Taking my own advice...

A year or two ago, I started making what I call "smile lists". A mental health professional I heard speak mentioned that making a list of thinks that you're grateful for performs approximately the same change in brain chemistry as taking a mild dose of an anti-depressant.

And the thing is, it actually seems to work.

I'm feeling down today, so it's time to make a list of things that I'm grateful for - things that are making me smile today....

• a warm blanket to curl up under on my couch
• an email that radiates joy from a friend who has just arrived in Paris
• the prospect of possibly walking in the rain along Fish Creek later
• the photo of Paris on my living room wall
• an ongoing facebook conversation with a dear friend
• gifts to put in the mail for a variety of friends
• wool socks that aren't itchy
• "Here by the Water" on Steve Bell's Symphony Sessions album
• plans for a tea date with a friend tomorrow night
• a new book to read - the autobiography of George Muller
• plans to cook a nice dinner later today
• smoked gouda in my fridge

and with that, I think I'm going to make a phone call, and then head for Starbucks and the park.

Funny how that works...

I rolled out of bed about 45 minutes ago, kind of groaning at the prospect of going to my favorite place in the mountains, and hiking this morning... the warm bed was awfully enticing.

About 15 minutes ago I got a phone call, telling me the trip was up in the air because of some weather difficulties (it's raining a little bit at the moment - just sprinkling, but usually always worse in the mountains). And I'm really disappointed, which surprised me.

I really want out of the city today. If it doesn't happen, then I need to find time to get to a creek or river, and just be for a bit. Needing to see water - have this crazy idea from a friend that I possibly need to dip my toes in the water!

Feeling tired, and something about water and mountains always lets me meet with Jesus and be restored... could use that today, before heading back into the week.