Right before December finals at Baylor, one of my favorite English professors (Dr. Wendy Allman, in case you know her) gave us a handout called Treats for the Soul, or something to that effect. Well acquainted with how stressful and busy life can be during finals time, she wanted to remind us of the value of being nice to yourself in small, realistic ways – indulgences, if you will. Suggestions included reading a poem just for fun, a special cup or tea or coffee, and taking a walk with a loved one. The point was to do something impractical simply because it made you happy. A treat for the soul strikes back at the stressors around us, reasserts control of our lives for a time, and helps keep us sane.

I got to apply this principle yesterday morning. I’d stopped at Einstein Brothers after work to pick up bagels for the staff at our apartment community. While there, I noticed that they were still selling candy-cane shaped bagels made from red and white pieces of twisted dough. I decided it was time to be nice to myself and bought two, one for myself and one for my wife, still hot from the oven. I also bought a pound of their wonderful vanilla hazelnut coffee. I’m normally on the practical side, especially in terms of spending money, but it felt good to do something nice for myself in the midst of a busy season.

Tell me, loyal readers, how do you like to treat yourself? A massage? A night away? A glass of wine and a hot bath? Curling up with a good book before bed? Post a comment so we can share ideas.