Goose bumps
Goose bumps, also called goose flesh, goose pimples, chill bumps, chicken skin, funky spots, Dasler Bumps “chicken bumps” or the medical term cutis anserina, are the bumps on a person’s skin at the base of body hairs which may involuntarily develop when a person is cold or experiences strong emotions such as fear, awe, admiration or sexual arousal. The reflex of producing goose bumps is known as horripilation, piloerection, or the pilomotor reflex. It occurs not only in humans but also in many other mammals; a prominent example are porcupines, which raise their quills when threatened, or sea otters when they encounter sharks or other predators. — Info taken from Wikepedia
Have you ever experienced the sensation of goose bumps? For me, goose bumps are a sure sign that I am in a deep place of yes…that I am deeply and wholly moved by something…some bit of life that makes me shout with happiness for my beating heart.
The first time I remember experiencing goose bumps was in New York City. I was 12 years old and a Connecticut native and my parents had promised me a weekend in the Big Apple. And I happened to be a complete nut for Broadway musicals. There was nothing I loved more. I had a turn table and owned the sound tracks of all the major musicals and I, of course, had memorized every single line of music from every single musical! Nothing brought me more joy than sitting in my room and listening to Broadway music…over and over and over again.
So my parents got tickets to Cats and Les Miserables. And I can tell you…my world stopped during both of those musicals. I had goose bumps from head to toe throughout both productions. I wept. My hair felt like it was standing on end. I was in heaven.
I learned through the years after that experience that getting goose bumps is a great tool for bringing me closer to my best and right life. Certain activities bring the goose bumps out. I am still deeply moved by music. And I am still a sucker for Broadway musicals. I also apparently like stories about underdogs because I am covered in goose bumps during a feel good movie where the good guy triumphs over the bad guys in the end.
In the last couple years I have also come to realize that working as a wellness and weight loss coach and training many women to feel good and strong and empowered also gives me goose bumps. I can’t tell you the giddiness I feel when I experience goose bumps as a coach. I feel like I have hit the jackpot because it tells me that I have a visceral reaction to my work…finally I have found the right profession.
I tell you this because I think it’s important to do something every day that gives you goose bumps! It means you are doing something that brings you joy. And finding joy is a major component of feeling well and healthy. It’s nearly impossible to feel healthy if you do not have things that bring you joy in your life. I guarantee you that a struggle with your weight or finding the energy to exercise every day will begin to feel easier if you have at least one thing in your life that brings you complete joy and gives you goose bumps.
So tell me…what gives you goose bumps?
Great message Abbe, it’s amazing what your body tells you – all we have to do is list and respond accordingly. It’s enough to give you goose bumps:)
I mean “listen” – fat fingers
Talking to you! Listening to Martha. I get goosebumps more and more often and agree with every word you said.
Off to look for more of them….
Love to you…
I remember when you went on this trip and what a huge positive impact it had on you – in a way it planted a seed for where you were headed in your life: to do great big things that have made a huge positive impact for other people! I am so proud to be your sister, Abbe. xoxo
Thank you sweetest sister! You are so supportive of me and your support means the world to me! Plus, you were always my role model for how to incorporate exercise into my life…you led the way. So thank you!
You both have inspired me throughout my life – and being with you gives me goosebumps!
You are such a dear friend. I love you!
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