Monday, September 22, 2008

Day 36. Ambiance



I didn't always recognize that the ambiance -- or atmosphere -- of a certain place or experience plays a key role in how well I enjoy it. If it evokes the sense of beauty, festivity, adventure, creativity, coziness, or camaraderie, I feel my emotional and energy levels rising. If it's dismal, dingy, and dreary, I can feel my energy and interest draining away. I can get the same emotional triggers from reading a book or watching a movie.

Perhaps that's why, when I woke this morning to find it rainy and overcast, I got the urge to watch the wonderful Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks 1998 movie You've Got Mail. Especially that scene where Meg's character, Kathleen, is decorating her bookshop with lights and seasonal decorations. It's autumn, and you can feel the contrast of the blustery weather on the outside with the warm cozy ambiance inside. The scene draws you to come in out of the elements.

I've also come to recognize another interesting aspect -- ambiance is also a frame of mind and I have the ability to create my own ambiance if I need to. One way I do that is by envisioning in my mind's eye what I want. For years I called it 'getting into my pretty world'. From that frame of reference, it has coloured how I feel and how I see what's around me.

For instance, having coffee in a paper cup, sitting on a hard plastic seat in the local mall does not evoke the same ambiance as when I go to a cozy cafe, where people, relaxing in big slouchy chairs, are enjoying their conversations as they drinking lattes from nicely-shaped mugs. But even on those occasions, when I find myself in a less amiable setting, I can still choose to create an ambiance through my imagination that's fun and a little adventurous.

For many people, rainy, blustery days evoke the emotional 'blahs'. For me? I choose to find the 'romance' in the day. I think of misty days in England and lots of green grass. I think of lamps that cast golden glows in gloomy corners. I think of freshly baked cinnamon buns and homemade soup simmering on the back burner.

And, I think of movies like You've Got Mail! Somehow its ambiance reaches past the TV screen and permeates my own environment. A warm contentment washes over me. Maybe that seems strange, but different things stir the imagination for each of us. I wonder what stirs you and creates an ambiance that makes you say, "Ah, this is the life."

Cozily yours,
Brenda
xox


PS. Here's an interesting article I just found on-line.




4 comments:

  1. Hi there! We have a lot in common. I am doing my autumn cleaning now also. I love to deep clean in autumn so I'll be ready for the holidays.

    I also love rainy days and drinking coffee in coffee shops and the contrast of cool, blustery autumn with the inviting warmth of my house.
    Actually autumn is my favorite time of the year. This week I'm putting out my scarecrows and buying lots of mums and pumpkins.

    And after reading your post, the next time it rains, I'm going to watch You've Got Mail:)

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  2. Hi Luv2tch,

    This blogging business is so much fun... it's wonderful how you get to 'meet' kindred spirits from many wonderful places just because we blog about the things we enjoy and have a passion for.

    Thanks for sharing your love of this time of year.... I feel connected somehow!

    Brenda

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  3. Oh yes this blogging business is
    a wonderful way to use the conmputer, even if you are all alone you can connect with others
    any time of the day or night. Its especially great when you have a special blogger like Brenda to inspire you to greater heights. Especially loved the
    evening prayer and wow all of Elvis gospel songs. I never had any of his music when he was popular I wasn't into that at all.
    the one I remember was Blue Swede
    Shoes, it was all the rage when I met my husband woo that was 51 years ago. thanks Brenda I can go back in time and listen to all the songs he sang that I missed.
    Rosalie

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  4. Hey Rosalie,

    You are my sunshine! I found it interesting that the evening prayer was so closely connected on YouTube to Elvis's songs. Hope you enjoyed your visit and listening to those old songs. Blogging's great, so is YouTube!

    Thanks for writing!
    Brenda

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To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo