Character Confession: Thankful to Relax with Coffee Syrup as I Clean my Toilet

So, are you enjoying the thankful posts? The month is just getting started with more thankful thoughts from guest bloggers. If you missed the first four, stop right now and go back. They are amazing posts you don’t want to miss.

• Lee Carver’s Left-Legged Miracle
• April W. Gardner’s For Those Who Are Apart
• Becky Frame’s Thanking Abba Father
• Jennifer Slattery’s Romeo and the Fire in His Eyes

Saturday is when I share my character confession and how can I NOT be thankful? I’ve been married 15 years and counting. We have two great kids together and they are healthy. God provided above and beyond to attend my husband’s oldest daughter’s wedding to a wonderful young man. I love writing and that aspect of my life is in full bloom.

Part of my writing life?

Blogging.

Part of my blogging life?

Telling you what I think.

I belong to the SheSpeaks program where I express interest in available products. If I qualify they send me the product to try and then I let them know my thoughts. There are forums, discussions, surveys, Twitter parties—lots of ways to share.

Right now I’m trying out a Cerra experience, Scrubbing Bubbles program and Torani coffee syrup. The Torani kit came in the mail this week. I thought I was getting hotel sized sample syrups. Wrong! I have two giant tankers to enjoy. Stay tuned because I have vanilla and pumpkin pie flavors to blog about another time.

Today, though, I’m happy to share my thoughts on the Cerra experience. Cerra has various products designed to make you aware of your thoughts and feelings, act with thoughtful intention, and reflect on your experiences. My kit included items like hand lotion, journal, dissolving fragrant notes, tea, and creative sensory oil.

I love the concept of taking time out for yourself and re-creating. No matter what role I’m playing, breaks are necessary and I applaud when that message gets out there. These are all products that give a few minutes to step back and re-group. I have to force myself to pause, but I’m always glad when I do. That brief rest gives me energy and ideas to tackle the next thing. I think Cerra’s overall concept is a good one.

What isn’t so great about the concept is the conflicting message I felt they carry. For one, the products talk about taking care of the body and soul, great ideas, and yet the products contain man-made ingredients, not organic. One person in the forums didn’t see where the products are made of recyclable materials. I’m not a gung-ho go green person but I think we need to be responsible. What they promote and how they create their products seem like two different messages.

Speaking of messages, I was turned off by the “zen like” promotion they connected with these products. The name Cerra comes from the Roman goddess of agriculture. The Cerra boutique features items from the Rituals, Immerse, and Life collections. Products are grouped under themes like creative energy, loving kindness, courage, wisdom, inspiration, grounded, and gratitude. This is too new-agey for me.  The Cerra moments the website recommends include a joy breath and an om mantra. Again, too new age. If they at least offered in the details that you could adopt your lifestyle of prayer into the Cerra program, I’d feel better. But faith, true Biblical faith that guides my day is not mentioned in anything I researched in the products or site. I used the products as part of my quiet and devotional time but I admit, I would most likely not spend my money on a program that seems invested in new-age concepts and those alone.

When it came down to the actual products, the sensory oil was my favorite and one I would consider purchasing for the fragrance. It was flowery and a pleasant scent. I didn’t feel additional creative energy from it, nor did I expect to, but that was conclusion I felt we were to draw from the product detail. The dissolving notes were a unique idea, and the lotion was nice, too. I don’t drink tea but I understand why this would be included in a program designed for relaxation and me time. Like the forum discussions I agree the journal wouldn’t be anything I would buy because I have plenty already. Glancing at the products—soaps, journals, oil, etc…prices were between $7-12 on average.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to sample the Cerra experience. It forced me to take time for myself, something I do think is important. What I found as drawbacks were the conflicting message of taking care of self with such a nature/new-ageish push when the products were man-made and forcing a zen like experience that is not part of my core values, nor will it be.

I realize my beliefs aren’t everyones and that some people do find scents with themes a true experience for them. I think Cerra is worth checking out and seeing if there is anything that would fit your lifestyle. If nothing else, it’s encouraging women to recognize their need to relax and find inspiration.

To learn more, click here.

To buy products, click here.

To see what I mean about the different “moments”, click here.

Again, I’m enrolled in the SheSpeaks program. I receive products in exchange for honest review.

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