I think I was born a Parian in another life. I enjoy the simple pleasures and making my own experiences. I have always created my own destiny, I love how in Paris when you go out to eat you can spend time just sitting and enjoying the food and conversation without being rush to leave the restaurant. I love simple. Merci
Something that appeals to me, and has highlighted a couple of serious love affairs with French women, is they really know how to live by various things that appeal to the senses. It is a lifestyle of pleasure. Good food, of course, but also fashion, even in small details, the art on their walls, anything stylish, music, humor - - anything that excites and delights the senses is sought and savored. I am an American and not only appreciate good French food, but the way it is eaten in coordinated stages, accompanied by good conversation so the brain is engaged at the same time we work through a meal at our leisure magnifies the entire experience. Things are stylish, aesthetically pleasing, and sensible.
Et voilà - la joie de vivre ! I know that many of the elements you mention infuse other cultures (Italy! Spain!) but France is what I know best, and the French style of living is my own
@@amusingaida I have no direct experience of Italian and Spanish culture, but your word is good with me. In another of your videos, I remarked how I needed to change my attitude to understand I was visiting people in their home. This was a big lesson that changed my attitude and opened doors for me. My life became much better as I let myself learn - and not just in Paris, but visits of several weeks' duration in the Haute Garonne. I am still learning. The lifestyle of la joie de vivre enriched my life as well. This all began for me back in 1987, when I came to Paris for 10 weeks. I was a young man who was very cocky and all about my work building houses, working very long hours and partying hard on the weekends, sure, but during the week I had a focused mindset in which I was always in a rush, feeling very competitive. To stop and take plenty of time for a meal, or to walk the streets of Paris for hours and hours every day just looking at things, letting my senses be stimulated, and just drifting on the flow of things set me on a new course. I am a carpenter and an artist, so my eye is always catching details on how things are built or the aesthetic design in architecture and so much more. And I did walk. I walked from the Arc de Triomphe to the Bois de Vincennes and from Bastille to the Bois de Bologne. Aida, we should have more pleasures in life. Life is something we should enjoy, and when we get old and reminisce, we should have as few regrets as possible that there were pleasures we passed up. I like the way you live, because you have a wonderful chic style.
Hello from Wisconsin...and welcome back! Love that you have this joyous spirit of life...but you are in the city that shapes enjoyment. Here in the usa it has become difficult...all the fools are crawling out of the walls.. but...we grab those fun moments to sustain the joys of life..absolutely mandatory. Glad you will make more videos soon. They are always upbeat, tad off-beat sometimes and positively enjoyable. Au revoir
I really like your videos which go into the culture and psyche of the French. Other people do them but it is very superficial and tacky, you really have a way of getting to the core of it.
@@amusingaida I have watched many. Not all of us are able to live in Paris, but there is alot about the French lifestyle that we could apply to our own lives to live more richer lives. And I think you capture that. Hopefully will do more :)
Thank you for sharing this is beautiful. Self Maintenance to me is a daily thing nothing to do with outside, more about a feeling. The...body dies😒soul lives for eternity...... using the senses (smile laughter love ) ❤ 💕 ❤ ...wow , I get better in this life because I understand "doing your best is more then enough" ...PS your energy is delightful truthful and I love this!❤
Living in Belgium, close to the French border (I'm actually in France on a weekly basis), I can say that the people in the north of France have the joy of life as well. I met a few weeks ago an older woman, that left Paris 2 years ago because she couldn't afford it anymore on her pension. She said that she didn't like the north and that people were close minded. I really don't feel it to be honest. There are traditions, but they exist everywhere. And with that so many younger people do their best so I think it is a point of view and how do you live in your head more than anything. Flemish people (where I live- in the west, which is very different from other parts of Belgium)- have very few moments of joie de vivre. They stick to what they know and what is safe. Thank you for the video!
I'm sure you've seen the movie Bienvenue Chez les Ch'tis? It was so funny because that is the Parisian perception of the north of France. I don't know how the Flamands figure on the joie de vivre spectrum, but from the little I've seen of Flemish country it seems they live quite well!
