More Things to do . . . (Instead of Wiping Ourselves off the Planet)
1. Read the cartoon page, buy good funny books--I love Peanuts cartoons.
2. Make friends with the bookstore.
3. Enhance your relationship with your dog . . . or cat, parrot . . .
4. Shift your normal focus of interest. This is really good. So, if you are a writer, learn to do a watercolor, or to take good photographs, or join some group singing thing.
5. Join a meditation group.
6. Make your own chai-I have a simple award-winning recipe.
7. Put what bothers you on paper-keep writing your thoughts until they lose their steam, until they start to take on the ridiculous, until you are so sick of repeating the same thought on paper you start to think new thoughts. And guess what happens next . . .This is really good.
8. Share something of yourself with someone else. Write, visit . . . whatever. Do this as a practice even when not in a blue funk.
9. Take everything in baby steps. One small thing at a time. And then recognize that you have done something and pat yourself on the back. Take this seriously. This is really good.
10. Know that depression can quickly become something you own and unconsciously become comfortable with . . . don't let it go too long because the insidious thing sidles right into your chair and leaves no space for you. GET ANGRY AT IT! It is not who you are.
11. Don't set goals always slightly out of reach. Do the opposite. Be vigilant here. Self-flagellators especially be vigilant.