Kristin et Jean-Marc Espinasse
Real estate is my bread and butter. Because of this wonderful lifestyle, I have been blessed to travel, own a nice home, help others who need more than myself, and have a comfortable existence on a daily basis. But deep within I dream of achieving something significant .. something based on "higher" ideals than simply making a living .. something creative to stir emotional response inside another human being. This blog is one vehicle for that dream.
So few of us truly live our passion. So many of us go through life on a false treadmill of "One of these days" and "I'll do it when I have the time" .. slowly letting life slip by without making the perceived sacrifices necessary to do what we love on a daily basis. We were each given gifts beyond imagination .. gifts we bury beneath the all too common misperception that "work" is not meant to be fun, or uplifting, or celebrated every moment of our lives. What a wonderful dictionary of life it will be when the word "work" is replaced by "creativity".
I often remark to others that I am deeply envious of Child Prodigies .. those who were born with a gift so deeply entrenched in their souls that they have complete and total focus .. nothing can dissuade them from the inner passion and drive to excel. They know ... their life is a fantastic mission to reach the full potential of an innate gift. These fortunate few were blessed, for whatever reason, to reach heights of the human capability. I believe they were gifted in order to provide an example to the rest of us .. an example that clearly shows the possibilities available if we will simply cast all the false trappings aside and give ourselves completely to what we know to be our unique and personal blessings.
Aside from those born with innate knowledge, there are those few who "find" their passion, recognize what they must do in order to realize their potential, and live a life filled with joy, gratification, and fulfillment. Many of us recognize these truths .. few are then willing to make the necessary adjustments and changes to bring the creative life to fruition. Those few are who the masses aspire to be .. reaching great heights of joy only available to enlightened persons and their creativity .. creativity which only blossoms after it is recognized then acted upon. My personal goal is to be one of them.
In my experience, and maybe only my own faulted experience, one of the stumbling blocks to reaching this goal of being creative and happy is the odd human trait of possessiveness. We humanoids seem to be very guarded about sharing the most treasured entities in our lives. The simple act of introducing a best friend to another, a favorite restaurant, music we feel is "ours", special experiences that for some odd reason we feel will be diminished of importance when told to others. And, having become aware of this disturbing trait in myself and others, I have simultaneously begun to notice an absence of that quirk in many of those I consider to be evolved into that rare strata of "living their passion on a daily basis". This post is to honor, thank, and recognize one such person and her extraordinary husband, Kristin and Jean-Marc Espinasse.
You all know I love France, and in loving France I spend many hours pouring over "things French" on the web. Some years ago I came across a wonderful website, titled French-Word-A-Day. To compact a very long story into a very short statement .. I've been a transfixed and loyal follower of Kristin's "work/passion" ever since. As I followed her blog, I soon became aware of her husband, Master Vintner Jean-Marc. If Kristin's writing had not been enough (and it was .. and it is), after tasting the wonderful wines Jean-Marc was producing in The Vaucluse I knew I had to go meet these extraordinary people on my next trip to Paris .. and I did .. and I found two wonderful new friends. Today I recognize them .. I recognize them because they deserve to be recognized .. I recognize them because in order for me to be like them, that mantel of possessiveness must be lifted from my life. Recognizing another is a great gift .. one that I intend to practice fervently on a daily basis .. join me, I think you will like it.
Kristin Espinasse began her blog in 1999 and she is my absolute heroine as applied to those words in todays title .. Talent, Patience, Persistence, Passion. While raising a family, renovating homes, living in a new country, and who knows what other possible life distractions may have been there, Kristin has steadfastly followed her passion for writing and has become one of my favorite contemporary writers on the planet. I won't talk about her blog because I don't really feel I would do it justice. I do invite you to click here and view what I have been possessively guarding for many years .. and when you get there, subscribe to her blog and enjoy many, many days of the joy she shares with her following of over 40,000 readers.
Now, Kristin and Jean-Marc have no idea I am posting this today. I took the photo of them at their previous home and invited Kristin to utilize it .. thankfully she hasn't done that, so I have the pleasure and honor! They are both lovely, and humble about their accomplishments .. so I do hope I'll be forgiven for this blatant photo release.
Thank You, Kristin, for demonstrating that our Muse can be found. Thank You, Kristin, for being a wonderful example of giving and sharing with your words .. baring yourself with no fear, for all to see. And Thank You, Kristin, for being an inspiration to me .. proving that Talent, Patience, Persistence, Passion are a reality when we dare to master our given gifts. I am freed by your excellent example of sharing.
