Great job in listening to your body and following through.

Enjoy your time off.

As for the MORE FUN, LESS SLEEP idea. I always thought that was great too. Then I discovered how important sleep is for my mood and general JOY OF LIFE! Now I sleep reasonable hours when possible because I’m more effective, happier, and better adjusted/balanced if I’ve had enough sleep.

And don’t get me wrong, I am absolutely forbidden to turn off the Internet to the house; I just turn off the airport connection to my laptop. Mrs. Unfocused would throw things at me if I unplugged the cable modem.

@ Barbara: I’m still trying to figure out the WordPress post date feature. I’m sure it works and I’ve been meaning to trail it but I’m always afraid it will just publish everything when I don’t want it to. (Can’t tell I’m a control freak can you?)

The real trick to this method is to write extra when creativity strikes. That’s a habit I’ve yet to master in form.

@ WillieBee: I love your idea of balance, Willie. You’re right, these days it’s more about finding the right way to stay in motion rather than remaining in stasis so as not to offset the perfection of our axis. Alas, living on that teeter totter is stressful, sometimes I’m glad I brought my parachute so I can just jump off for a break.

@ LaskiGal: HEY! I’m a ‘Gosh’ kind of girl too. Whenever I use it in an email it gets the response, “Who says gosh any more?” Well… I DO! *chuckles* Balance is a buzz word around my home at the moment too.

@ Arachne: I love your outlook, Arachne. “Being off-balance is what gives you a different perspective.” I’ve never really considered this aspect.

After living all these years with BiPolar I’ve gone the other extreme. I NEED that stability of schedules and portion control. I don’t force my life or constrict it because you really do just have to go with the flow sometimes but I always feel safer, and accomplish so much more, when I follow specific patterns and create a sense of order in day to day chaos.

@ Marianne: Thanks Marianne.

@ Unfocused Me: Turning off the internet isn’t an option for me. I’m plugged into my phone line. If I shut it down my heart stops. Having said that, sometimes I do disappear with my laptop to avoid the online distractions.

If you’re falling asleep during meditation (and on planes, in the dentist’s chair, etc.) then it’s probably because you NEED MORE SLEEP! Perhaps meditation would be a great hobby to take up. If you set an alarm you could ‘meditate’ for an hour and feel refreshed and alert when you wake up.

@ Gillian: I eat chocolate too, Gillian. My hips wish I didn’t however so I try not to resort to the comfort food too often. It’s hard to get over the binge eating aspect of emotional downs. I’ve also found the endorphins chocolate provides can create a nasty bounce once it’s out of my system.

@ Polenth: You’re right, Polenth. I wonder what the secret is to feeling centered ALL the time. Perhaps it is in finding a center within our core. If our inner center is always stable and solid then lifes earthquakes could never shake that inner foundation.

@ Colby: I’ve found that water-based routines are idea churners for me too. In the shower or washing dishes. Any time my hands are wet I’m filled with ideas and an urge to write them down. When, oh when, will they invent waterproof pens and paper?

@ Kelly: I think it’s vital to “step away and clear my head” from time to time. Sometimes this excuse IS just another procrastination but I’ve found it helps to allow myself to register what is causing my desire to do everything else. Acknowledging the fear or the frustration is often enough to put it aside and get back to work.