Today is Magical Monday!
Last week’s winner is “Pink Ink” who will win Kay Nuyens, “Invitation to Greatness!”The person leaving the best comment today will receive a “Starbucks Gift Card.”
“How Do You “Treat” Yourself?”It’s easy today to feel bogged down with too much to do and not enough time to do it. Or you may be one who has lost a job and have too much time on your hands. No matter what is happening in your life it’s important that you enjoy it.
One way we can do that is to learn to ”treat” ourselves well. A treat is something that makes you smile.
Tich Nhat Hanh, a monk and activist states, “If a child smiles, if an adult smiles, that is very important.”
Treats don’t have to be extravagant or expensive. However they can be. I like to fill my days with smaller treats. For example the following are a few of my sensory delights or treats:
Taste:
A warm chocolate chip cookie
A cookie dough ice cream cone
A fruit smoothie I make myself
Meeting friends for coffee
A cold slice of watermelon
Sight:
Watching children play in a park
Hiking a new trail
Running in a different city
Sunrises and sunsets
Flower shops, farms and green houses
Meeting a friend in a bookstore coffee shop
My husband sitting across from me at the kitchen table
The busyness, colors and produce at a Farmer’s Market
Smell:
Fishing on the lake
Spending time with my new grandson
Fresh flowers on my table
Purchasing bread at a bakery
Walking in the rain
The different smells of the 4 seasons
Our musty cottage in the Spring.
Touch:
Art supply, craft and book stores
My mom’s worn hands of 89 years
A new puppy
Hugs and kisses to and from friends and family
Comfortable t-shirts
Warm sweaters and scarves
Comfy pillows
Sounds
The voices of my family and friends
School bells
Listening to Music:
Sarah Brightman
Elton John & Billy Joel
American Idol
Andrea Bocelli
Chris Martin to name a few.
I encourage you to delight your senses and fill yourself with smiles and joy. Give yourself the time and attention required to treat yourself.
Discove methods to include them in your daily life.
What are your favorite ways to treat yourself?
What prevents you from treating yourself well?
A Starbucks gift card goes to the person with the best list!
One more thing: I am a quest for The Jungle of Life and Travlin Local today. Be sure to check them both out!
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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Tesse,
This is really beautiful post! How nicely you describe to have little treats!
I’d practice this kind of living with my family hereafter!
Solomon
Solomon’s last blog post..Leverage the RAW ENERGY of YOUR SPEECH
Hi Tess!
I read you over at Lance’s blog!
I am naturally a giver that in itself gives me sheer joy, but I also love to treat myself daily to a candle lit bath with my Bath & Body Works products.
Tabitha’s last blog post..I Am SO Having A Giveaway!!
Solomon,
So my little list inspires you to treat yourself well as well as your family. Thanks for making me smile.
Tabitha,
Candle lit baths daily? Now that’s living!
Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Magical Mondays Make Them 1/7 Of Your Life
Hi Tess. With the exception of the husband (cause I don’t have one), the bread and the watermelon, I enjoy the same things as you. What else? Sipping a nice glass of wine, taking an afternoon nap or enjoying a really good cup of coffee at a new time of day. Who do you think will win Idol? I’m betting on Adam — he is brilliant! (Too good for the competition I think.)
Davina’s last blog post..The Morning Muse — Photo Story
Here are the ways I treat myself:
1. My absolute favorite – going to the beach and looking at the ocean. Whenever I stand on the beach, I am reminded that my problems are small in comparison.
2. Hugging my husband as often as I want
3 One of my favorite drinks at Starbucks
4. Buying music from Itunes (10 songs max)
5. Gettting out of work early
6. A book or a magazine
I have never felt bad about treating myself. My mother used to struggle with it a lot and I swore to myself I would not repeat that mistake. So far so good!
Great post, Tess!