Jean-Marc ... Thank You for being the rock and providing the loving and nurturing home where your family can continue to be enlightened and special. Famille Espinasse is a gift to all .....
So few of us truly live our passion. So many of us go through life on a false treadmill of "One of these days" and "I'll do it when I have the time" .. slowly letting life slip by without making the perceived sacrifices necessary to do what we love on a daily basis. We were each given gifts beyond imagination .. gifts we bury beneath the all too common misperception that "work" is not meant to be fun, or uplifting, or celebrated every moment of our lives. What a wonderful dictionary of life it will be when the word "work" is replaced by "creativity".
I often remark to others that I am deeply envious of Child Prodigies .. those who were born with a gift so deeply entrenched in their souls that they have complete and total focus .. nothing can dissuade them from the inner passion and drive to excel. They know ... their life is a fantastic mission to reach the full potential of an innate gift. These fortunate few were blessed, for whatever reason, to reach heights of the human capability. I believe they were gifted in order to provide an example to the rest of us .. an example that clearly shows the possibilities available if we will simply cast all the false trappings aside and give ourselves completely to what we know to be our unique and personal blessings.
Aside from those born with innate knowledge, there are those few who "find" their passion, recognize what they must do in order to realize their potential, and live a life filled with joy, gratification, and fulfillment. Many of us recognize these truths .. few are then willing to make the necessary adjustments and changes to bring the creative life to fruition. Those few are who the masses aspire to be .. reaching great heights of joy only available to enlightened persons and their creativity .. creativity which only blossoms after it is recognized then acted upon. My personal goal is to be one of them.
In my experience, and maybe only my own faulted experience, one of the stumbling blocks to reaching this goal of being creative and happy is the odd human trait of possessiveness. We humanoids seem to be very guarded about sharing the most treasured entities in our lives. The simple act of introducing a best friend to another, a favorite restaurant, music we feel is "ours", special experiences that for some odd reason we feel will be diminished of importance when told to others. And, having become aware of this disturbing trait in myself and others, I have simultaneously begun to notice an absence of that quirk in many of those I consider to be evolved into that rare strata of "living their passion on a daily basis". This post is to honor, thank, and recognize one such person and her extraordinary husband, Kristin and Jean-Marc Espinasse.
You all know I love France, and in loving France I spend many hours pouring over "things French" on the web. Some years ago I came across a wonderful website, titled French-Word-A-Day. To compact a very long story into a very short statement .. I've been a transfixed and loyal follower of Kristin's "work/passion" ever since. As I followed her blog, I soon became aware of her husband, Master Vintner Jean-Marc. If Kristin's writing had not been enough (and it was .. and it is), after tasting the wonderful wines Jean-Marc was producing in The Vaucluse I knew I had to go meet these extraordinary people on my next trip to Paris .. and I did .. and I found two wonderful new friends. Today I recognize them .. I recognize them because they deserve to be recognized .. I recognize them because in order for me to be like them, that mantel of possessiveness must be lifted from my life. Recognizing another is a great gift .. one that I intend to practice fervently on a daily basis .. join me, I think you will like it.
Kristin Espinasse began her blog in 1999 and she is my absolute heroine as applied to those words in todays title .. Talent, Patience, Persistence, Passion. While raising a family, renovating homes, living in a new country, and who knows what other possible life distractions may have been there, Kristin has steadfastly followed her passion for writing and has become one of my favorite contemporary writers on the planet. I won't talk about her blog because I don't really feel I would do it justice. I do invite you to click here and view what I have been possessively guarding for many years .. and when you get there, subscribe to her blog and enjoy many, many days of the joy she shares with her following of over 40,000 readers.
Now, Kristin and Jean-Marc have no idea I am posting this today. I took the photo of them at their previous home and invited Kristin to utilize it .. thankfully she hasn't done that, so I have the pleasure and honor! They are both lovely, and humble about their accomplishments .. so I do hope I'll be forgiven for this blatant photo release.
Thank You, Kristin, for demonstrating that our Muse can be found. Thank You, Kristin, for being a wonderful example of giving and sharing with your words .. baring yourself with no fear, for all to see. And Thank You, Kristin, for being an inspiration to me .. proving that Talent, Patience, Persistence, Passion are a reality when we dare to master our given gifts. I am freed by your excellent example of sharing.
Jean-Marc ... Thank You for being the rock and providing the loving and nurturing home where your family can continue to be enlightened and special. Famille Espinasse is a gift to all .....
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