Little Indulgences

Here are some of the suggestions on how to treat ourselves via Cynthia Macgregor’s book, Little Indulgences.

1. Write a poem about someone you love–your beloved, a close friend, a family member. As you write it, you’ll remember all the things that you love about that person, and why he or she is special to you. - I’ve done this so many times already and Ill keep on doing this:)\

2. Mark a memory. Sit at the computer or curl up with a notepad and a good pen and remember-in exquisite detail- one of the most wonderful things that’s ever happened to you. It could be your first kiss, your wedding day, a surprise birthday party that truly was a surprise. Dwell on how wonderful you felt then and feel those emotions returning now.

3. Go to a salon and have your eyebrows professionally shaped. — never done this yet but I’ve always wanted to. I shape my own brows and they’re not good, hehe:)

4. Start a gratitude notebook. (A small, inexpensive notebook you can carry in your bag works just as well as a fancy journal.) List all the things you are grateful for. Add to your notebook from time to time. And read it over when you feel like life is dealing you a nasty hand.–I always carry a notebook, a notepad or a journal in my bag. I write my daily sentiments in life. But then, it doesn’t need to be just a ’sentiment’ thing for me, yeah, I can make a space dedicated solely for showing gratitude.

5. Give yourself permission to procrastinate.– I do this, I think, everyday:)

6. Give some time to a charitable or other do-good effort. Be a ‘big sister’, teach an adult to read or simply stuff envelopes for a fund-raising drive for the local library or homeless shelter. By doing good for the others, you’ll feel good about yourself.– I’d like to try this but I always procrastinate. I don’t need someone to go along with me to be able to do this. I can try this alone–I’m trying to psyche myself hehe:)

7. Read the employment ads–and not just the ones pertaining to your current career, but every ad. Imagine yourself changing careers in midstream. What else would you like to do? Now, are any of these temptations actually feasible?–hmmmmmmmmmm….

8. Write a fan letter to your favorite singer, actress, writer, or other performer or artist. Don’t gush- say why you’re a fan, praising the person’s work honestly. Who knows- you might get a personal reply.– did this once though I didn’t get a personal reply..as if. hehe:)

9. The next time you visit your favorite restaurant, don’t order your favorite food. Order something new and different and daring!– Yeah, I might. I always order the same food over and over again. I’m not that very adventurous when it comes to food.

10. Go for a walk in the moonlight, away from the street lights, and enjoy the panoply of stars above. Watch carefully- you might be lucky and get to see a meteor.– always wanted to just walk under the moonlight, with someone special. When will I be able to do this? sigh.

11. Forgive someone.Decide for yourself whether or not to tell the person you’ve forgiven. Sometimes it’s enough just to privately forgive.– Yeah, I agree. But it’s still best to tell the person face to face that he or she is forgiven.

12. Go to a sidewalk cafe with a good friend or alone, enjoy a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or a bite of food, and people-watch as you eat or sip. — we do this a lot and it has always been a relief for me that we can indulge ourselves and be happy and content even by just sipping coffee or gossiping hehe:)

13. Cheer someone else up. Sometimes looking at the problems of others helps us put our own into perspective- and even if that doesn’t happen, you’ll feel better just for having made someone else happier.– very true!

14. Write a poem- any subject. The meter doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to ever show the poem to anyone. Just write it for your own pleasure.– this reminded me of Suby’s latest blog entry. You’re right there, Suby. Anyone who has a blog doesn’t have to conform to anything. It’s our own. We put into writing our private thoughts and nobody has to read it unless they want to, let’s write whatever we want to write.

15. Do something particularly nice for someone else. You’ll feel good, too.– so, so true! It’s an ecstatic feeling.

16. If you’re single, go on a blind date. –hehe, never tried this. Friends usually set me up for one but I always decline.

to be continued….