today is my mental health day.  for some reason, i could not force myself to look at brown clothes, which is what medium custody inmates wear.  minimum is green.  i think red is death row.  not sure what close custody wears, and hope to never find out.

but anyway, i had to take time away from it today.  the worst thing is, i don't even feel guilty.  let 'em do without me.

i was reading a book a while back called Hard Won Wisdom.  It's about women and careers, the obstacles they face...and they're considerable, even in the 21st century.  One of the women interviewed suggested mindfulness as a way of relaxing.  so i thought - no big deal.  i can live in the moment without thinking about other things.  but it's hard to do...a discipline, actually, that appears to take practice.

i can remember the last time i indulged in mindfulness.  it was at the beach.  i was on a blanket, and the sun was so warm and the sea was whispering like it does...and i lost myself in it.  of course, i got a terrible sunburn!  and that was another living in the moment, moment.  ouch.

today, i think i'll head to my picnic table in the back yard.  it's peaceful back there...the horses run and play or graze in the pasture beside me, and behind me is a wooded area.  and i think i'll practice mindfulness and contemplate a vacation.

try the mindfulness exercise and let me know how it works out for you.  were you able to live it?

by the way, i read another book - one of the best that's graced my eyes in a very long time, called The Kite Runner.  I swear, at the end, I wanted to stand up and cheer.  Had goosebumps up and down my arms.  if you haven't  read it yet, look for it!