The quote “We strive for beauty and balance, the sensual over the sentimental” emphasizes a desire to seek out aesthetic experiences and harmony in life while prioritizing sensory engagement over emotional nostalgia.
**Explanation:**
1. **Beauty and Balance:** The first part of the quote highlights an aspiration towards appreciating beauty—whether in art, nature, relationships, or experiences—and achieving balance in how we live our lives. This can mean finding equilibrium between work and leisure, reason and emotion, or chaos and order.
2. **Sensual Over Sentimental:** The latter part contrasts the ‘sensual’ with the ‘sentimental.’ Sensual refers to experiences that engage our senses—what we see, hear, touch, taste, and smell—often leading to immediate pleasure or joy. In contrast, sentimental relates to feelings evoked by memories or emotions tied to past experiences; these can often be more nostalgic than transformative.
By striving for sensuality over sentimentality, one focuses on current sensations rather than getting lost in wistful reminiscence about what once was.
**Application Today:**
In today’s fast-paced world filled with digital distractions (social media engagements often revolve around nostalgia), this concept encourages us to be present. Here are some practical applications:
– **Mindfulness:** We can practice mindfulness by engaging fully with our surroundings—the taste of food during meals without distractions from screens; enjoying nature while walking instead of reminiscing about past hikes.
– **Artistic Pursuits:** Whether through cooking a meal that delights the senses or creating art that reflects beauty without relying on personal history as its foundation—we harness creativity as a means of experiencing life fully.
– **Relationships:** In personal development contexts such as relationships and friendships—which can sometimes become overly nostalgic—it’s beneficial to focus on creating new shared memories based on present interactions rather than dwelling solely on past moments together.
In essence, embracing this philosophy invites individuals not only into deeper connections with their environment but also into richer personal growth through awareness of their current states of being rather than idealized versions from memory. It encourages cultivating an appreciation for life’s immediate pleasures while maintaining a balanced approach toward emotional richness without becoming overwhelmed by it.
