Ramblings of A Lost Mind

GREAT WESTERN ROAD TRIP

Scenes from Oregon

Upper Klamath Lake, via Moore Park

View from outside my brother-in-law's place

Moore Park, Aerial View

What I Love in Life

I wanted to make this list to remind myself of what brings me joy. I try to make a concentrated effort to remember what makes me happy in life, and to identify and allow myself to enjoy happiness. This was my vow to myself after deciding to stop taking medications for depression. My belief is that we can reprogram the brain to do just about anything we want it to do, including overcoming the negative pathology that we label depressive disorders. When I feel down, I think about my favorite things, the reasons I love this life, the reasons God put me here, the things that bring me peace and open my heart to joy.
Of course, there are levels to everything. If you know me, you know it is never that simple. When I was thinking on how to organize this list, I decided I really need to explain the levels. It is one thing to know you like something, it is another to understand the level at which you love it best. I think you'll be able to follow me here with each category (alphabetical to avoid unintended preferential bias).
ANIMALS:
Good: Watching them
Better: Snuggling/Hugging/Petting/Loving them
Best: Knowing you are loved back by them
BOOKS
Good: reading an interesting book
Better: reading an interesting book that teaches you something, makes you laugh out loud, or makes you think
Best: reading an interesting book that teaches you something, makes you laugh out loud, or makes you think and then discussing it with a friend who has also read it and has some opinions that challenge or add to your impressions
BURRITOS
Good: homemade ground beef burritos
Better: Freebirds Chicken Burrito: whole wheat tortilla, refried beans, monterrey jack cheese, dark meat chicken, lots of BBQ sauce
Best: Eva's beef burrito dinner (covered in chili gravy and melted cheese) or Doneraki's Burritos Texas Style
CHILDREN
Good: smile or laugh of child
Better: Smile or laugh of your child
Best: Smile or laugh of child because of something you are doing together
CHURCH
Good: being in church and learning something meaningful
Better: being in church, learning something meaningful, and being surrounded by friends and family of faith
Best:being in church, learning something meaningful, being surrounded by friends and family of faith, really feeling God's presence and knowing that others feel it, too
DOGS
Good: petting a dog
Better: training a dog
Best: that "a-ha!" moment when they finally understand something you've been trying to teach them
FRIENDS
Good: being around friends
Better: Being around friends who really "get you"
Best: Being around friends who really "get you" and having an intense conversation about something inspiring
GEOCACHING
Good: going someplace to hunt for container or knowledge
Better: going someplace cool/beautiful/that you've never been to to hunt for interesting/noteworthy/creative container or answers to questions you never knew existed
Best: going someplace cool/beautiful/that you've never been to with some friends that you really enjoy to hunt for interesting/noteworthy/creative container full of trackable items or answer questions that teach you history/geography
HORSES
Good: being around them
Better: Riding
Best: Riding bareback
MONKEYS
Good: Watching them
Better: Watching them enjoy something
Best: Watching them enjoy something you gave them
MOUNTAINS
Good: seeing pictures or driving by mountains
Better: driving through, near mountains; Upper Cascades
Best: Driving up/on or hiking in mountains; Rockies
OCEANS
Good: being at the beach
Better: playing in the water or on the beach with someone whose company you truly enjoy
Best: Floating in the ocean with no cares in the world
Other Good Things:
Burgers
Chili con Queso