What is Lagniappe Living?

What does Lagniappe Living Mean?

 

In New Orleans, where I’m from, the word “lagniappe” is synonymous with “cher”, “laissez les bon temps rouler” and “gris gris”.  Oh, that probably doesn’t help, does it?  Well, in simple terms, “lagniappe” means something extra or a bonus.  Typically it refers to a small gift given to a customer by a merchant at the time of purchase or something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure.  

 

Lagniappe (pronounced ‘lan-yap’) is actually a modified form of a. Louisiana French creole term that derives from the New-World Spanish la ñapa, a gift, which in turn has its origin in a Quechua word yapa for a gift or tip.

 

Now, that you’ve had a linguistics tutorial, let me tell you what I mean when I say we need to all be “lagniappe living”.  It has a two-part meaning.  First, I mean that you need to always been living your best life.  Yeah, yeah, I know, right?  You’ve heard that phrase a million times.  Well, now a million and one.  But seriously, it’s true.  You need to be out there.  You need to be trying and risking and asking and taking.  You need to be falling down and picking yourself right back up.  You need to be learning and searching and creating.  And when you do ALL of that, you get a little something unexpected and “extra”.  When you are “checking out” at the proverbial “universe” store, you get a little something extra in your bag.  A little gift for your efforts.  The universe rewards YOU because YOU deserve it.  It’s as if your efforts are doubled (and who doesn’t love more of a good thing, right?).  

 

The second meaning of lagniappe living is that when you live like you are capable and focused and determined and humble and mindful--you give a little extra out into the universe and to the people around you.  You give out a little “lagniappe” to others.  You make the next person in line get a “bonus”.  You are paying it forward (darnit, I bet you thought I wouldn’t use another tired phrase, didn’t you?).  You are the “gift”.  Your presence is the “reward”.  Your “presence” is the “present” (see how I did that?).  

 

So now that this all sinks in, you can go out today (or tomorrow or next week—No, I really meant today—Living Lagniappe does not mean you can slack) and really put this to practice.  You can give it your all and receive even more.  You can know that your efforts pay off and then some.  You will see how tiny changes in your life can make BIG differences.  

 

Next time we’ll talk about some of the small changes you can start with.  But for now, laissez les bon temps rouler!

Allyson Brupbacher was born and raised in New Orleans until she enrolled and then graduated from University of Houston Law School in 1997.  She has been practicing  family law for over 20 years.  She is board certified in family law and a licensed mediator. She lives in Houston, Texas.  She describes herself as a lawyer, mother and badass but not necessarily in that order.  Her background provides a unique perspective to help parties in the middle of a divorce.  If you are in need of a divorce or transitional coach, contact her at www.coachingbyallyb.com or email at allyb@coachingbyallyb.com or follow her on Instagram @coachingbyallyb and @texasdivorcecoahc, Facebook and Twitter @coachingbyallyb.  And visit her blog--https://coachingbyallyb.blogspot.com.