@@amusingaida Yep! also Rien A Declarer which was funny as hell as well. It's not like the West Flemish don't enjoy life, it's just that they (I'm generalising of course) have a very narrow idea of what is the joy of life. Eating the same food over and over without trying new things, going to the same place on vacation for 30 years, and being overly cautious about choices whether big or small. I live her since 2007, the younger generation grasps the idea of Le Joie a lot better!
@@lirazdemasure936Maybe it's a difference between urban life vs peaceful nonurban life? I know a lot of my French friends outside Paris don't see the appeal of the city -- but I love the stumuli!
Ahhh, so great to see you back! I started watching your channel when I was planning my move from Canada to Paris, and now...here I am! Just yesterday I was thinking "where is Aida?" And even considered leaving a comment on another video to ask! :) Nice to see you back and I always enjoy your musing perspetives. It gives me insight and perspective on this culture shock that I live each day here in Paris. :)
Really interesting, I always struggle to explain French concepts in English (mostly because of my English level haha), thant you ! This mix is deeply appreciated
Conscious use of memory and imagination to do just one necessary action at a time enables state of Joie de vivre. Most people have impulsive thoughts and actions, thus unhappiness arises.
Salut Aida! Merci beaucoup pour cette vidéo. I got a lot of inspiration from it. Watching something like this helps me to immerse completely into the picture and live with the main character. Bonne journée !
Anastasia, thank you.... because that was exactly the aim of the video: I wanted you to be immersed in it get the feel it. So: success, right? And if there's a touch of empathy on top of that -- wow, even better.
Watched your OMG already skied down one third of my life winter video .. then this springs gem 💎 and its beautiful end. Will we see the 4 seasons by a music Aida ?
You study Performing Arts or not!!!... because your videos are soo artistic. I am an engineer in The Netherlands, I love arts, specially the music and films, my dream is being an actor or musician, do something in the arts. I love it... and also live in France
I wonder if there could be shades of difference between joie de vivre in France and the equivalent in Italy. I'd think that la bella figura is more representative in Italy and leans more heavily into a personal aesthetic....?
C'est une excellente définition de joie de vivre. Si c'était possible, je l'insérerais dans ma vidéo (en français) pour mieux capturer le sens du sujet. Merci !
Literally, yes... but do you think other languages should settle for the literal transposition of such terms as 'straw man' or 'paint the town red' or 'in a pickle'?
There is another kind of joy in life that goes beyond the senses and hedonistic pleasure. There is a joy of self denial and service, going beyond sensual to spiritual. We all know of obvious examples like the self denial of parents for their children, or children serving and caring for their parents when they become old and enfeebled. This time of yeear we celebrate the ultimate act of service represented by the life of Christ. This is a MUCH deeper joy thaen any materialistic pleasure. Surely this is real joi de vivre.
I think I was born a Parian in another life. I enjoy the simple pleasures and making my own experiences. I have always created my own destiny, I love how in Paris when you go out to eat you can spend time just sitting and enjoying the food and conversation without being rush to leave the restaurant. I love simple. Merci
Life is meant to be leisurely. Working is simply a necessity to make that happen.
Simply and eloquently explained. I have realized over recent years that I value living in the moment and looking for the beauty in things around me.
That is one of the hardest things: to just live in the moment.
Something that appeals to me, and has highlighted a couple of serious love affairs with French women, is they really know how to live by various things that appeal to the senses. It is a lifestyle of pleasure.
Good food, of course, but also fashion, even in small details, the art on their walls, anything stylish, music, humor - - anything that excites and delights the senses is sought and savored.
I am an American and not only appreciate good French food, but the way it is eaten in coordinated stages, accompanied by good conversation so the brain is engaged at the same time we work through a meal at our leisure magnifies the entire experience.
Things are stylish, aesthetically pleasing, and sensible.
Et voilà - la joie de vivre ! I know that many of the elements you mention infuse other cultures (Italy! Spain!) but France is what I know best, and the French style of living is my own
@@amusingaida I have no direct experience of Italian and Spanish culture, but your word is good with me.
In another of your videos, I remarked how I needed to change my attitude to understand I was visiting people in their home. This was a big lesson that changed my attitude and opened doors for me.
