Aaah, The Mindful Bath

   As Sarah Ban Breathnach so eloquently describes in her book Romancing The Ordinary: "Your hand grasps the chrome tap, and with one quick turn a waterfall of delight gushes into the porcelain tub. With only the slightest forethought or effort you have performed a divine conjuring act. In an instant, the elixir of life. Even today, incredulous millions around the world shake their heads with wonder at such a sight."

    Yes, the pouring of the bath is something we should not take for granted. It is also an equalizer; we all lie there naked awaiting a transformation of mind, body and spirit ~ no matter who we are or where we are in our life's journey. Queen Elizabeth is said to enjoy long baths with fragrant, homemade bath salts. My wish for her and all of us is to be mindful and embrace the relaxation that the warm bath can bring. The Queen, I suspect, might have a passing thought about the naming of her next grandchild as we, too, have passing thoughts. Being mindful is to put all those thoughts aside for twenty minutes and soak and feel and luxuriate. Keep pushing the thoughts aside and just be. Be mindful~ enjoy the scent, the warmth, your quiet mind. (Yes, you can do this!)

    My dear friend was kind enough to give me a few wonderful bday bathing gifts this past weekend. My first important tip if you have a porcelain or marble (aka. icey cold tub) is to run the hottest water for a few inches in the tub & let it sit and warm before you escape into paradise. Meanwhile, heat the room & prepare towels, robe, candles, to be ready for your exit. Drain & refill the tub now and enjoy an additive of your choice. I love my gift of Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt scented soaking salt in Soothe & Sleep Lavender (also provides the body with the much needed mineral magnesium). Or try Aveeno's Stress Relief Foaming Bath which moisturizes dry skin with soothing oatmeal. Whatever you choose, remember to also choose a time when you can be mindful & relax.

The Litmus Test ~ Drivers License Renewal Time!

   In one of the early seasons of Courtney Cox's TV show Cougar Town, her character Jules needs to renew her driver's license. She has managed for decades to outsmart the DMV and keep her picture (of younger self) from being changed. Well, her time was up & panic ensued for the remaining 24 minutes of the sitcom.

    So what is it about that driver's license photo that sends some of us to panic. Seriously, we look at it once it's handed to us & then never look again. We know there are quite a few better pictures taken of ourselves in the 4 years prior & since that fateful day, so why do we use that picture as a litmus test to how we are aging? I had mine renewed this month & it got me to thinking. That photo represents a four year marker; so here it is in front of me, then & now. Our reactions to our appearance range from mostly ugh to not as bad as I thought. So I propose a united effort for the new photo to stay the same as the old. The Dickens you say! That would mean aging would have to stop! We know that is impossible... or is it?

    So here are my top ten suggestions to cram for your next Litmus test (all things you've heard before from this blogger and well, everywhere): Hydrate all day long (water, tea, coffee), Exercise (150 minutes a week minimum), MOISTURIZE! (day & night - effective moisturizes don't have to break the bank), Eat right balancing healthy carbs, fats & proteins (choose proper portions with lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts & seeds), Laugh (it is the best medicine!), Sleep (try for 7 hours a night - naps are wonderful too!), Floss & Brush, Pursue a long desired hobby or bucket list item (keeps the spirit young), & Socialize often (with those amazing friends). Now number 10 is different. Studies now show that we actually stop aging for those minutes when we are using meditation, deep relaxation, prayer, yoga, deep breathing, etc. to calm our minds and bodies on a regular basis. Stress - bad, Meditation - good!

   So for your next DMV picture taking opportunity, first live a happy, healthy, joy filled life for the years prior (& then make an effort with the hair & makeup!) Then dare to compare! BTW - this blogger was totally happy with hers because I looked the same, and I think a bit wiser!