A MINDFUL JOURNEY

EDITOR’S CHOICE A LOVE STORY

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, there’s no denying that nothing quite says “I love you” like an item of jewellery. Interestingly, love gave birth to high jewellery maison Van Cleef & Arpels; it was founded in 1906 following the wedding of Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels in Paris a few years before. Combining two of its major sources of inspiration – love and nature – Van Cleef & Arpels launched its Lovebird creations in the 1940s. On this 1945 brooch from the maison’s heritage collection, two diamond birds are perched on a yellow gold branch decorated with briolette-cut diamond flowers. The animals evoke a loving couple, looking in the same direction with their ruby eyes. As they are positioned very close to each other, their bodies seem to form a heart, a symbol of tenderness. Over the years, this collection has evolved with many exciting additions, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more romantic gift!

Imagine waking up every morning not just to the sound of your alarm clock, but to a sense of excitement, joy, and fulfilment about the day ahead. The reality is that – with the challenges that come with navigating the ups and downs of the fast-paced world we inhabit – it seems like an impossible ideal. Yet, life coaches profess that it can be achieved. The secret, they say, is to build your happiness on a purpose-driven life, with authenticity, mindfulness, work-life-balance, and self-empowerment making up the core pillars.

Admittedly, living your true, authentic self can be liberating – not conforming to what society expects of us. Discovering your true purpose is also like unlocking a secret formula for happiness; work becomes not just a job, but a manifestation of all that you’re passionate about. All the while, maintaining a harmonious balance between work responsibilities and one’s personal life becomes more than a concept; it becomes a practice. It’s not about juggling, but rather about integration and alignment that serves both your well-being and professional goals.

This level of mindfulness can help us to live in the present moment – a sense of presence that enriches our experience and contributes to overall happiness.

This month, The Self Issue delves into the lives and life philosophies of several prominent individuals in Thai society who are highly regarded, for various reasons. Cover personality Nualphan “Pang” Lamsam (Page 44) – widely known as Madam Pang – is one of the kingdom’s most influential business tycoons. As the fifth-generation heiress of the Lamsam clan she has carved out a name for herself through her hard work and active contributions to society, and to the country’s social and economic development as well. Madam Pang invites Prestige into her new holiday home in Cha-am and takes us through some of the highlights of her extraordinary life – a life that has been lived with mindfulness, purpose, and passion.

We also catch up with former Prestige cover personality Rarin “Tata” Thongma, who has been on a transformative journey, and now balances her roles as a full-time dharma practitioner and CEO of the Christina Grey Group (Page 56). Meanwhile, Dr. Suttipoj “Jimmy” Pattaramongkolkarn, the Co-founder and owner of Navella Medical and Wellness, stresses the importance of being physically active and engaging in activities that make us happy in the quest for ageing well (Page 54).

And in out travel feature (Page 134), four well-known Thai personalities reveal what they consider to be their ‘happy place’ – a cherished destination that allows them to reconnect with themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually.

We also explore the concept of a “digital detox” (Page 132) that has gained significant traction in recent years, considering how much of our time is spent engaged with digital devices and how that can be detrimental to our overall well-being.

Another important aspect of The Self Issue is how to express your individualism and taste, and for that we have you covered, too – be it fashion or beauty trends, the latest in watches and jewellery, dining, travel, gadgets, motoring, and what have you.

As Chinese New Year rolls around on February 10, we wish you and your loved ones the strength and courage of the dragon as you pursue your dreams in 2024!

François Oosthuizen | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF francois.o@burdaluxury.com