My life became much better as I let myself learn - and not just in Paris, but visits of several weeks' duration in the Haute Garonne.
I am still learning.
The lifestyle of la joie de vivre enriched my life as well.
This all began for me back in 1987, when I came to Paris for 10 weeks.
I was a young man who was very cocky and all about my work building houses, working very long hours and partying hard on the weekends, sure, but during the week I had a focused mindset in which I was always in a rush, feeling very competitive.
To stop and take plenty of time for a meal, or to walk the streets of Paris for hours and hours every day just looking at things, letting my senses be stimulated, and just drifting on the flow of things set me on a new course.
I am a carpenter and an artist, so my eye is always catching details on how things are built or the aesthetic design in architecture and so much more.
And I did walk.
I walked from the Arc de Triomphe to the Bois de Vincennes and from Bastille to the Bois de Bologne.
Aida, we should have more pleasures in life.
Life is something we should enjoy, and when we get old and reminisce, we should have as few regrets as possible that there were pleasures we passed up.
I like the way you live, because you have a wonderful chic style.
Paris culture is full of joy and fun everywhere:)❤❤
J’adore votre videos! I enjoy the topics you touch upon, bringing me Paris back! You have no idea how much it means to me! Merci beaucoup!
Thanks -- those are very encouraging words. Right now though Paris is FREEZING!
Beautiful inside and out. A wonderful philosophy on life. Here’s to many happy days. Cheers. 😁
Thank you kindly
Hello from Wisconsin...and welcome back! Love that you have this joyous spirit of life...but you are in the city that shapes enjoyment. Here in the usa it has become difficult...all the fools are crawling out of the walls.. but...we grab those fun moments to sustain the joys of life..absolutely mandatory. Glad you will make more videos soon. They are always upbeat, tad off-beat sometimes and positively enjoyable. Au revoir
France may be conducive to it, but I think you can create a joie de vivre bubble for you anywhere. Happy you enjoyed my latest!
I really like your videos which go into the culture and psyche of the French. Other people do them but it is very superficial and tacky, you really have a way of getting to the core of it.
That is high praise indeed. Thank you, it sounds like you've watched quite a few videos on RUclips. I hope my modest efforts stand up!
@@amusingaida I have watched many. Not all of us are able to live in Paris, but there is alot about the French lifestyle that we could apply to our own lives to live more richer lives. And I think you capture that. Hopefully will do more :)
@@Steve-xl1enagree with that (on both counts)
Thank you for sharing this is beautiful. Self Maintenance to me is a daily thing nothing to do with outside, more about a feeling. The...body dies😒soul lives for eternity...... using the senses (smile laughter love ) ❤ 💕 ❤ ...wow , I get better in this life because I understand "doing your best is more then enough" ...PS your energy is delightful truthful and I love this!❤
Thanks for such a bright and honest reply, that really makes me happy
Living in Belgium, close to the French border (I'm actually in France on a weekly basis), I can say that the people in the north of France have the joy of life as well. I met a few weeks ago an older woman, that left Paris 2 years ago because she couldn't afford it anymore on her pension. She said that she didn't like the north and that people were close minded. I really don't feel it to be honest. There are traditions, but they exist everywhere. And with that so many younger people do their best so I think it is a point of view and how do you live in your head more than anything.
Flemish people (where I live- in the west, which is very different from other parts of Belgium)- have very few moments of joie de vivre. They stick to what they know and what is safe. Thank you for the video!
I'm sure you've seen the movie Bienvenue Chez les Ch'tis? It was so funny because that is the Parisian perception of the north of France. I don't know how the Flamands figure on the joie de vivre spectrum, but from the little I've seen of Flemish country it seems they live quite well!
@@amusingaida Yep! also Rien A Declarer which was funny as hell as well. It's not like the West Flemish don't enjoy life, it's just that they (I'm generalising of course) have a very narrow idea of what is the joy of life. Eating the same food over and over without trying new things, going to the same place on vacation for 30 years, and being overly cautious about choices whether big or small. I live her since 2007, the younger generation grasps the idea of Le Joie a lot better!
