Nothing keeps me in Zen mode like a day at a spa. It’s a rare indulgence for this frugal solo retiree and immigrant in Portugal. So I was thrilled when a friend here gifted me a spa day with the girls as a birthday present.
It was mid-April by the time scheduling was coordinated, and a day was booked at a restored 19th-century palace and Portugal National Landmark. Four of us set out on a sunny Sunday morning for the five-star Pestana Palace hotel and spa in Lisbon. It was a fabulous day of pampering, followed by an elegant late-afternoon tea and a bottle of bubbly.
I thought I’d close out the month of April with photos of the picturesque palace, sprinkled with some of my “Zententions” I reminded myself of while in my meditative Zen zone at the spa. Enjoy, and may this weekend find you in your place of peace, wherever that may be.
“I will see others’ unmet needs more than label, diagnose, or interpret their ‘flaws’.“
THG (thank you, Marshall Rosenberg and Nonviolent Communication)
“I will say yes more than no.”
THG
“I will listen more than talk. I will hear more than argue.”
THG
“I will be compassionate more than judgmental.”
THG
“I will be grateful more than wistful.”
THG
“I will be accepting (of myself and others) more than critical.”
THG
“I will believe more than doubt.”
THG
“I will give more than take.”
THG
I’m honored to have been featured recently on episodes of Blaxit Global and Portugal the Simple Life. Check them out here if you’d like.
All images are my own.
The Hot Goddess
Instagram: retired_rewired_inspired
If you enjoyed this please remember to Share, Like, Follow, Comment, Subscribe. (This is my “call to action” I’m supposed to include in every post. Thanks so much for your support!) ❤
Copyright ©️ 2021-2023 thehotgoddess.com. All rights reserved.
The Hot Goddess 
What a beautiful place…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it really is spectacular
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes please
LikeLiked by 1 person
😌💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and photos. The place is gorgeous. Glad you had a great time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I appreciate your reading and commenting 💜
LikeLike
Wow! What a beautiful place to spend a day. Glad you gave yourself permission to be happy.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too! It was a long time coming.
This place was amazing and such a treat. 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely spa relaxing, what a thoughtful gift. Great zen quotes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was such a wonderful gift! I’m grateful for the kindness of people here.❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the title (and the palace). Looks like you are becoming quite the celebrity in Portugal!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 😁Ha! No celebrities here…though I was instantly recognized week one as the only tall, Black, American woman who walks everywhere with a backpack and weird rainboots 😄.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful place and gift!!! I love spa visits. I try to go to one at least once per year.
Deb
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really was spectacular and an amazingly generous gift. How wonderful that you enjoy spa visits every year ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
It took me a while to get over the feeling I was being “lazy”, “self-indulgent”, “spoiled” etc., in treating myself to a spa visit…where did these thoughts arise from?!?! Anyways, thankfully they are gone now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Zentastic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love that, Brad! 💜 Yes, it was. 😌
LikeLiked by 1 person
How elegant
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a treat to see 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Talk about special! Soak in those special times, Natalie!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jane! 💜 I am soaking!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved the clips. Now that you are famous, you may be hanging out more often in elegant spas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! Thank you, Geoff, but now I’ll have to fight my way through the throng of two fans.
They’re both friends of mine, though, so maybe it won’t be that tough.
LikeLike
Zen and now — very clever, Natalie! I love “I will believe more than I will doubt.” That’s a good one. So glad you had a fabulous experience at such a beautiful place – thanks for sharing the pictures! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Wynne!💜 That intention is one of the harder ones for me, but being here is helping.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everything about this is gorgeous! I so want to be you when I grow up. 😁💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a special day and rare treat 💖. I’m still not grown-up enough to behave, though. I made us snort-laugh, loudly, during afternoon tea and in the “quiet” anteroom. 🤭
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can tell! Yes, I understand. I laughed at the thought of you reading that. Let’s never grow up (completely)! 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
💜😌
LikeLike
What a lovely piece! Awesome pictures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kaushal! 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Natalie. This is AHMAZING! Please keep these posts coming.
Also, this quote is a good one: “I will see others’ unmet needs more than label, diagnose, or interpret their ‘flaws’.”
It really made me stop and think. There is a difference in perspective here, and it can make a difference in how we approach one another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Kathy, that is so true. Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication really struck a chord with me and made me rethink my approach to several people in my life. But DOING this thing — seeing unmet needs — is SO HARD for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person