Nadia – Happy Lotus’s last blog post..Be Undeniably Good
I love giving myself little treats whenever I can. The best ways I treat myself are by writing for hours on end, reading a great novel, diving back into a pile of children’s books I loved as a child, taking a long walk with my pup, or having a long talk with a good, dear friend.
This post made me smile. Thanks!
Positively Present’s last blog post..change your attitude, change the world
To remind the self what it means to detach from wanting enables the self to attain new levels of emotional freedom. You may ask how to experience joy and bliss if you evolve to have no feelings. Treating the self to the wonders and wisdom of silence empowers the self to realize things only appear and disappear in mind. If your physical form asks how to treat itself to experience bliss, then you grow to realize your form appears and disappears in cycles of life and death. To make or do anything is a hindrance to bliss. That is t say, doing nothing, being present is the way to love and true joy.
Liara Covert’s last blog post..What if you made a radical shift?
Liara,
You’re so right however I’m not as advanced as you are so I will keep treating my self;)
Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Magical Mondays Make Them 1/7 Of Your Life
Thanks for sharing, some ways I like to treat myself are:
A “chick flick” with the girls, margarita with salt rim, listening to a joel osteen CD, a long walk upon awakening in the am, enjoying a “back scratch” from my kids, ooooooh and listening my new nephew COO in my ear!
Thank you MOM, for showing me how to treat MYSELF!
Always love,
Shelly
Roshelle Brockman’s last blog post..Magical Mondays Make Them 1/7 Of Your Life
Roshelle,
Well it sounds like you treat yourself well and know exactly what you want!
Rock on!
Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Magical Mondays Make Them 1/7 Of Your Life
Hi! I treated myself to a pedicure today!!! Which, was absolutely wonderful, but is a difficult thing for me to do. I always feel slightly guilty when I treat myself, because I feel like I’m being selfish.
My little treats from today were…
Taste: One chocolate biscotti at Starbucks.
Sight: The sun-dappled leaves above me in the little park where I practiced guitar.
Smell: My lemon-fresh cleaner — sparkling bathroom now!
Touch: My guitar fretboard with strings under my left fingers, feel my hand getting stronger and more graceful.
Sound: A squirrel singing along with me!
All those made me smile today. What a great day.
Jannie Funster’s last blog post..Twitterpated (not!) (yet)
Life is full of treats. Here are some of my favorite treats. Today I was lucky enough to listen to my 4 month old nephew on the phone talk to his mom. I just love it when I hear his mom sing to him as well. It is such a treat to see her transition to motherhood. It makes my heart smile. I live in the south and it is a wonderful treat to have nice weather most of the time as I absolutely love to drive with my windows down, moon roof open, and sing to the radio. The joy this brings to me is nearly as pleasant as when I am dancing to those same songs : ). I love when you and dad come to visit me in Atlanta and we ‘treat’ ourselves to DQ every night. It is such a treat to have a healthy body that I am amazed can keep up with my marathons, triathlons, and gym mania! It is such a treat to have my sisters come and visit me in Atlanta : ). I love the treat of eating out or getting a Starbucks coffee. I have found that if I limit myself to 1-2 times a week for dining our or Starbucks, I get more pleasure from them. What a treat it is for me to be able to go on vacation and swim with the dolphins…..I feel my life is so full of ‘treats’ that I am beginning to feel a bit guilty ……
What a great idea for a post! It made me happier just reading it. Ok here is an abbreviated version of my list:
Taste- Starbucks, dark chocolate, blackened salmon… yum yum
Sight- My children laughing, my girlfriend smiling, anything and everything in nature, a really old couple walking and holding hands
Smell- Coffee, the air after a thunderstorm, the forest, baking cookies, leather
Sound- Music, the tone of a really good guitar, my children laughing, my girlfriend laughing, a fish jumping, the night sounds in summer, the sound of my Harley
Touch- The soft feel of my girlfriends hand in mine, the hugs from my children, the feel of leather, our dog, and I love the feel of books (is that weird?)
Thanks Tess!
