Giving in

Last night I finally gave into the general sense of malaise I've been hinting at for the last week or so, and let myself wallow in my own private pity party. I didn't try to accomplish anything, didn't try to talk myself out of being crabby or prescribe myself a healing gratitude list. Glen was at the gym, so I headed to bed alone as soon as I put Jack to bed, watched some really bad TV, read a little, ate some of the reject Easter-basket candy that JoEllen deemed not worthy of schlepping back to her mom's house. Mid-evening I ended up with a serious whopper of a migraine that I couldn't shake, and another one came on this morning.

I can't say how or whether my mini case of the blues and my headache were linked, although I've read that migraines and depression are sister conditions. Ever since the migraine lifted mid-afternoon, however, I've felt like a new person. And that calls for a little gratitude-ination:

91. Ah, no more headache — When I've had a doozy of a migraine and then it's suddenly gone, the world seems ten times better. My senses feel more alive, I'm full of energy, the possibilities seem endless, all is right with the world. If you've ever suffered from migraines, you know what I mean.



92. Drugs! — When I'm in the midst of a series of migraines, alternative treatments like acupuncture and massage have done wonders to get my body back on track. But for immediate relief, thank God for generic Excedrin, my little silver bullet in a bottle.



93. Chubby baby cheeks — Jack's cheeks are so deliciously chubby that I barely restrain myself from snacking on them between meals. Even when you're looking at the back of his head, you can tell if he's smiling because those big ol' cheeks peek out from behind his curls. He's not smiling in this pic, but his cheeks also go all giant when he's CONCENTRATING. REALLY. HARD.

Comments

[Renee]

I understand the migraine-lifting feeling, although it sounds like you've had to deal with more of them than me. Hope they stay away from you for a while. That said, I ordered "The Four Agreements" (among others) as you listed on your blog, and read it while I was on vacation last week. I've read many self-help books over the years, but this one, I think and hope, will really stick with me. The agreements are presented in such a simple and practical way...I can easily recall them (like I said, simple) and apply them to my life (practical). Specifically, the first two agreements resonate strongly with me, and give me some insight on how to deal with the "people pleasing" behaviors that have confounded me for the last 38 (gulp) years. I'm keeping the last few pages bookmarked and on my bedside table as a daily reference, just to remind myself of where I'm headed... And, while I know you won't take this personally:) I thought I should thank you once more for putting yourself out there in your blog. Especially on this dreary, cold, wet, AND snowy Iowa day.
P.S. Ordered a new laptop yesterday! Woohoo!