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Love & Gratitude

This month, we will weave a spell of love, romance, and gratitude into our daily round, opening our hearts and souls to receive more of the magic life has to offer. We will gaze a little deeper into the denotation of love and gratitude, both as emotions and as actions, and how they are intertwined.

About Polite Society

FEB11 Issue: From The Editors

"A Grateful Heart"
by Jacque Crosswell Watene
[ READ ARTICLE ] In the process of taking a personal inventory of my life, I’ve realized that while I have much room for improvement, and so many dreams yet unrealized, I already have so incredibly much to be grateful for… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Variations on a Theme

"Love & Gratitude"
by Christine Pethel
[ READ ARTICLE ] Encompassed within the pages of this issue, there will be variations on our theme of “Love and Gratitude.” Writings will be penned. Thoughts will be formed. Customs will be remembered. Beauty will be captured. But the common thread running through the fabric will be one of change. We will become better. We will love. We will change others. It is then that we will feel true love… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Etiquette

"A Proper Thanks"
by Jacque Crosswell Watene
[ READ ARTICLE ] "Before all the other rules, keep in mind that an imperfect note that comes with heartfelt sentiment is better than a perfect note that was never written." - Donna Pilato
[ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Abundant Living

"A Grateful Heart"
by Jacque Crosswell Watene
[ READ ARTICLE ] I have found the secret to happiness. It isn’t having more money, less bills, a larger home, a lover, a new car, or even greater health. Though these things might make us feel good for moments, they can never make us joyful… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Symbolism

"The Language of Your Soul"
by Christine Pethel
[ READ ARTICLE ] The sun was bright overhead, while a slight chill hung in the air, challenging the sun’s heat to warm the temperature. The briskness of my pace picked up, as I realized I was going to be late in saying goodbye… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Entertaining

"For the Love of Fondue"
by Marnie Parker
[ READ ARTICLE ] My love affair began with a crimson-colored, enamel pot decorated with delicate yellow and white daisies. It seemed to beckon me from the cluttered vendor table at a flea market in Homburg, Germany… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Poetry

"Selections of Poetry"
[ READ ARTICLE ]

FEB11 Issue: Lost & Found

"The Lost Art of Letter Writing"
by Jessica Ceason
[ READ ARTICLE ] Felt tip, fine point pens were more expensive than a bulk pack of ink pens, but my grandmother’s handwriting was an art that involved using the finest material. Shortly after her passing in 2003, my mother’s correspondence to me started to contain carefully drawn letters, seemingly increasing their meaning… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Polite Society Challenge

"Connecting Through Correspondence"
by Jacque Crosswell Watene
[ READ ARTICLE ] We live in an age where many of the strict rules of etiquette that once governed our grandparents’ lives are no longer recognized or accredited, and while there are many benefits to the modern freedoms of conduct we enjoy, some of the decorous obligations once held dear in generations past, such as letter writing, have sadly gone by the wayside… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Language, Literature & Romanticism

"Romanticism: The Period of Lovers"
by Amy Carpenter
[ READ ARTICLE ] Imagine a world ruled by reason. In this world, nature is a machine, clicking away at a regular speed, following set rules, never varying, as reliable as the sunrise. Music dances to a certain beat, its genius creators following strict rules of composition —sensible and predictable. Artwork is seen merely as a mirror of reality, like the shimmering reflection of mountains and sky in a lake on a clear summer day…
[ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Music

"Rhapsodies of Love and Life"
by Amy Carpenter
[ READ ARTICLE ] There is a phenomenon that occurs whenever we hear a certain song. When we hear the familiar melody, we recall certain moments with their accompanying emotions… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Travel at Home and Abroad

"Mon Amour pour Paris"
by Heather Williams
[ READ ARTICLE ] When we landed in Paris, Heather's husband, Pierre (how appropriate, right?), picked us up from the airport and drove us to their gorgeous apartment, five floors up in a beautiful 1800's Parisian building in the heart of Paris. I was in love already! …
[ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Art History

"The Elusive Smile"
by Peri Musser
[ READ ARTICLE ] The Musée du Louvre (or The Louvre Museum) can become the site of a love affair for all who consider themselves the least bit art savvy. Romantically situated within Paris, the museum contains more than 380,000 objects and displays 35,000 works of art in eight curatorial departments with more than 60,600 square metres (652,000 sq ft) dedicated to the permanent collection.
[ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: From The Inside Out

"Loving the Inner Self"
by Christine Pethel
[ READ ARTICLE ] No amount of external force can bring you happiness; you must first learn to be content from the inside out. When you begin to “Love the Inner Self,” all you desire will manifest itself unto you —finances will flourish, weight will disappear, and relationships will be fostered… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: People of Note

"Jane Austen"
[ READ ARTICLE ] …What first comes to mind are dreams of afternoon tea, elegant soirees and ball gowns, tall handsome men with adorable British accents, the marvelous and extinct idea of a drawing room, a foggy and verdant countryside, and subtle hints of passion masked behind proper Victorian manners and educated witticisms… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Literary Circle

"Pride and Prejudice"
by Geneil Johnson
[ READ ARTICLE ]

FEB11 Issue: Polite Society Feature

"Treasures From The Past"
by Jacque Crosswell Watene
[ READ ARTICLE ] "Come with me; I want to show you something,” my Aunt said as she led me up the attic stairs one warm summer afternoon. We had just spent the better part of the morning sorting and sifting through old family photos… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Mind Body Spirit

"The Love & Gratitude Connection"
by April Ruffner
[ READ ARTICLE ] Love is necessary for healing ourselves and our relationships with others… Gratitude gives us a greater sense of well-being… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: A Storybook Life

"Children of Nature"
by Benji Schultz
[ READ ARTICLE ] “I’m still alive,” you say out loud.
“What day is it?” you continue, not realizing that you are speaking with your voice. You remember that you aren’t just thinking it. …
[ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Culinary Fare

"Romancing Your Friends"
by Whitney Ingram
[ READ ARTICLE ] We should celebrate the love in our relationships everyday, and the month of February is a good reminder of that. Indeed, love must be special if there is an entire month dedicated to it. During the month of February, we are encouraged and inclined to indulge in the finest of chocolates, the most intimate of love letters, and the most secret Valentine’s crushes… [ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Recipe Book

"Polite Society Recipes"
[ READ ARTICLE ] Recipes from the Polite Society Kitchen…
[ read more ]

FEB11 Issue: Credits

"Credits and Special Thanks"
[ READ ARTICLE ]

“Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.”

-Denis Waitley