Why Not Be Comfortable?

Common sense tells us that we should choose to be comfortable, but

so often we forget how important comfort is. When we have good
health, we tend to take it for granted. The same seems true of
creature
comforts. When we feel comfortable, in tangible as well as intangible
ways, we should pay attention to the elements that make us feel so
well
environmentally and physiologically, as well as spiritually.
While many of us live with some kind of bodily discomfort and
pain, we should try not to add to the problem by ignoring our need for
comfort. About twenty years ago, while in Spain on a family vacation, I
found some chartreuse patterned leather flats. I can’t remember that
they
were too tight or that I hobbled around Madrid in pain, but years later,
I pulled these shoes out of my closet, dusted them off, and put them
on
to coordinate with my chartreuse slacks. Ouch. My right foot is a good
half size larger than my left. Ouch. Ouch. My feet have grown larger
now that I am wearing more comfortable soft leather shoes. But I was
in
denial. Dumb as I was, I thought, “If the shoe doesn’t fit, wear it.” I
lived
through a painful day of my feet aching so badly I wanted to cry. I
wasn’t
at the beach where I could kick off my shoes; I was in New York City,
going from place to place, meeting to meeting. You could see the pain
on
my face. If you have blisters on your heel, you can’t think lofty
thoughts.
We choose ouch vs. ahh.

Our foot doctor told Peter and me that a large portion of the
operations
he performs are on women who have damaged their feet by their
choice
of footwear. “Try telling a thirty-five-year-old woman to wear sensible
shoes . . . she won’t listen.”
For years I wore uncomfortably tight earrings because I was afraid
if they were comfortable they might fall off. I got so used to the pain, I
thought it was natural to be uncomfortable. My mother told me
growing
up that when you’re not comfortable, you look more beautiful. Where
did
this advice come from? This is simply not true.
It amazes me the types of underpants Victoria’s Secret sells to
prevent
lines under snug-fitting pants. Can you just imagine the discomfort? If
there is a label on the back of a blouse, I remove it so it won’t irritate
me.
The smallest thing can cause us discomfort. A blouse that is too tight
and
gapes at the bra line can cause a woman to slouch her shoulders,
causing
bad posture. If you’ve ever worn slacks that are too tight and they
chafe,
you know how it feels. It’s wonderful to wear pants that are loose
enough
so we can move easily and freely. Our clothes are meant to serve us,
to be
practical and comfortable as well as stylish.
The good life is not about being Spartan. Remember, the Buddha
didn’t become enlightened until he sat comfortably under the bodhi
tree.
There is great luxury in being comfortable. Being cozy is an important
part of living well. Life is made up of little comforts. Think of the
comfort
a child feels carrying around a security blanket or teddy bear.
Be gentle on yourself. Life is going to naturally cause us discomfort
over the years, no matter what our choices. We can choose to treat
ourselves
tenderly in big obvious ways as well as little things to make ourselves
more comfortable so that we can enjoy whatever we’re doing.
Do whatever you can to add comfort at home. The best investment
you
can make is to have a good mattress and good comfortable
upholstered
furniture. I love to sit in a swivel chair where I’m free to move without
having to get up.
Add a cushion to a bench. Put a wool throw blanket over your legs to
feel cozy on the sofa. The legendary interior decorator, Elsie de Wolfe,
believed, “The only thing that rivals the comfort of candlelight is the
glow of an open fire.” Many of my clients never use their fi replaces
because they feel building a fire is too messy and too much work. I’d
chop my own wood in a forest if I had to in order to enjoy the comfort
of sitting by a fire with my feet on a footstool reading or enjoying an
intimate conversation.
When you’re comfortable, you’re free. Why not enjoy a shag rug
underfoot in your bedroom if that makes you feel good? Fold an
antique
quilt at the foot of the bed for emotional comfort as well as warmth
when desired. Frame a picture of yourself when you were two or three
years old and looked darling. That’s who you are. Take comfort in you.
Comfort allows you to meditate and contemplate without distractions.
You’re less tired when you feel comfortable because you’re increasing
your appreciation of life.
Consider the real comforts you enjoy—a small table for your dictionary
so it is always right next to you at the desk. Having a footstool handy
is
always a grace note. I tuck a tiny, pretty, flower-covered pillow under
my
arm as I write. I use a pillow at the back of a chair as well as having a
cushion on the seat.
When choosing art and decorative objects for your home, be sure they
are easy on the eye, inviting and comfortable. Several Impressionist
artists
painted comfortable interiors; one of my favorites is Matisse, who
wrote
in Notes of a Painter, “What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity
and
serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter . . . a
soothing,
calming influence on the mind, something like a good armchair which
provides relaxation from physical fatigue.”
Always consider your emotional as well as physical comfort. On a
steamy August afternoon, a cool bath, a bathrobe, and a ten-minute
rest
in bed under a ceiling fan can be just the right choice before you get
going.
During heatwaves when there is no breeze and humidity is high,
rather
than eating out-of-doors on the water, Peter and I go to Noah’s
restaurant

for lunch to soak in the air conditioning while enjoying a delicious

meal
in the luxury of comfort.
The good life softens the blows of stress and anxiety through comfort.
Familiar places, an old sweater, a neck roll, smooth white paper, a
good
fountain pen, soft sheets, soothing music, comfortable clothes to
wear,
comfort food to eat, all add to greater ease of mind and body. The
greatest
comfort is to be comfortable with who you are, and to surround
yourself
with comfortable good people.