So on my last trip to Miami the discussion came up about the high rise condos and the ostentatious units and eccentric penthouses. At one point someone asked, “where did the name penthouse come from?”

So, on the flight home I began doing a little investagatory journalism (a classic term from Zoolander) about penthouses and here is what I found . . .

Both Britannica Online and Merriam-Webster define penthouse as “a structure or dwelling built on the roof of a building.” But when you dig a little deeper, you find some good information – from Mavens’ Word of the Day: “Penthouse” comes from the word pentis, which comes from apentis, which comes from apendere, which means to hang against or attach. A pentis was a shed with a sloping roof attached to a wall or building. At some point, people began referring to the structure’s roof as a “pentis,” and the actual shed became a “penthouse.”

So what does the definition of a penthouse have to do with conscious living you may ask? Well, look at it this way – while many things look inviting and desirable based on their label, status or price tag, when you get to the root of what it stands for or means, it may not be what you are looking for or want in your life.

Take some time to evaluate what you find important and make sure at it’s root it is in line with your life.