The Age of Elegance

The giant puppets had planned their garden, but it was still cold outside, so they couldn't yet get their hands in the dirt. NOWCA had been quietly ruminating on an idea, and had asked the others to give feedback and offer their thoughts.

It was about a new kind of elegance, and they huddled around a bowl of popcorn with cups of tea as NOWCA explained it.

*******

According to the online dictionary, 'elegance' is a noun meaning 1. the quality of being graceful

image courtesy of Pixabay

and stylish in appearance or manner, style; and 2. the quality of being pleasingly ingenious and simple; neatness.

*******

NOWCA (addressing the other puppets): Thanks for letting me bounce my idea around with you.

Lately I've been yearning for elegance in my life, and wondering why it is that we hear of so few things being described as elegant these days. Any thoughts?

GOOD TIME: Because there isn't really much in the way of elegance in the way we live?

MR. PIPELINE: Because it's become passé, and no one cares about it?

PER: Because most of us are so busy and stressed that it's not something we think about much?

NOWCA: I think all of you are right and, Mr. Pipeline, it may not be stylish now, but I think it's time for elegance to make a comeback.

image courtesy of Pixabay

PER: I'm not sure what you're getting at exactly, NOWCA, but my sense is that a bit more elegance in life would be appealing.

MR. PIPELINE: It sounds like a great new marketing opportunity to me.

NOWCA: The way I envision it, it would be highly personalized, so conventional marketing probably wouldn't be effective.

MR. PIPELINE: To me, elegance has a lot to do with things that are expensive, and with opulence and prestige.

NOWCA: Mr. Pipeline, the way I see it, a new kind of elegance would be accessible, even to those who don't have a lot of money. Look at nature: it functions effortlessly without any costs, or any waste. That's the essence of the kind of elegance I'm seeking.

PER: It almost sounds like a spiritual quest, NOWCA, or an environmental mission.

NOWCA: It's both and more, Per. It's about an aesthetic that is perfectly suited to each person, that embodies respectful process while validating

image courtesy of Pixabay

and enhancing the individual, community and environment. And doing all those things in a beautiful way -- living our lives as though we're cultivating a flourishing garden.

GOOD TIME: Would yearly fashion and style trends still apply, NOWCA?

NOWCA: Not really, Good Time, since everything would be tailored to each individual and setting. The clothing that fits your particular body type; the mementos from your family; the colours that resonate with you. Those things can't be dictated by yearly trends.

PER: Would there be some things you'd get rid of? Plastic comes to mind.

NOWCA: For sure, I'd get rid of most stuff made of plastic, although I'd keep my laptop and other things made of plastic that are hard to replace. And I'd seek out things that don't harm the earth and its inhabitants.

We'd keep things like items that have been reused or repaired, or stuff produced by people who make a living wage, or things that help our environment. Everything would have a larger meaning; their histories would make them more or less elegant.

MR. PIPELINE: Sounds like an entrepreneur's worst nightmare! How would they keep costs down without cheap labour? How would they know what kind of inventory to have on hand?

NOWCA: Part of the elegance of my vision is the way it would change things. If business owners knew their customers well and understood their underlying values, it might be quite simple to cater to them.

image courtesy of Pixabay

GOOD TIME: What would housing look like with this new aesthetic, NOWCA?

NOWCA: Most housing would be smaller, with enough space to comfortably meet the needs of people who live in them. There'd be more shared spaces, gardens and tools. That way of living would build community and would be less wasteful.

MR. PIPELINE: That would kill ambition! What are people supposed to aspire to?

NOWCA: Caring relationships; a healthier planet; appreciation of the beauty around them...that sort of thing.

PER: Would it affect the way we do things?

NOWCA: It would. We wouldn't rush around so much, and take the time we need to care for ourselves, get to know each other and to serve our community.

MR. PIPELINE (standing up): That's the flakiest thing I've heard in my life! That's not how the world operates.

NOWCA: Mr. Pipeline, the world is being destroyed by the way things operate! We need to change. Wouldn't you like to live in a way that's meaningful, elegant and tailored to who you are?

MR. PIPELINE (walking out of the room and slamming the door): NOWCA, you have corrupted the meaning of elegance.

NOWCA (sitting stunned along with Per and Good Time): Hmm. Maybe it's time to take my idea more seriously. If it gets Mr. Pipeline that upset, there must be something to it.

image courtesy of Pixabay