“People can hate on you for doing what it is that makes you happy, but ultimately, it has to belong to you. It shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks. Life is not easy. The road to happiness is not a path well trotted. You have to find your own path to enlightenment.”

—Jamie Campbell Bower

“Voyage, travel, and change of place impart vigor.

—Seneca the Younger

“Look inside the green heart of Paris and you will see the exquisite beauty of one of the world’s most cherished places. That beauty quickens the love of life and stirs our desire for more. People—travelers—always want to come back to Paris again and again.”

—Susan Cahill, Hidden Gardens of Paris: A Guide to the Parks, Squares, and Woodlands of the City of Light

“There is but one Paris and however hard living may be here, and if it became worse and harder even—the French air clears up the brain and does good—a world of good.”

—Vincent Van Gogh

Preparations for my trip to Paris and points beyond have reached a fever pitch at Chez Catching Happiness. In only TWO days I’ll be jetting—la-di-dah—across the Atlantic. I’d be lying if I said I’m not a little scared, though mostly I’m excited and very much looking forward to it.

Since I’ll be gone for three weeks, here’s what’s going to happen with Catching Happiness:  I’ve scheduled some quotes to appear as usual on Fridays. I’ll have limited internet access, so forgive me if I don’t respond to comments. I’ll likely be posting to Instagram while I’m gone if any of you follow me there, and will be thrilled to share all my simple pleasures and everyday adventures once I get home and settled. Because of the length and timing of the trip, there will also be no Happy Little Thoughts newsletter in October. 

This trip feels like a life-changing event, as my trip to Greece was so many years ago. I’m looking forward to seeing who I am when I return.

So au revoir for now, and I wish you a very happy month of October!