Keith’s last blog post..Do You Believe?
I smiled at everyone who was out exercising and walking the Lake in the black sky pouring rain….and they all smiled back. Then I curled up with my book and read and dozed for two hours, by the fireplace.
Lovely thoughts …thank you for sharing.
Patricia’s last blog post..Kindle 2 and 5 Things I Love About It!
Tess,
What a detailed list! When I want to give myself a treat, I’ll either:
1. Light a candle with aromatherapy oil (light and smell)
2. Go for foot reflexology (feeling, smell)
Daphne’s last blog post..Attaining Spiritual Peace
THANKS for picking me as winner from the last post!!
My favorite treats:
opening my email and finding I won a blog prize
gumballs from the supermarket dispensers
Oreo cookies – double stuff kind
warm sand between my toes – beach or kids’ sandbox
a Doris Day movie, esp. Pillow Talk
Michael Buble’s ballad “Everything”
a bike ride
a good book from the library that I can read while hubby makes dinner
singing while playing the piano – esp. “Stairway to Heaven”
seeing a set of colorful adirondack chairs on a cloudy winter day
sleep!
Pink Ink’s last blog post..I May Not Be Taylor Swift, But…
Alright Shelly,
Then why don’t we take a day and do all you have listed. I’ll meet you at the cottage!
Liz,
I hear what you’re saying. It’s the same for me when it comes to pedi’s and mani’s.
I think “I could be doing something else with this money. Then I look good and feel good so I keep going…sparingly!
Jannie,
You’re right , what a great day!
Kristy,
Right there is the name of your book or blog, marathons, triathlons and gym mania.
I’m happy to be a part of your DQ treats.
See you in Chicago in August.
Keith,
What a wonderful list. And it sounds like a happy family. No no on the books I love that as well. I just don’t get kindles. How am I suppose to smell, dog ear, feel and underline with my high lighter?!?
Patricia,
Sounds wonderful. I miss the lake we used to live near and walk and run around 5 days a week. Oops I’ll be over to read about your kindle.
Daphne,
I need to get a foot massage as well! Thanks for stopping by.
Pink Ink,
I love your list. I also love gum balls and supermarkets.
Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Magical Mondays Make Them 1/7 Of Your Life
I also have had a hard time learning to be kind to myself. I am trying to incorporate meaningful treats into my life, such as stopping what I am doing to truly interact with my children when one of them has something to share with me; looking at the shells I picked up on a recent, very restoring, trip to the beach with my aunt; feeling my husband’s relaxed body against mine if he falls asleep first; savoring a favorite book (love that smell, new and old books have different but wonderful smells); eating a lovely piece of fruit for a snack instead of something that does not feed my body or soul; doing just about anything in my flower garden; and, the quietest moment of my day, sitting with my cat purring in my lap. There are so many good moments in life if we slow down and savor them.
LOVE THIS!!! And most everything on your list cost very little money. I will admit that my big splurges (but oh what a treat!) is a massage or a nice bottle of wine, but I’m also very content with a good book by a fire.
BTW, I just stumbled across your website, and I’m so thankful I did. Keep living bold.
Hi Tess.
I treat myself by spending time reading a good book, practicing mindful meditation or lighting a candle on my deck and listening to the birds that have migrated back up north.
Thanks for sharing so much of yourself.
Helen
Tess, as you kindly remind readers, differnt kinds of treats exist. One’s frame of mind, mood and other inclinations all have power to exert influence. Some human beings feel like sleep is a treat whereas other people choose sweets. Many choices exist to reassure the spirit and to soothe the soul.
Liara Covert’s last blog post..Why learn to split consciousness?
really inspiring and uplifting post.
solid
Alex’s last blog post..Resistance: What It Is and How to Stop It
Barbara,
Each treat you mention sounds wonderful and feeds one’s soul.
Tonya,
A message, wine and a good book. Can’t beat that!
