Nudged: use the good body lotion

I’m kind of embarrassed that this one is on my list–again! But my tendency continues to be to “save” the good stuff, so I have to remind myself that I am worth it!

Are you holding onto bath salts, expensive perfume, any pampering thing that was given to you as a gift? Maybe you received a gift card for a massage or mani-pedi. Now it the time to pull it out and treat yourself!

Let’s do something extra special for ourselves this week.

What Happened: What started out as a must-do (pull out the big bottle of good lotion and remember to use it) turned into a looked-forward-to nightly ritual. Instead of just rubbing some lotion on my hands at the end of the day, I took my time and took this opportunity to thank different body parts for their hard work.

My arms, that carry many burdens, my own and others’. My legs, for taking me on adventures. My elbows, that are so easily ignored and neglected (and rough–geez!), that remind me to be flexible in my movements and my thinking.

This morning, I had a change of plans, so didn’t really need to get cleaned up and dressed to go out. I could spend all day in sweat pants covered in mud from the dog park. But then, tucked in the back of a drawer, I found another old tube of good lotion, another forgotten gift.

I cleaned myself up, went through my gratitude ritual, and will spend the rest of my day feeling…loved.

The Ah-Hahs: I am pleased to report this ritual has continued all week, to the point that I no longer have to remind myself to do it. It’s also reminded me to slow down and feel gratitude for so many of the “little” things I take for granted. I am richly blessed!