Book 239 - A Year of Magical Learning

Reflection Title: We Build to Remember!

Book – The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton

Book Description:

The Achitecture of Happiness is a dazzling and generously illustrated journey through the philosophy and psychology of architecture and the indelible connection between our identities and our locations. One of the great but often unmentioned causes of both happiness and misery is the quality of our environment: the kinds of walls, chairs, buildings, and streets that surround us. And yet a concern for architecture is too often described as frivolous, even self-indulgent. Alain de Botton starts from the idea that where we are heavily influences who we can be, and argues that it is architecture's task to stand as an eloquent reminder of our full potential.

Reflection:

I’ve never consciously thought about how our values magically manifest themselves into our environments we live and work in until reading The Architecture of Happiness.

I’ve spent the better part of over 2 years figuring out how to manifest my values in as many activities as I can, but I have rarely given much thought to the environment I live and work in each day as to how that impacts the mission. However, while I may not have given it much conscious thought, I think I may have subconsciously manifested it all the same.

All around my house there are monuments and little areas I’ve carved out over the years specifically to remind myself of things that matter in my life. In our recent basement remodel we completed about a year ago, I made sure to build in a bunch of bookshelves and a workout area to make it easier for me to do my living for 2 activities in my own space each morning as an example.

However, nowhere in my home is my environment more unconsciously specifically designed to support my mission than my office.

As I look around the room as I type, it hits me like a ton of bricks how much work I’ve accidentally put into making this my safe space for living my mission.

Let's take a tour - First, I see all these pictures that I strategically bought about a year and a half again of nature shots to surround myself in balance (they include a sunrise on a mountain top, a sunset on a beach, the northern lights, and a river in a valley floor). I remember when I bought these, I did it with the idea in mind that I wanted to be reminded of the extremes of mountains and valleys. Mountains to me are places where you go to think by yourself, and valleys are where you get to work with the people. These weren’t purchased by accident clearly and I strategically placed them on opposite sides of the room to stare at each other and balance themselves out as we need both in our lives each day.

As I further continue the tour around my office, I see a collage of a bunch of pictures from Emilia. I look at these every day to remember what this is all about, why I’m up here typing, and why I must do what I’m doing for her and with her.

Next, I see a custom photo of a painting of our first book cover I Can’t Imagine. It is always at my back as I work and type, but it is always the last thing I see every time as I turn to go down the stairs to leave my office. This photo reminds me that it is my job to imagine my life with my daughter every day. It reminds me of what Emilia and I are able to accomplish when we are living our values each day. It makes me feel proud about how many people have told me how much it touched them to learn about Emilia’s life. It inspires me to work harder for her and continue this mission.

Next, I see a bookshelf filled with books…because duh…Year of Magical Learning Anyone???

Finally, I see a picture of a bunch of little lion cubs all lying together on a rock somewhere in the African Savannah. If you’ve read my first book, or just seen the cover of the book, you’ll know that Lions have a special place in my heart. I think to think of Lions as my spirit animal. I see myself as the father Lion of this family and my little children are tiny little Lion cubs that have been placed under my watch to help them grow and thrive. This particular photo of these 5 little lion cubs remind me of my future little Lions I hope to bring into this world beyond Emilia and Luca. They also sit directly across from my eldest Lioness’ photos in Emilia so their big sis can watch over them and make sure they are safe and protected.

I think I remember why I love my office after writing this refection this morning. I’ve been gone the past almost month from my house because our AC went out. Not shockingly, writing each day was not easy but I endured for my daughter. Since we returned a few days ago, writing has seemed effortless. I’m immersed in every word and feel so good after I get done each morning.

Without a doubt, my office environment helps me to live my mission because it was designed to immerse myself in helping me to remember what matters most to my life. Clearly it works and I’m so glad to be home.

Question: How does your environment help you to remember what matters most to you in this world?

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Links:

What is The Year of Magical Learning? - An Introduction

YOML Podcast Discussion - Coming Soon

YOML Bookstore - The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton