Two weeks ago while vacationing in Hawaii I literally came to my senses.

It was one of those evenings when the moon hovered full and luminous, painting the harbor with a silver brush stroke. I sat on the lanai with my husband and two friends, enjoying the view and the cool breeze that kissed my forehead. A friend was playing the guitar and singing. In between songs we laughed and told jokes and every now and then just sighed as if life couldn’t get any better than this.

My husband had just bought some new lavender and eucalyptus massage oil. Now, for those of you who’ve never had Carl massage your feet (which is probably most of you), let me tell you, Carl is a master in the foot rubbing arts. When he offered to massage my feet, well hey, I’m not stupid.

Ahhh . . . My feet melted into his hands . . . The sweet aromas of lavender and eucalyptus made for a heady mix. The gentle strumming of the guitar sang through every wistful part of me. I looked out at the moon, the shimmering waters and the palm trees swaying in the breeze, and felt a giggle coming out of nowhere. I said, “All I need now is a piece of chocolate.”

Lo and behold.

Ask and ye shall receive.

I’d forgotten that as part of our welcome basket at the condo, we’d received a box of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts! Woo-hoo! In two shakes my other friend fetched the chocolates, unwrapped the cellophane, yanked off the lid, and Oh. My. Gosh. I was almost too giggly to enjoy the finer points, but I did manage. I lay back and let it all wash over me.

In our hectic lives, both treats and retreats are hard to come by; at least I know they are for me. It’s tough to sit still and watch the sunset, or even to realize that the sun is setting. It’s a challenge to remember to taste our food as we bolt it down. Instead of waking up to the twitter of birds, we are jolted awake by the morning traffic report. The delicacy of our senses seems to cower in the onslaught of everyday life.

This week I challenge each of you to come to your senses. Turn off the radio in the car and instead, just listen. Take a walk in the rain. Savor that piece of extra dark chocolate. And if you feel like writing me about your experience, that would be fine too.