Creating A Day Off

I began making a list this morning of activities that lift my spirit.  No surprise that music topped the list—listening, playing, writing, arranging—all do it.  Next would be learning—taking a course, becoming facile with a new technology, reading a book, even trying out a new recipe.  Any version of nesting—cleaning, scrubbing, arranging a drawer or closet work too—but only for short periods of time. Exercise too—a walk outside or on a treadmill, some quality time on an elliptical trainer, biking indoors or out.  Visiting with family and friends acts much like the cherry on top.

Looking over my list, I realize I have a perfect plan for how to spend this rare day off.

“The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.” — Carlos Castaneda

“Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water-bath is to the body.” —  Oliver Wendell Holmes

“That is happiness—to be dissolved into something complete and great.” — Willa Cather