Happiness Project Day 92: Feeling Solid

Today's bit of happiness didn't come from thing or an event, directly. It's more of a feeling that comes more from the knowledge that the older I get, the more sure I am in my beliefs. I've become stronger and less afraid of other people's (possible) disapproval of me.

Maggie Kuhn said "Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes." This is getting easier and easier to do. I am speaking more, and my voice is shaking less these days.

Part of this is from getting older, it's true. In some ways life really does begin at forty. But this sureness of self also comes from introspection, solitude, having a rich creative life, and writing. I write to explore my inner world. I write to figure out who I am, what I want, and who I want to be. And I write to just get the thoughts and ideas out of my head.

Above is a picture of my writing... several layers of it. Seeing it like that makes me realize that is how my brain feels sometimes before I write: a jumbled mess! Then I pour the words from my brain onto the paper and I feel so much better.

So, I'm happy to have writing as one of my outlets, and I'm happy to feel solid in my beliefs. My foundation feels strong.

Happiness Project Day 75: Acupuncture

Yep, that's me!

Who would have thought that having needles stuck into them could be such a blissful experience? Certainly not me. But that's exactly how I feel when I go to my acupuncture appointments.

I'm not sure if everyone has this experience, or if it's just me. (I've never heard anyone talk about this but it's hard to believe that it's uncommon.) I go into a deep state of relaxation when I'm in that chair. Not necessarily sleep... it's more like a meditation state. And when I'm done I feel incredibly revived and refreshed and blissed out. It's like taking a nice long nap. I leave there happy and ready to face the world. (And the big question: Is it helping the issues that brought me there? Yes, yes it is. I'm seeing results.)

In addition to all this, it's really wonderful doing something for me. Something that is good for me. Caring for my self. 

Me again. Arm, this time.

If you're in the Denver metro area, I highly recommend Meeting Point Acupuncture: http://meetingpointacupuncture.com 

They're on Broadway just south of Virginia, and they charge on a sliding scale: $20-$40. Amazing. 

Yep, getting poked with needles made me very happy today. :)

For Those of Us Who Have a Hard Time Stopping

Doing nothing is so underrated. I'm not talking about watching tv or simply being lazy. I mean just completely, deliberately doing nothing. Most of us have a hard time shutting our brains down, which is exactly why we need to do it from time to time. Clear it out and stop the chatter.

My artist friends, yoga peeps and Eastern thinkers know what I'm talking about. But.. that doesn't mean that we always do it. I KNOW that I'd be better off if I just wold take some quiet time every day. Meditation, sitting in the sun...whatever. But do I do it? Um... I take about as much time out to meditate as I do to work out - hardly any. Meditating is to the mind and the soul what working out is to the body.  We need self care, people!!

On that note, I encourage you to go to http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/ This is another site I found through stumbleupon.com. The url says it all: do nothing for 2 minutes. It's nice. Do it. Do it now. But first... lock your door, put up a "Do Not Disturb" sign, or connect your headphones to your computer. Whatever it takes to steal just 2 minutes for yourself. You can spare TWO minutes, right? Two undisturbed minutes for a mini-vacation... You deserve at LEAST two minutes!