Category: inspiration

hope, inspiration, Positive Thinking

Two Most important French words of the Year from the Champs Elysées

In this reflective piece, Kristi Espinasse shares wishes for the New Year, emphasizing the importance of love (amour) and peace (paix) as conveyed by the Parisian crowd during celebrations. The author considers personal growth, seeking meaningful words for 2023, including “patience” and “gratitude,” while expressing a desire to move away from negativity. Through scripture, she highlights love as a powerful force that promotes forgiveness and connection. The piece ends with a heartful encouragement to forgive oneself and others, focusing on love as the guiding principle for the year ahead, encapsulating the spirit of hope and resilience. Continue reading Two Most important French words of the Year from the Champs Elysées

Kristin Espinasse31 Comments
Bilingual Story, Encouragement, hope, inspiration

Rien qu’aujourd’hui (Only for Today): A “How To” for difficult times

During 10 challenging years at two vineyards (before moving to this peaceful, postage-stamp garden where our wine memoir is underway), I kept a copy of today's mind-centering thoughts in my purse. In uncertain times, such words may be helpful to you, to your family, or to your friends.ONLY FOR TODAY…RIEN QU'AUJOURD'HUIOnly for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to … Continue reading Rien qu’aujourd’hui (Only for Today): A “How To” for difficult times

Kristin Espinasse41 Comments
Encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jackie

Desiderata Poem in French and English: Lifechanging Words

Our 16-year-old set out, yesterday, on a 24-hr voyage. Alone, she flew from Nice to London, then London to Dallas, and on to Denver. Unsure of what to say to my daughter before she left, I slipped the following poem into her travel bag. Photo taken at the Vieux Port in Marseilles, on break from her internship at a couturier's.   "D E S I D … Continue reading Desiderata Poem in French and English: Lifechanging Words

Kristin Espinasse130 Comments
inspiration

Blog hiatus + special story… and see you in December

An artist's residence in the seaside town of Bandol. Un mois sabbatique. Some talk of a sabbatical year, but one month may just be enough to recharge these batteries after 11 years of online journaling. In November, I'll follow a gentle rule: no emails, no blogging. Thanks for helping me stick to it…. If you have sent me a note in 2011 or 2012 and … Continue reading Blog hiatus + special story… and see you in December

Kristin Espinasse142 Comments
inspiration, Jackie

c’est déjà pas mal

"A path of one's own." Our daughter Jackie in 2005, in Queyras. Keep marching toward your dream, My Girl, and don't forget to enjoy the sights along the way! More about our recent pep talk in today's story column. Forward it to a struggling student. (Note: the sign reads "block party".) A few seats are still available at the Washington DC wine dinner with Jean-Marc … Continue reading c’est déjà pas mal

Kristin Espinasse66 Comments
inspiration, Smokey, Vlogging

Need encouragement? How to say “If at first you don’t succeed try try again”

Thank you for your encouraging feedback on the recent video I made with Smokey. But after trying and failing to make a follow up recording, I'm wondering if I should just stick to photography (today's pic taken on our Rhone river cruise) instead! In times like these, I find the following saying to be particularly reassuring:  dix fois sur le métier, remettre son ouvrage!    … Continue reading Need encouragement? How to say “If at first you don’t succeed try try again”

Kristin Espinasse41 Comments
inspiration, Jules, Writing

muse

Who (or what) is your muse? For me it can be a scene, like this one… and suddenly inspiration comes! Photo taken in Les Arcs-sur-Argens, where we lived from 1999-2007.  I tried to find a French synonym for une muse, but I landed on a French definition instead. Here it is, along with the day's story, written two summers ago: une muse (myooz)     : une … Continue reading muse

Kristin Espinasse49 Comments
inspiration, Readers

avant-coureur

Puzzled at which photo to put up today… I found this forerunner in Ramatuelle. Picture taken  last spring. avant-coureur (ah vahn koor ur) adjective     : forerunner synonyme: précurseur (noun) A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse Next month this word journal will set out for—and near—its very dear ninth year! How to sum up one's thoughts about that? With the help of … Continue reading avant-coureur

60 Comments
inspiration, Savoir Vivre

entretenir de grands espoirs

Are you seeing the broken glass… or the pretty watermelon building in the back? Do you practice positive or stinking thinking?            France and Monaco Rentals. Exclusive Vacation Rental Properties throughout France.    entretenir de grands espoirs     : to have high hopes Audio File: listen to my son, Max, pronounce today's expression and these words:Download MP3 or Wav file  J'entretiens de grands espoirs! I have high hopes!   A Day in a … Continue reading entretenir de grands espoirs

44 Comments
Dirt Divas, garden, gardening, inspiration, Savoir Vivre

aviver

It's Vagabonde Vendredi – time to stray from our comfortable way. I have been saving this favorite flower from my garden for you. Enjoy! THE GIFT OF GAUL  Click here to sign up a friend or family member to French Word-A-Day. It's free & inspiring.  aviver (ah-vee-vay) verb       : to stir up French verb conjugation: j'avive, tu avives, il avive, nous avivons, vous avivez, ils avivent past participle: avivé Audio File & Example sentence: … Continue reading aviver

34 Comments