Constructive Self-Indulgence

I've been sick these last few days and feeling very sorry for myself. In an attempt to practice Constructive Living, I "adapted" the following exercise (abbreviated from Constructive Living by David K. Reynolds). It consists of three tasks:

"1. The next time you feel depressed and unloved make something with your own hands for someone else

2. Write a letter to someone you care about when you are feeling abandoned or isolated. The letter should contain nothing at all about your current sad state. It should inquire about the other person's activities, it should mention your gratitude for specific things that person has done for you, and it should contain an apology for specific things you have done or failed to do in keeping the relationship close.

3. Pick a time when you have been sitting around feeling sorry for yourself, grab some big bags and set out to fill them with litter from your neighborhood.

Need I explain the purpose of these exercises? They aim to pull you into constructive, self-sacrificing activity just at the time when your feelings were pulling you into self-centered activity. "

So, not feeling too well, I decided to go with one task. I went out to buy something (strictly against the exercise) for the U.S. Troop care package that a group of my co-workers are putting together. Ultimately, it was really self-indulgent, because I went to one of my favorite book stores --Half Price Books.

I bought two of my favorite books and a CD to send overseas: Cordelia's Honor (by Lois McMaster Bujold), Ten Lb. Penalty (by Dick Francis) and A-Sides by Soundgarden (The Serene One is really rubbing off on me). I think I'll include a Meg Cabot book too. A lot of the recipients ask for "any books, except romance," but some chick lit is ok, I think. There are plenty of women over there.

I also bought two bookmarks which took me the longest. I had to wade through a lot of platitudes to get ones that I thought would be acceptable. I winced when I got to ones that said "Don't count your days, make your days count. "

These are the ones I got:


I'll go shopping for snacks for the care package this weekend. Slim Jims and hot sauce are high on the wish list.