Joie de Vivre

“Joie de Vivre“, a term introduced to me by a great man; Hans Heymann (1920-2012).

Hans definitely embodied what it meant to have “Joie de Vivre”, a joy of life. With his passing on Tuesday, memories flooded back reminding me of the time that he looked at me and told me that I too, had the “Joie de Vivre”. I am not one for New Years Resolutions, however I feel that this is a good time to reflect and take a look at your life over the past year. Have you done everything you wanted to do? What have you accomplished? And did you enjoy the process?

Maybe sometimes we need a reminder to always have a zest for life. To go about your day with a smile on your face, and to enjoy the process. I know I do, and his passing was just the reminder I needed.

The photo below was one that I took during a trip to California with my husband. We were there to run the San Diego Marathon. Talk about a process! We trained for months and had a blast running together. It was hard work but we did it with a smile. This photo hangs above our bed, and I look at it every day…many times a day in fact. It brings me back to that place again, and always fills me with good thoughts. I guess my point here is to find something like a great photo,  that reminds you to live life to the fullest, and find joy in all that you do.

In honor or Hans, I have now renamed this piece “Joie de Vivre”.