“A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
We are elegant when we are:
Dignified in our behavior.
Succinct in our communication.
Fair in our description of others.
Simple in our problem solving.
Graceful in our acceptance of others.
Gentle.
Creative in our approach or perspective.
Introspective before we react.
Collaborative versus competitive.
Honest about our mistakes.
Humble.
Unadorned.
A good friend.
*********
Elegance is a seduction. It is a grace of style. Of being in a way that attracts rather then repels.
What would you add to this list?
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Coiffed with short hair.
Listening.
Non-judgmental.
Accept others where they are.
On time.
Respectful.
These are great Richard! Maybe I should explain that ‘coiffed with short hair’ is an inside joke! I’m still not sure you should cut off all your hair. lol! Although… there may be a certain elegance to it.
Listening is such an art form – and beautiful in practice. And I simply love your idea of accepting others WHERE they are. Very nice additions to this list! Thank you.
~Theresa
How poetic! this was so smooth and simple.
I have nothing to add….and you know me!
Sheila Atwood recently posted..2 Web Tools You Will Fall For- Hook Line and Sinker
Hi Sheila! I hadn’t considered that this list might be poetic. And I thank you for saying so.
~Theresa
Graceful
Eloquent
Refined
Tasteful
Melanie Kissell @SoloMompreneur recently posted..“F” is for Friday and Fun and Four-legged Furry Friends
Hi Melanie – As I wrote this post, I looked up the word eloquent. It’s a beautiful word. One of the definitions I love is ‘Vividly or movingly expressive’. I have to say I am thrilled with the responses, words and ideas this post has inspired.
Thank you so much for adding to it. The simplicity of your comment embodies elegance.
~Theresa
“The simplicity of your comment embodies elegance.”
For once, Theresa, I resisted my usual temptation to write a lengthy or detailed comment. Wanted it to be ‘simply’ elegant.
Your post is meaningful and majestic!
Melanie Kissell @SoloMompreneur recently posted..“F” is for Friday and Fun and Four-legged Furry Friends
I love that quote: Less really IS more!
And I love your list Theresa.
The only other words that come to mind are: Gracious and Kind.
Lovely, lovely post ~ thank you
Heather x
Heather Bestel recently posted..WAHM Tips- Excuse me- I’m trying to work!
Welcome Heather! I love the quote too! And the very words that popped into my head were ‘less is more’. What a fine idea to live by. The very definition of elegance.
I so appreciate your comment and I’m delighted to meet you. I will most definitely hop over to your blog Mum’s Got a Business. What a great name!
~Theresa
Heather! So thrilled you’re here.
You’re going to totally embrace joining in the conversations with Theresa’s community. This is one of my can’t-be-missed stops on my blog route.
I’m going to quote you because I know Theresa is going to love this word …
Wishing you a “fabbytastic” day!
Melanie Kissell @SoloMompreneur recently posted..“F” is for Friday and Fun and Four-legged Furry Friends
So glad to be here Melanie
I’ve bookmarked this blog already
“Fabbytastic” isn’t very elegant – but it’s cheeky and fun and makes me feel WooHoo!!
Hugs
Heather x
Heather Bestel recently posted..WAHM Tips- Excuse me- I’m trying to work!
Heather, I’ll take “cheeky and fun” any day of the week!
Melanie Kissell @SoloMompreneur recently posted..“F” is for Friday and Fun and Four-legged Furry Friends
“Fabbytastic” !!? Oh Melanie — what can I say? This word is priceless. Just like you!
Heather – I am delighted to meet you. This little conversation has made my day. How can I read cheeky without grinning from ear to ear?
Effective
Natural
Focused
Honest
My 4 cents
Cheers,
Ruben
Ruben Berenguel @mostlymaths.net recently posted..Doing Really Nothing
Hi Ruben! Welcome! Some wonderful additions… from a man with a love of languages.
And worth more than 4 cents IMHO.
‘Natural’ has got to be my favorite. Wow. What prompted you to include this? It’s perfect!
~Theresa
I think it is the most important part of being elegant. It has something to do with flowing, being in the moment and a certain “savoir faire”, like French people say. Truly elegant people always carry themselves like no-one is watching and no-one gives a damn, not even them.
Indeed, I love languages, although I’m a bit late on my language commitments… I won’t make it for the end of April (Irish). I’ll have to work harder!
Cheers,
Ruben
Ruben Berenguel @mostlymaths.net recently posted..Learn to Remember Everything- The Memory Palace Technique
This is a wonderful description Ruben! I completely agree.
When someone is truly ‘being in the moment’ they are not projecting anything. No regrets. No anticipation or fear of what the future holds. It’s simply an ability to experience the now. For what it is. It’s a place where we can embrace who we truly are. And we are all elegant in this place.
As to languages…well I am simply impressed. Late or not.
Gracious to compliments.
Supportive.
Beautiful list, Theresa. And I know you embody all of those!
Deb Augur recently posted..Entrepreneurs- How many hats do you wear
Thank you Deb. Allow me to graciously accept your compliment!
What a beautiful idea to include in this list of elegance. Gracious to compliments. So simple… and yet so very difficult to remember and practice. This will help me remember to simply be gracious when someone is kind enough to pay a compliment.
Elegant indeed!
~Theresa
What an elegant list! And poetic, as Sheila mentioned.
beautiful on the inside
the golden rule
I liked what Ruben said too, “Truly elegant people always carry themselves like no-one is watching and no-one gives a damn, not even them.”
Thanks for making me pause and think, Theresa. I feel more poised already. In fact… I’m sitting up straighter and typing this in a verrry elegant way.
Peggy
Peggy Baron recently posted..My Mentor is Better Than Your Mentor
Hi Peggy!
Oh I just had to laugh out loud at your description of yourself sitting verrrry elegantly in your chair. Thank you for that! What a fantastic image!
Yes… the golden rule. Treating other people with consideration. As you would like to be treated. This says so much.
And I adore ‘beautiful on the inside’ Peggy. That is the epitome of elegance. Thank you.
~Theresa
Oh, good grief! I am so removed from elegance that words cannot convey my lack of. <–AWKward!
Clean. Like fresh linens. Clean, like Paul's grandfather in A Hard Day’s Night.
He’s very clean.
Paula Lee Bright recently posted..Goodbye- Unions Hello Plutocracy- Government by the Wealthy
Oh, Paula! I have a hard time buying this image of you. I’ll bet you are elegance itself in how you teach.
I confess I had to google Paul’s grandfather in A Hard Day’s Night. Wikipedia did not describe him as exactly ‘clean’. More like a trouble causing instigator. Want to explain???
Love, love, love clean linens!