In a world where success is often measured in material wealth and social status, Jade Bonacolta humbles us with the meaning of luxury. These six elements—time, health, a quiet mind, slow mornings, the ability to travel, and a house full of love—outline a blueprint for a fulfilling life, transcending the conventional trappings of luxury. Jade Bonacolta is the head of Marketing in North America for Google Cloud. She specialises in Media, Entertainment, and Games. Her work can be found twice in Forbes. Outside of work, she writes on personal growth over on LinkedIn, where she is actually the most followed productivity creator in the whole world, and the second most followed female author. She also writes a weekly newsletter called The Quiet Rich.
Time: The Inexplicable Coin
“Lost time is never found again.” Already pulsating with deeper meaning in today’s world, these wise words spoken by Benjamin Franklin sound even more significant in India, where ancient philosophies emphasize the value of cyclic time, and wisdom regards it as a brick-and-mortar entity. Time allows us to engage with our passions, spend time with our people, and contemplate our place in the cosmos. It is the only true currency that exists; after it’s been spent, it’s used up. To embrace this opulence is to learn to value truly important things: relationships, experiences, and personal growth.
Health: The Mother of All Possibilities
The Buddha declared “Health is the greatest gift,” which is an eternal truth cutting across time and space, including India’s rich tapestry of life. Health is far beyond the absence of an ailment; it’s a vibrant energy enabling us to perform and be productive, to enjoy days being active, to relate with others and the world. On this journey toward health, practices associated with India—such as Yoga and Pranayama—give insight into keeping our bodies and minds in balance and harmony.
A Silent Mind: The Realm of Peace
In the words of the Indian sage Patanjali, “Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence.” A quiet mind, free from the incessant chatter and clutter of everyday life, offers a luxury that many in our modern society struggle to find. Clarity, wisdom to make sensible decisions, and an appreciation of the moment come from being still. Having a quiet mind through meditation, mindfulness, or just spending time in nature could allow great peace and contentment.
Slow Mornings: The Joy of Being
There is a pleasure in these slow mornings—a rare start to the day with no rush, no urgency, but just the possibilities beginning to open up one after the other. Rabindranath Tagore, one of the greatest poets in India, celebrated that silent rhythm of nature in his works and tried to suggest a harmony we can emulate in our daily routines. Mornings are slow—in pauses and breaths between busy days—to be able to savour coffee, sit with the sunrise, or just be present with one’s thoughts.
Ability to Travel: A Gift of Perspective
Travel opens the mind and enriches the soul. New cultures, ideas, and landscapes open up before us the diversity in human experience. A trip, ideally known as yatra in the Indian tradition, truly encapsulates that luxury in being physical and spiritual, thus unfolding serenity in wanderers. It gives the prospect of travel a whole new light in life and our status therein—that which is far away or right where we are.
A House Full of Love: The Ultimate Sanctuary
“A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.” Such are the famous words of an old proverb. A home for an Indian is his sacred space, a sanctuary where family and tradition are of paramount importance. A big house does not make a home; a house that is full of love, though not necessarily built of priceless materials or huge, will always be the definition of warmth and welcome to whoever will enter it. This luxury constitutes the scaffold of sustenance and warmth around which a fulfilled life is built.
In fact, it is because every one of these luxuries opens the way to deeper satisfaction and a richer, more meaningful existence, reminding us that true wealth is not in what we can amass but what we get to enjoy and be grateful for. It now becomes incumbent that, as we walk through the realities of life in modern times, we try to adopt some of these timeless luxuries into our lives each day to build real wealth that money cannot buy, one that ensures a legacy of happiness and peace.
Dr. Prahlada N. B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh).
MBA (BITS, Pilani), MHA,
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru).
Sir I am from Raipur(CG) .I have met you at Raipur during workshops and conferences and see and listen to you and see your surgeries during various conferences and workshop across India.Really very rarely one is born with so much talent apart from being a fabulous ENT surgeon. I read your regular posts in many of ENT groups.Really I jave great regards for you.I am older to you aged 66 yrs and retired at the age of 60 as Head ENT in 2018.I am presently practicing and am attached to a PVT Medical college as visiting.Could not stop myself after seeing post to pen down my feelings.Would meet you certainly sometime.Would be coming to AOCON 2025 at Kochi! Namaskar!
ReplyGood read in morning with a cup of tea that I am having. So much to learn from you. I hope you keep posting many more blogs including diverse opportunities for ENT speciality to proper…
ReplyThanks Prahlada Sir,
for this nice topic on Jade Bonacolta's perceptions on a happy life 🤝
What I made out of Jade Bonacolta's six keys to a successful, satisfying, and healthier life, through your blog-read is presented as below :
1. *Purpose: The Compass*
"Having purpose is like having a compass in a dense forest. It guides you through life's twists and turns, ensuring you're headed in the right direction."
Jade shares how her grandmother's purpose was to care for her family, inspiring Jade to find her own purpose in helping others.
1. *Resilience: The Bamboo Tree*
"Resilience is like a bamboo tree, flexible and strong. It bends in the wind but never breaks, symbolizing our ability to adapt and thrive in adversity."
Jade recounts how she overcame a difficult breakup by focusing on self-care and emerging stronger, like the bamboo tree.
1. *Nourishment: The Garden*
"Nourishment is like tending to a garden. You must water, prune, and nurture your body, mind, and spirit to grow and flourish."
Jade shares her experience of adopting a balanced diet and exercise routine, leading to increased energy and vitality, just like a well-tended garden.
1. *Connection: The Web*
"Connection is like a web, intricate and interconnected. Building strong relationships with others and yourself is essential for a satisfying life."
Jade illustrates this with the story of her close-knit family, who supported each other through thick and thin, like a sturdy web.
1. *Mindfulness: The River*
"Mindfulness is like flowing with a river. You must be present in the moment, letting go of distractions and embracing the journey."
Jade describes how practicing mindfulness helped her navigate life's challenges with greater ease and clarity, just like a river flowing smoothly to its destination.
1. *Self-Love: The Mirror*
"Self-love is like gazing into a mirror, accepting and embracing your true reflection. It's the foundation for a happier, healthier life."
Jade shares her personal journey of self-acceptance, learning to love herself flaws and all, just as she would a close friend.
These six keys, illustrated with anecdotes and similes, offer a inspiring guide to living a successful, satisfying, and healthier life.
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