Years ago I was perusing Pinterest when I came across the word quaintrelle, along with its definition. I had never heard or seen this word before, so as I read the definition I took pause and read it again, and again, and again. The word resonated so strongly I found myself simply captivated by it.
Quaintrelle — (n.) a woman who emphasizes a life of passion, expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm, and a cultivation of life’s pleasures.
Let’s break apart the definition, a woman who emphasizes a life of passion — what is a life of passion? Defining passion wasn’t quite as straightforward as I thought it would be. So I decided to use only one part of the five various definitions available — (a.) ardent affection, (b.) a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, (c.) object or concept, and (d.) an object of desire or deep interest.
I like to interpret that ‘a life of passion’ is a life filled with passion and purpose. I believe purpose is the internal calling on one’s life. What exactly that “purpose” is for me, is still being fleshed out and clarified. Until then, I feel as though my passions are fueled by my purpose.
Personal style — it’s in the phrase, personal style, and it is personal for each of us. I know it is for me at least. I love beauty, beautiful clothes, home decor, art, music, and every other facet one can claim as having style or being stylish. My style is definitely a reflection of my life — my past, my, likes, my studies, my interests, and even my future self — the woman I want to be. The best part, I love how this allows for authenticity for each of us.
Charm — the definition of charm is the power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration. The power or quality of giving delight — but I’d also like to make it about allowing delight. I believe charm is two-fold – being & allowing. More importantly I believe we are all responsible for the energy we put out into the world. I want the energy I put out there to be delightful and admirable.
A cultivation of life’s pleasures — to prepare and acquire the happy enjoyments of life. Pleasures are most definitely personal, they are preferences that we have acquired, cultivated, and adopted over time. One thing I know is that pleasure are purely subjective. Now, happiness is a different topic all together. One of my friends, & life coach/ mentor, Brooke has a theory about a happy life. That theory is that life is 50/50. Half of life is happy and wonderful & the other half is rotten & utter crap. I happen to agree with her theory.
In the 48 years I have practiced being human, I can vouch that the “fifty percent bad” range varies from horrific shit that no one should have to experience, to the simplest of unsettled feelings, (you know – all that self induced negativity we seem to welcome). Nevertheless it is a drastic range between the two, but they all fall within that negative energy scale.
But I believe life is about contrast, light and shade, positive and negative — life is what it is. It is in accepting the 50/50 theory that allows me freedom from trying, and ultimately failing, to change the past. It also provides me an opportunity to practice putting labels of good & bad to rest.
I find that the silver lining within that negative half is a lot of growth, and a lot of lessons learned. Fascinating enough, getting through all that crap makes the better half of life taste that much sweeter. I am only the woman I am today because of the life I have experienced — and I honestly wouldn’t want to be anyone else.
When we accept our unique calling and share our authentic selves with the world, we show up in ways that alter not just our lives, but the lives around us. This new journey I just embarked on is going to require me to show up in ways like I never have before – this is going to be a very interesting ride!
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