a mental health day

I took the day off today. Slept in a little, had my car inspected, walked Lucy and had lunch with a dear old friend. Got a mani-pedi and am now parked at Progress doing some reading and writing. Today, it has been three years since I had a nervous breakdown and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It seems like that was three thousand years ago.

To me, today, enlightenment is knowing (remembering) that we are free. We are already whole and wonderful. We must keep in touch with this wholeness, this wonder, by being who we are -- doing things that feed our soul, owning things that have meaning, and letting go of all the rest (the fear, jealousy, bitterness, victimization, hatred, regret, et cetera).

The things that feed me are yoga, meditation, writing, reading, big gulps of fresh air, sailing with my dad, watching old movies with my mom, long conversations with close friends. What are they for you? What would you do if you were on vacation in your own town? Do that, then, every day, or as often as possible. You, after all, are the boss. The choices you make, the actions you take, they all pile up to form this blessed life. Just be you -- it's all that's expected!