Back in the mid-1980’s, a television program called Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous propelled its way to the top of the syndication ratings. The show was hosted by British entertainment journalist Robin Leach and showcased a world most of us could only dream about, a world, in Leach’s own words, of “champagne wishes and caviar dreams.”
Viewers were vicariously whisked away to exotic locations and then treated to tours of millionaire’s mansions or extravagant yachts, lavish entertainment plus an epicurean’s delight of sumptuous food and drink. In other words, the good life. The French have a term for people with an appreciation of the good life. Such a person is known as a bon vivant.
So Bon Vivant is the title of this column and that’s what it’s all about: appreciating the good life. But just to be clear, unlike Robin Leach’s fantastical forays into practically unattainable wealth and opulence, the good life has nothing to do with hefty price tags or lofty tax brackets.
To me, the good life means savoring the experiences that bring us the most pleasure. Those things we plan and anticipate. The moments that create memories we cherish. Life-changing sights, smells, sounds, tastes, events and emotions we cling to because they release that little rush of dopamine inside our brain and leave us wanting more.
And the good life is different for everybody. Some of my closest friends say waking before sunrise, trekking miles through the woods to climb a tree, and strapping themselves into a deer stand on a cold fall morning is the good life, even if they don’t bag a big buck. My spouse has an affinity for large crowds. Spending New Year’s Eve in Times Square is her idea of the good life. Those things aren’t my cup of tea, but to each their own.
So, you may ask, just what does the good life really look like to me?
Walking past a barbecue restaurant and feeling your mouth start to water when you catch a whiff of the wood-smoked meat aroma billowing out of the smoker.
That’s the good life.
Sitting in a theatre and hearing the buzz of the audience fade to silence as the house lights dim just before the curtain goes up.
That’s the good life.
Traveling to an Alaskan wilderness frontier that stretches as far as the eye can see, so far it’s very likely that much of the land has never been touched by any human being.
That’s the good life.
Sinking your teeth into the last perfect bite of the the most delicious meal. Wishing you could hold it there and let the flavor linger forever. Knowing you may never have the same exact culinary treat again.
That’s the good life.
Watching parents’ faces glow as their children take to the field, court, or stage. Understanding the time, effort, and support they invested in those young lives. Feeling an almost imperceivable swelling of pride in their chests as they seem to be saying, “Hey, that’s my kid!”
That’s the good life.
Gathering with friends around a fire pit on a cool, crisp autumn evening to do nothing but share stories, laugh together, and watch ghostly figures dance in the flames. Having all this complemented with the perfectly toasted marshmallow to make the perfectly constructed s’more.
That’s the good life.
Closing the last page of a book or walking out of a movie so artfully crafted and expertly executed it actually changes the way you embrace the world around you — so meaningful you just can’t wait to share the experience with everyone you encounter.
That’s the good life.
Finding a quiet corner table in the back of your favorite watering hole. Sipping on a cocktail and immersing yourself in the ethereal sounds of your favorite vocalist. Getting lost in the lyrics all while soaking up the soft, soulful strum of an acoustic guitar.
That’s the good life.
Hearing the soft sound of a cork as it’s released from a bottle of wine. Seeing the glorious, deep color of that liquid as it cascades into the glass. Being able to taste those rich flavors before they even hit your tongue simply by bringing the glass to your nose and inhaling the subtle bouquet.
Now, that’s the good life.
Those are some of the topics we’ll explore in this Bon Vivant column. Places to go and things to see. Food to eat and recipes to cook. Tickets to buy and shows to watch. Books to read and bottles to open. All of those sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and scenes to help us get through every day with a smile on our face. All of those priceless experiences which truly make every one of us a real bon vivant.