@@lirazdemasure936Maybe it's a difference between urban life vs peaceful nonurban life? I know a lot of my French friends outside Paris don't see the appeal of the city -- but I love the stumuli!
Yes !!! good food and wine!!! and musicccc!!!
Ahhh, so great to see you back! I started watching your channel when I was planning my move from Canada to Paris, and now...here I am! Just yesterday I was thinking "where is Aida?" And even considered leaving a comment on another video to ask! :) Nice to see you back and I always enjoy your musing perspetives. It gives me insight and perspective on this culture shock that I live each day here in Paris. :)
You moved at the right time - the Jeux olympiques will drive the property market for a bit
Merci, Aida. Merci.
Really interesting, I always struggle to explain French concepts in English (mostly because of my English level haha), thant you ! This mix is deeply appreciated
Happy to help!
Conscious use of memory and imagination to do just one necessary action at a time enables state of Joie de vivre. Most people have impulsive thoughts and actions, thus unhappiness arises.
I like that thesis: of memory and imagination. Thank you!
Vous êtes pleine de joie de vivre ❤!
Salut Aida!
Merci beaucoup pour cette vidéo.
I got a lot of inspiration from it.
Watching something like this helps me to immerse completely into the picture and live with the main character.
Bonne journée !
Anastasia, thank you.... because that was exactly the aim of the video: I wanted you to be immersed in it get the feel it. So: success, right? And if there's a touch of empathy on top of that -- wow, even better.
@@amusingaida absolument !!
Watched your OMG already skied down one third of my life winter video .. then this springs gem 💎 and its beautiful end. Will we see the 4 seasons by a music Aida ?
Maybe, maybe... 4 seasons on this channel....
So good.
Thanks
You study Performing Arts or not!!!... because your videos are soo artistic. I am an engineer in The Netherlands, I love arts, specially the music and films, my dream is being an actor or musician, do something in the arts. I love it... and also live in France
You guessed it.... yes I do study performing arts: acting. This RUclips channel though is my first foray into video.
You are a great actress, you will be in the top
I hope so! Thanks!
Nice reflections. ❤❤
Why thank you!❤
"La joie de vivre" is a concept common to all southern European countries that reaches hedonistic and aesthetic perfection in Italy, in my opinion.
I wonder if there could be shades of difference between joie de vivre in France and the equivalent in Italy. I'd think that la bella figura is more representative in Italy and leans more heavily into a personal aesthetic....?
Joie de vivre : laisser l'immanent prendre le pas sur le transcendant. Des instants rares et souvent brefs, il faut avoir la volonté de les saisir.
C'est une excellente définition de joie de vivre. Si c'était possible, je l'insérerais dans ma vidéo (en français) pour mieux capturer le sens du sujet. Merci !
I know very little French, but it is kind of obvious that means joy of life.
Literally, yes... but do you think other languages should settle for the literal transposition of such terms as 'straw man' or 'paint the town red' or 'in a pickle'?
@@amusingaida I can infer what that expression means, but of course you are correct. 😍
I think Mademoiselle Poulain and Monsieur Jeunet captured 'La joie de vivre' perfectly. Nice work 😉
Well thank you. Most gratifying to have an appreciative audience, and one who is perhaps more fan of Amélie rather than Emily....
@@amusingaida Mais bien sûr, la vision de la vie d'Amélie est belle et attachante. Nos cousins de l'autre côté de l'étang ont une tout autre vue.
Hey Aida,
Merry Christmas
J'adore votre videos - reviens tu - nous manques!
Merci ! Et, enfin, il y a une vidéo (d'un échec) que je viens de publier !
You forgot the "patisseries" ! 😋😁
I never forget them! (Just living in Paris, though, sometimes we take things like pâtisseries for granted, I'm sorry to say)
There is another kind of joy in life that goes beyond the senses and hedonistic pleasure. There is a joy of self denial and service, going beyond sensual to spiritual. We all know of obvious examples like the self denial of parents for their children, or children serving and caring for their parents when they become old and enfeebled.
This time of yeear we celebrate the ultimate act of service represented by the life of Christ. This is a MUCH deeper joy thaen any materialistic pleasure. Surely this is real joi de vivre.
🫶🏻🦋🩵