Practicing Indulgence

In-dul-gence. Ohhh, say it slow, even the letting the word roll off our tongue feels good. In-dul-gence, a treat, a luxury, an extravagance, a pleasure, mmmmmm, in-dul-gence. In our fast paced world, and ever efficient lifestyles we don't even have time to say the word very often, let alone practice it-do we! Let's work on this one together, indulgance, by encarta's definition is" the act of gratifying or yielding to a wish", what does it mean by YOUR definition.

Think back to the last time you had that feeling. Can you remember? What would it be like to bring some purposeful, intentional indulgence into your life on a regular basis?

I am all for spontinaty, but sometimes if you wait for it to happen, it becomes a looooong wait, sometimes we have to create the opportunity, the setting , the mood, and we really have to practice strengthening our indulgence muscle! The benefits include increased personal satisfaction, increased stress management and increased tolerance, but like anything else to get really good at this you have to practice!

This could be the best homework ever!!

TEN TIPS FOR PRACTICING INDULGENCE:

Candles-many, many, many-just like in the pictures you see but never do for yourself, and make sure you get some fantastic scents!

Sweets-not too many-but very, very high quality ones-just because they are!

Music-your choice, your volume, listen to your fav over and over and over-drive them nuts!

Culture-visit the art gallery, see a play, a symphony, a concert
Books-spends too many hours in the book store-wander about for 1/2 hour and pick up anything that catches your eye, sink into the big comfy couch with a a dozen books and stack of magazines!

Hair-new style color, beg for an extra long shampooing, give yourself a hot oil treatment, or just hand brush your hair and scalp hundreds of times-mmmm.

Heat-how do you like it, hot pack, heater, steam room, whirlpool, sauna, hot shower, hot tub, have you tried the HAMAM at the Fort Garry?

Pyjama Day- self explanatory-my personal favorite!