Bend Before You Break

Elizabeth Gilbert once shared with a reporter the following:

"There's a story about an Indian guru who came to America. He was talking to this very frazzled mess of a woman — I say that affectionately having been that person — and he said to her, 'What do you want for your life?' And she said, 'I want to help others.' He answered her, 'But you haven't even done that for yourself yet — how can you help anybody?'"

So true, so true.

Last week, I was blessed to have a conversation with a mentor of mine. Much of our discussion is still percolating; however, she said something I believe resonates with many of us, especially women. I speak personally when I say I give, give, give…until the well runs dry…because it usually does…and I don't typically stop in time to replenish, restore, and reflect. In our culture, "busy" is glorified, but what happens when we collapse physically, mentally, emotionally? And WHY is it so easy and even acceptable to overlook ourselves?

When the Universe only sees us giving, it provides us with more opportunity to give. Likewise, when we don't take personal time, we send a strong message that we don't love ourselves enough. This insight, while simple and seemingly obvious, landed on me squarely. "Ohhhh, NOW I get it." Like attracts like, and well, there you go. Perhaps this is why my "To Do" list never get shorter…

Her suggestion and my new ritual: a bath EVERY night. This bath is ideal for lifting spirits, balancing chi, and healing the soul.

2 cups Epsom salt

9 quarter-size pieces of orange peel from 9 oranges (1 piece per orange)

Fill tub halfway. Add orange peels and Epsom salt. Let it steep for 20 minutes before getting in.

Fill the rest of the tub, and soak for 20 minutes.

(You can use the peels 8 more times before discarding them. They lose potency with each bath so if you feel really depleted, you might consider using new oranges more frequently.)

As I soaked in the tub last night, I was listening to Brandi Carlile…and somewhere in the space of those 20-minutes, I heard her sing "Let it bend before it breaks." That moment was synchronicity at its finest. I am resolved to take "me, myself, and I" much more seriously moving forward…and I hope you do, too…for what better time of year than right now?