By Dawn Onley

I have always loved a good bath. Hot, sudsy water. Soaking salts. Bath bombs. Silky oils. Aromatherapy teas. Candles.

Complete tranquility.

A delight to my senses. It has become such an indulgence for me that I go all out in treating myself to luxurious bath products and creating a true oasis, even if it’s just for a moment.

It gives me joy to look out the window and see a radiant bluebird perched on a limb.

For lunch, I love fixing myself a salad, filled with organic goodness, thankful in advance for the love I’m feeding my body and mind. Or hydrating with the pure, delicious taste of country well water.

I love that very first sip of coffee and the anticipation of trying out a new recipe. Or watching the splendor of the sky at sunset.

These are a few of the small joys that are part of my routine that make a big difference in the quality of my life. Things like noticing the new white buds on the neighbor’s tree that sprung up overnight or walking through aisles of plants and trees and shrubs to find the perfect colorful, deer-resistant plants for the yard.

We all have things that we do that we enjoy. The key is to stay in that moment as long as we can.

The dirty laundry can wait another day. We can clean the windows and dust later. Yes, it’s important that the children get their time with us, but it’s equally important that we save some time for ourselves to do the things that we love. To balance the monotony of the work grind.

Right now is the best time to read another chapter.

To sip on homemade lemonade.

To walk barefoot through the grass.

To thank God for making it through another week.