La Dolce Vita -- Back from a trip to Italy and feeling like doing nothing

The phrase "La Dolce Vita", which means "the sweet life" or "the good life," is the title of the 1960 film by the critically acclaimed director Federico Fellini. The film is a story of a passive journalist's week in Rome, and his search for both happiness and love that will never come.

But most people have come to use this term for living life the fullest, or Carpe Diem, something we almost never allow ourselves to do.

Coming back from a trip to Italy with my husband, it sends home the message that life is short, and youth is even shorter -- why waste time worrying about every little thing that has to be done?

The Italians "work to live" instead of what the Americans do: "living to work". With Blackberries taking over our lives, and being "at work" 24/7, we've lost the ability to live "La Dolce Vita".

We can't remember what it's like to just stroll down a street and look into windows without a goal in mind, or a time to get there. We've forgotten how to read a book just for fun, or sit and read the paper for hours. We can't remember the last time we spent all day cooking, to learn how to make something -- not for a specific dinner. Our days flow into years as we try so hard to fulfill our responsibilities - work, family, etc. and we just get older, not happier.

As I move towards the holidays this year --Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years -- I really want to be able to savor my life more. Join me in being more spontaneous, enjoying life more. I will try not to feel guilty for just doing nothing -- how about you?

Heather