Find Your Bell

On Christmas Eve, our family received a new member. He’s now my 80 lb, furry German Shepherd son named Sully. He’s incredibly docile (unless you attempt to enter the yard or have the audacity to be in his line of sight while he’s inside his fence… then he appears to want you for lunch.) He’s soft and playful and loving.

He’s also very smart.

He rings a bell with his nose to indicate that he needs to go out. Most of the time, he rings the bell not because he needs to eliminate waste… he just needs relief.

He’ll ring it during the flurry of getting a meal to the table. He’ll ring it when he’s had enough “child-in-the-face” time. He’ll ring it when someone is crying and licking their face isn’t effective. He'll ring it when someone is being disciplined at high decibels. He’ll ring it if no one will play and he needs to run off some energy (he’s only 7 months, so that’s like a 3 ½ year old human kid.)

I need a bell. A bell I can ring when I need a moment.

I’m fairly certain I’d rather not sit on a snow-covered porch in -8 wind chill with my nose in the air, but a bell to ring and a place to retreat to would be divine.

I ask you, in 2009, will you make as space for yourself to go when you’re having a “bell moment?”

What place helps you refocus? What does it look like? Where is it located? How long would you stay? What permission do you need to let yourself be refreshed there if only for a moment? What’s scary about taking a moment for just you?

If you want to brainstorm your bell ideas and get solid accountability to make a new habit in service of your healthy spirit, contact me at Julie@julzoflife.com.

We’ll make it happen.

Wash to the Toes

I mentioned to a friend that today was "my day" to shower.

It's not like I'm truly limited on my bathtime... it just doesn't happen every day in the winter. For one, I air dry my hair, and let's face it, when it's 8 degrees and the windchill is 8 below, who wants a wet head?

Secondly, I have a million other more important things to do, right? Someone's yelling "mom!" or "honey!" and needs to know the location of a favorite sock or a library book.

Another friend described a mom shower as one that depends upon shampooing and a strong faith in gravity. By the time the lather reaches your toes, it's gotten it all, right? Get in, get out, get back on task.

Today I took a real shower. I washed, I exfoliated, I used that puffy scrubby thing, the pumice stone and even the pink star nail brush that I insist my kids use every shower. I washed to the toes, even pushing cuticles.

My feet feel wonderful (even while cloaked in wool socks). I smell good, fabulous even.

While I'm no Pig Pen, my self-care habits could sure use a bit of amping up this season. It's that whole airplane oxygen mask theory. You first, then secure the mask on others. That way, nobody collapses.

What have you treated yourself to lately? What would you include in your "cleanse" for 2009? What needs washing away? What fragrance do you choose for you life? Is it calming or envigorating?

Happy New Year, Treasure Hunters!

I'm actively seeking new treasure in 2009.

What does that mean??

I'm looking for the shiny stuff of life amongsth the rubble. Let's face it, there was a lot of rubble in 2008. (Many blessings, to be sure, but a LOT of rubble.)

Last year this time I was just starting The Chest. One of my initial posts in 2008 was about naming the year. "Julz on Fire" was 2009. Whew, be careful what you wish for! There were parts of me on fire that were never meant to be, I tell ya.

I was laughing with some colleagues about what to name 2009. Given my "exciting" year, they suggested "The Year of the Cleanse," but we settled on "The Year of the Colonic." I have been using the term "de-crap" in several facets of my life and the lives of others (drawers, closets, the pantry, the fridge, my schedule, a contact list). Anyway, however crude, it seemed appropriate.

Gently cleanse (dare I say, "flush?") and freshen up all the areas of my life so they may begin anew.

(Doesn't sound so bad put that way, does it?)

What do YOU want for 2009?

(Oh... I want one more thing! I want some treasure hunters! I know you're out there. Say it loudly, say it proudly! Click the button on the upper right corner of the sidebar and become a follower of The Chest!)