Second Best
I always tell people I collect the second best things.
To me, the best things in life are free. A free moments I vividly remember:
We were in someone’s hometown villa in the middle of Portugal. It was summer. The sun was slowly setting as the sky turned into soft hues of orange and yellow. Someone was playing the guitar. A few people were singing. Some were chatting and laughter was all around. We were simply just being. I took a mental snapshot in my mind.
I was in Rome for the second time. This time, I was alone. It was yet another summer. It was a gruelling journey. I walked to the bridge where I could see the Roman Forum and stood there. It’s not my first time seeing the Roman Forum in person but to see it again, to immerse in her beauty, to hear her stories of the millenniums, to simply be so lucky to bless my eyes with her again, I cried a little. It was and still is my favourite place in Rome.
It was afternoon in USA in mid autumn and my friend said she’s going to take me around the neighbourhood. We got a little apple pie and went down the river stream in the woods. We sat down, listened to the water rushing, all wrapped up in our little boots and coats. Sat by the stream and ate our apple pie. It was lovely.
In Giverny one summer, we were doing a road trip and camping as we travelled. Monet’s garden was too full so we checked out the neighbourhood instead. I saw a piece of impressionist art and was entranced by it. Like a witch casted a spell. You know art is suppose to make you feel? I felt this sense of calm and belonging. It was beautiful.
There are countless hiking trips in Hong Kong, where I was simply in love with life. As you reach the peak, you look over the edge and see the dense little tall buildings and imagine the lives of people below. It’s akin to sitting by Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris and watching the world in existence. It’s lovely.
These are all free. All beautiful. They are the best things. I collect them.
Yet the second best
Oh boy, that is a another world. The second best is so expensive. The first best, I think, requires one’s own effort and intention. Whereas the second best is to purchase a material good that gives you that feeling. Example of second best because they are also beautiful and I, too, collect them:
Hand crafted, double glazed, 3-piece fine porcelain cup made using 100 labour hours.
1.23ct pear shape fancy vivid blue diamond that sparkles like nobody’s business.
60s double glazed hand crafted bone china embossed ermine Wedgwood dining set with silver trim.
Perhaps I can explain first best as experiences and second best as material things, now that I’m writing these out.
I see second best as pieces of items I own that help me elevate my daily life. I live my daily life like it’s the best day every day. I don’t wait for special event to use my china. I don’t wait for a birthday to use my bags. I don’t wait for a festival to wear my jewellery. I use them every day. Even if I’m doing an errand, you best bet I will be wearing my jewellery and perfume to go to the post office.
Leveraging my second best to create first best experiences (which are free) is what I do now. I live life in an elevated artistic way. Most days, I feel like my life is straight out of a french film.
I start my day when the sun rises. Then I have great tea (pu’er is my favourite) in my beautiful teawares and bouquets of fresh flowers around the house. It’s coming a ritual to take time in my morning and just be present with my tea and teaware. Then I begin my work, calls and tasks. When I dine, I use my vintage bone china or hand painted fine porcelain pieces with my silverware. I’d take my bicycle out to do my sports. In the evening, I’d paint (have yet to do this now that I’m back and not travelling) or learn something new on the internet. I’d read during the day too and before sleeping.
Life is as simple and elevated as we want it to be. And this is how I choose to live my life. I’m re-arranging my home yet again, to create a reading lounge corner. I’m excited for this. I think I’d like to add either an entry way table on the side below my framed scarf, or perhaps add a table / chair to drink tea and paint.
Life is as good as you want it to be. It might also help that I am primarily consuming long-form content and a very offline individual. Not comparing, not mindlessly scrolling. Simply being.
Love,
L