slowing down

This week has been going much better than last week did! Well, the pace of this week is much more manageable and I've been able to get a grip. I had a therapy appointment on Wednesday. I didn't feel like going and wanted to reschedule but I did go. It was a pretty good appointment. I am supposed to work on relaxation techniques such as closing my eyes for two minutes and imagining myself at the ocean. Also if I am not able to take time to close my eyes I should practice "half smiles". If you do this you will notice a furrowed brow smoothes out and I've been told that the action of furrowing your brow sends a message to your brain that something's wrong or negative. So by smoothing your brow out it should help lift your mood or refocus your attention on the positive rather than negative. My therapist said she'd read that your facial muscles communicate with your brain. I might have thought it would be your brain communicating with your face but I guess it's probably something like which came first, the chicken or egg principle.

She said she could see my face relax when I was talking about being near the ocean which truly is one of my favorite places in life to be. I think sitting near a lake will get a similar effect but there is absolutely nothing like the ocean. I miss it so much. I am thinking I will try to get a trip to San Francisco scheduled for September or October this year. It's been too long and as much as I am excited to see my friends, I am really looking forward to a trip to Ocean Beach. I'd also like to get out of the city and head up the coast too. I'd like the trip to be a solo one in which I can have time to myself to regroup and focus and get more in touch with who I am and who I want to be. Meditation of sorts.

I'm thrilled we have a long weekend as I am desperately in need of a day off. I've really been enjoying working in the yard since it's been warmer now. I get to be outside and do something active. Both are so good for my soul.