to live at all? When life moves so fast, is there any time left to enjoy it?  So, our dear reader, this is a blog dedicated to you, and me. we, and us. and exploring the beautiful conundrum that is--il dolce far niente: the sweetness of doing absolutely nothing.

--Pearl