The feeling of the warm sun on your bare skin after you’ve been in the cold ocean. The excitement of your body warming up as you begin a run on a winter morning. The pleasure you get when you walk into your home and see the light of a candle and smell its scent on a cool fall afternoon. Crockpots, a fleece scarf wrapped around your neck, warm baked goods, steamy bubble bath, a fire in the fireplace — all things that bring a reaction, most of the time one of joy and comfort. Have you ever wondered why? Why are we drawn to warmth?
One day when I was feeling particularly cold — no, I don’t mean temperature, but rather being kind of bitchy. I wondered, was I, in fact, feeling harsh, or was the lady behind me in carpool that laid in on her horn truly a hag? Maybe it was me. “Perhaps I need more warmth in my life,” I thought to myself. I cannot control the moods of others, but I can control my own. So I headed out for a run, and, as it often happens, it dawned on me that I am someone, like many, who desires much love and warmth in my life. Many of us long for this – we are, after all, human. It’s in our nature to love and seek comfort. We desire “the light of God” to be with us. If you are more scientific in nature, you might say, “the light of the universe.”
The sun is part of us. We are indeed made of star. Read more about that HERE.
But here is the thing, that light is always in me and it is always in you, we just need to tap into it, be reminded of it. Wake it up, so to speak. We don’t have to wear a soft scarf around our neck, fire up the crockpot, or jump in a bubble bath to tap into our own personal well of light, but we do these things intuitively because it’s our nature to be drawn back to the fervency of God.
So the next time I feel myself being sucked into the darkness of someone else’s bad mood, instead of allowing that person to get inside my head, I can offer them a random act of kindness, and I can do the same for myself. I can go home and be a bitch to the people around me because someone else was rude, or can use that incident to bring comfort to myself and my family.
Here are some of my reminders to rekindle my true spirit, things I do to bring warmth and comfort into my life:
Bake something healthy: Smell is one of our strongest senses. Warm baked goods and the feel of the heat coming off of the oven can leave you feeling pretty happy. Recently I made these muffins Nourishing your body with whole foods is like being a good mother to yourself. If you’re not hungry, take your baked goods to the neighbor (Random Act of Kindness).
Get the crockpot out: The absence of light during the Fall and Winter months can leave you feeling down for no reason. Coming home after a hard day to a warm meal that is already finished is heavenly. For some healthy crockpot recipes look HERE
Wear a soft scarf– Lately, the Runfinity scarf has served as a reminder to comfort myself and those around me. It is made of French fleece and brings to mind a favorite snuggly sweatshirt I wore as a child. It keeps the cold air off my neck, and I can hide my face in it if I’m feeling shy. It’s like a grown up, very fashionable blankie.
Candles: I am slightly obsessed with Aquiesse candles, like these right HERE. Occasionally, I will find one at TJ Maxx and when I do, I feel like I won the lottery. The smell will transport you to paradise.
Warm Bath: There is nothing quite like the feeling of being surrounded by warm water, and as runners the magnesium found in epsom salt is a great way to speed recovery. I use Dr. Teal’s and at only $5.99 a bag, it’s a steal. Check it out HERE.
Sunbathe: Do you ever wonder why our pets love to find a sunny window and sleep? They’re made of star too. Curl up with a pet in a sunny spot and, if you are so inclined, take your shirt off. Sun feels better on bare skin and generates Vitamin D. Plus, everyone has access to the sun, not every day, but on certain days… and it’s free! Side note: If you’re going to be there for longer than 5 minutes, wear sunscreen.
Fireplace: It’s romantic, mesmerizing and, you guessed it, warm! Cuddle up with your love, pour a small glass of wine, and talk about the meaning of life. Need I say more?
Random Act of Kindness: Pay for someone’s coffee, leave a note on a friend’s car, bring your baked goods to the elderly neighbor. Any act of kindness will warm your heart and bring you closer to your true self.
As part of this post, Oiselle has done a random act of kindness (one of many they have done for me). They have given me a Runfinty scarf to give away to one of you! If you have never experienced their athletic clothing line for women, I highly encourage you to do so. They are a company run by women and their clothes are about fashion, quality, giving back, and wearing apparel that make a positive statement. As you can see by this post, my scarf is more than that, it’s a reminder to be kind, soft, and warm to myself and those around me. Here are some of the details about it:
“Oiselle’s exclusive heaven spun French Fleece is soft, warm fleecy goodness on one side and features a subtle feather design on the other. The ultimate throw-on-and-go accessory.”
– exclusive poly/cotton French Fleece
– ultra soft hand feel
– infinity scarf, runner style
– oiselle.com exclusive
– made in the USA
Enter to win the Runfinity Scarf below:
