Pampering (continued)
by Shellie R. Warren

I'm sure some of you must be thinking that exercise is not what you would consider pampering. Well, I do because when I set aside time to make myself look better physically, I feel better all the way around, but for those of you who are not "feeling me", I have another example:

I know I am "the pot calling the kettle black" here in this next point, but it is still just as valid. Now that I pursue writing full-time, I have a network of friends who are in the same profession and seemingly regardless of what time of the night I am up on my PC, someone is up with me. A girlfriend of mine was online at 11:00pm her time and she was sharing with me how worn out she was and how her exhaustion was affecting her entire life from her work, to her marriage, to her children, to her overall self-esteem.

I felt like my mother when I said it, but my immediate response was "Okay, so why are you on this thing? Why don't you take a bubble bath?"

She agreed with me, but then went on to explain why she couldn't at the time---she talked about this for an additional 30 minutes. Almost as if she felt that it was a guilty pleasure. From how she was sounding, I believe it was a very necessary one.

I recently read an article which said that stress is America's #1 health problem. Then I came across a list which shared ways to combat it:

1) Change your scenery.

2) Start exercising.

3) Write it down (begin journaling).

4)Keep a good sense of humor.

5) Stop everything.

6) Take a walk.

7) Say no to what you don't have time to do.

8) Take care of taxing tasks in the morning to get them out of the way.

9) Devote three hours each week to you and you alone, and don't let anyone steal that time away.

10) Live for today. Don't dwell in the past for worry about the future. Live in the moment.

I would definitely say that a bubble bath addresses at least 5 out of the 10 options on this list. What the Enemy doesn't want us to know is that stress and envy are KILLING US. And it doesn't have to be that way.

Proverbs 14:30 tells us that "A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones."

The dictionary tells us that many of us are envious of others because we are discontent with who we are. The quote for today suggests that we want what is in another's yard because they appear to be doing a better job with there's than we are with our own. The Bible reminds us of the ritual many women of royalty partook in which centered around pampering and preparation and even Proverbs 27:9 admits that a little oil and perfume (modern day terms---a little "Bath and Body Works") makes one happy.

What other signs do you need?!?

If you want longer nails or longer hair, set appointments for a manicure and/or pedicure; give yourself hot oil treatments and massage your head every once in a while!

If you want a better body or clearer skin---exercise, steam your skin, eat your favorite fruits (no matter how exotic), set aside more time for sleeping and reading, rent your favorite movie and watch it---the reduction of stress does wonders for both...trust me!

If you want a certain article of clothing (get this), save your money until you can afford to get it and then take care of it when you do!

If you feel that you are always on the go---STOP. Believe me, the problems will wait until you get back. Go out on a date with your spouse or on the town with your "boys" or your "girls".

But with whatever you decide, stop "hating" on the people who caught on way before you did. Remember God is no respector of persons, so He does not think that one deserves more nurturing or pampering than the other. However, He like with everything else, He leaves the choice up to us.

In the meantime, don't be mad at people who have been making the right one all along. Just commit to a mind change---one that is open to caring for the spiritual, emotional and physical side of you! You'll be all the better for it.

And in the grand scheme of things, isn't that what serving God is all about? Being better for it?

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