Who would have thought the German designer Karl Lagerfeld is actually quite mindful? 

This is a man who admits to being rude and annoying. He himself says, “I would not recommend myself as a guest to anyone.”

He probably wouldn’t admit to being mindful, but he is—despite once being quoted as saying, “Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.”

Presuming he isn’t a fan of yoga, Lagerfeld has also been quoted as saying, “People who are obsessed with exercise, they are brainwashed. It is a bore.”

Realizing it or not, Lagerfeld does appear to live in the moment. These mindful quotes, coined as “karlisms,” demonstrate this well.

Karlisms for Living Mindfully:

“When people talk about the good old days, I say to people, ‘It’s not the days that are old, it’s you that’s old.’ I hate the good old days. What is important is that today is good.”

“You have to like the present; if not your life becomes second-hand, if you think it was better before. Or that it will be better in the future.”

“People who say that yesterday was better than today are ultimately devaluing their own existence.”

“I’ve survived quite a few generations. That’s because I never lost my enthusiasm. I wake up every morning like on Christmas Day, waiting for the gifts.”

“Music gives colour to the air of the moment.”

“I like nothing better than concrete reality.”

“I design like I breathe. You don’t ask to breathe. It just happens.”

“I’m very much down to earth, just not this earth.”

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One final Karlism:

“I only know how to play one role: me.”

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Author: Kym Nelson

Image: Flickr/Trendsetter Mark Holiday

Apprentice Editor: Katerina Kan; Editor: Travis May