It All Started When I Stopped Using Lotion by Karen M.R. Townsend, Ph.D., Queen V Publishing, 2011.
I met Karen Townsend at the Ohio Women’s Conference earlier this year. We were both speaking at the event but, fortunately for me, we were on different panels. Whenever I’m asked to speak, I always try to take advantage of being present at the event. I talk to the vendors, I mingle with the other attendees, and I attend all the sessions I can fit in the day.
I had the good fortune of hearing Karen speak at one of the sessions about managing stress. Her candid storytelling and humor drew me in. I could definitely relate to the experiences she shared about living (surviving?) in the chaos of kids, career and community. I was fascinated as she went on to share her path from that chaos to the calm woman seated before us.
Karen invited attendees to stop at her booth for a moment and smell the roses. Yes, actual roses; she had a large bouquet of beautiful pink roses on the table. Of course, she engaged visitors in conversation, too. I learned that she wrote her book, It All Started When I Stopped Using Lotion, as a reminder to women and girls that we have to take care of ourselves. Stop and smell the roses is more than a colloquial saying to her, it is an important mantra for a happy life.
I bought the book.
It All Started When I Stopped Using Lotion begins with Karen sharing the life circumstances that led her to stop using lotion; skipping the basic self-care activities because she didn’t have time as she lived in a state of over-committed chaos. She then challenges us to think about our own lives; how to we use our time, what are our priorities, do we care for ourselves? After setting the stage, Karen presents the seven steps to restoring balance to life.
The delightful story-telling throughout the book reinforces what I knew about Karen the first time I heard her speak. She is an authentic, caring, smart and strong woman with important life lessons to offer. Reading her book is like sitting down with her over coffee and chatting. It is an opportunity for meaningful self-reflection, rooted in everyday ordinary events and how we handle them. Karen skillfully weaves tips for success throughout the book, such as a ten step, one page decision making guide or fifty-two ways to take care of yourself (#26 and #40!).
If you find yourself skipping the lotion after your shower – or maybe skipping the shower altogether – because you’re so busy, make yourself the priority for a change and read this little book! And, take your time doing it. Click here to order the book on Amazon. (Kindle subscribers can read the book for free.)
