The Secret To Cuing Others So They Treat You Well

I ran out of Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap today. 

Normally I would have gotten out of the shower. Made puddles. Found another bottle. Then spilled soap everywhere while trying to pry up the foil seal with wet hands. Cursed. Loudly. 

But not this morning! 

Past me noticed I was running low, and put a new bottle in the shower, even removing the foil so I would feel loved when the suds ran out. 

It was self-love, not planning ahead. I didn't just eliminate a bummer, I added joy to my day. 

I reminded myself that I was worth caring for. And if I feel worthy, I can better show up for others. Not to mention others take their cue on how to treat us by how we treat ourselves. 

Anticipate the needs of your future self. Send yourself love notes in your lunch box. Give yourself small tokens of affection. Only you know what small acts of devotion will warm your heart. 

Here's what I do: 

I always have flowers near me. They remind me of mono no aware (the fleetingness of things) and to enjoy each moment fully. They're also beautiful. 

I subscribe to The Daily Rumpus's Letters in the Mail. Each month a writer sends me a letter. Well-crafted prose. No response required. An indulgence! 

Poems-for-All.com sends me envelopes full of teeny booklets, each with an illustrated poem. I feel like the winner of a Cracker Jack prize lottery! 

Try it. You'll see what magic happens.