Helen,
Sounds great. My desk has so much stuff on it I’d have a fire if I lit a candle. Thanks for stopping by. I think I’ll go clean my desk!
Liara,
Your insights are always so good do you want to pick the winner?
Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Magical Mondays Make Them 1/7 Of Your Life
My best treat is taking time to teach art classes to children in my spare time…just watching them tackle projects without fear and absolute limitless joy is the best feeling EVER!!! (And what a mess we make!
Hi Tess .. after 2+ years of my Ma of 88 with three major strokes, she can talk and think (to a point – but better than most about the things that interest her) .. I’ll put down some of our ideas .. togetherness .. (at the moment she’s in hospital – she’s well, but just needs something restored and then we can get back to the Nursing Centre .. a private room & visiting at any time)
Taste: a cup of tea (she’s nil by mouth); raspberries on a fresh summer afternoon with Cornish cream; champagne .. is her tipple now – she said to me today at the hospital
Sight: she can read words, but loves cards and letters from friends and family .. hence my positive letters to elicit as many of these as possible .. now being formatted into a blog .. descriptive triggers for discussion; fresh flowers all the time – anemones (Cornish)
Smell: scented flowers – sweet peas, roses, narcissi, mahonia, daphne, jasmine
Touch: holding hands; a regular kiss and hug; comfort
Sounds: – peace and quiet; a reading from me .. her cards and letters, my positive stories or letters; talking of old times – Cornwall, our childhood, her childhood, her visits to South Africa, time now in Sussex with the family ..
It’s a time to celebrate her life, give her as much as is feasibly possible, care and give her laughter for her eyes, face and heart & peace to go forward with .. – to be positive and we are …
Thank you for reading, listening and caring ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Hilary’s last blog post..Innocent Pleasures …
Your list of sensory delights is wonderful, and it already contains many of the things I love myself, so I will just add: Thank you!
Karen
Hi Tess .. can I add one extra special one for ..
touch … butterfly massage = apparently fantastic help to my Ma …
Thanks very much
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Hilary’s last blog post..Innocent Pleasures …
Hey Tess,
Love Thich Nhat Hanh’s quote. He’s a very poetic soul. My treats are boring – FOOD! What food exactly changes from week to week but a full stomach always makes my day
Albert | UrbanMonk.Net’s last blog post..Allowing Your Loved Ones Their Full Experience, Part 4
Treating ourselves well. This is something we tend to forget due to all our other concerns. But in order to be effective in everything else, we must be whole first, and we must treat ourselves well. One of the lessons I learned recently is by accepting and still loving myself despite my mistakes, even despite the not-so-nice actions that I was able to do. We treat ourselves well when are able to give ourselves unconditional acceptance and love
Jocelyn of I TAKE OFF THE MASK’s last blog post..The Importance of One Person
This is SO my kind of post but it fried my brain trying to capture and list some of the things I see as treats. So many daily joys, so little time! One of my treats is reading blogs like this that inspire me; I used to do more of it but I’ve had to cut down on that as I could get truly swept away or feel like I can’t publish posts with similar themes because they’ve been ‘done’ recently. That makes it more of a treat now when I do visit!
Pizza – there you go… One snuck in.
janice’s last blog post..How to Choose the Desires that Guide You
I operate a 24hr emergency response business with my husband in the UK. My treat is to take time EVERY morning to have our breakfast together. We sit in our easy chairs -face to face- and have our ritual 3 times porriage pass. More Love, continued health, and happiness. Then after our breakfast is eaten, we discuss the pans for the day ahead while he holds my feet. Then before we get up we each share or anticipated positives for the day or reminise about the good things from the day before.
Did I read it right? Did I win a Starbucks card?! =)
Keith’s last blog post..5 Steps Before You Can Make Money Online
Everybody deserves a treat. Take a break, enjoy a treat, and savor the experience.
Great blog!
Ken’s last blog post..Outcome Thinking of NLP Leads to Success
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