My list - AKA Homework from Redhead

I am so glad to have this to do right now. I wrote in my journal (similar process but more private) about other emotional hot spots that I've been working through lately on my way in to work.

Though I didn't get it all out, I got a lot of it out. So, I'm on my way to the upward swing, but I'm not feeling it yet.

There's another bit that I didn't say in my last post about my physical well-being. Because of this chronic yeast infection, I've stopped taking the pill. From what I read, hormones increase the likelihood for the cycle to continue - so I quit several months ago. That means that D and I are now using condoms.

Well, twice in the last four weeks, they've slipped. And because we don't want to get pregnant just before getting married, I've taken the morning after pill each time. (I've told him that I won't ever do it again.) The hormonal surge has seen me have three complete periods in four weeks. I suspect that I'm still swimming through the wake of the last dose, which was about ten days ago. I am guessing that I'm having a mini post-partum depression, minus the stretch marks and sleepless nights.

Redhead suggested going to a naturopath. I've been thinking of going to an acupuncturist and/or Chinese medicine doctor. So, yes - we're on the same page. I have Kaiser. Though they have a lot of ads about alternative medicine, I haven't tried to capitalize on their services yet. We'll see what happens with that. I'm open to anything.

Ok, now for my homework.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

* Talking to good friends who know me and love me
* Walking on a warm, sunny day
* Photographing flowers & bees
* Watching smiling dogs
* Getting a massage
* Getting a manicure/pedicure (AKA the paws & claws)
* Cuddling with D
* Dancing with my friends
* Accomplishing something that has a lasting positive effect in my life or the world (like planting a tree or having a photo published)
* Doing a full 80 minutes of yoga
* Picking blackberries
* Reading Buddhist books/texts
* Listing the things that I am grateful for (and realizing how privileged I am)
* Watching fireworks
* Eating toast

The next part of my assignment is to do one of these things. I think that I am going to book a massage because it will help me with the physical issues I'm having as well as allow me to release my stress. I am also going to do yoga tomorrow - maybe not 80 minutes - before I go to work.

I love you Redhead. Thank you for being here.