Natural Highs

I am currently enrolled in a fascinating class at my college all about Addictions and the various forms that they take. It is incredibly interesting, and today the professor had us go around the class talking about "natural highs." It really got me thinking, so here is a list of some that we came up with, along with help from the internet:

• Dancing
• Seeing a sunset
• Performing
• Runner's high
• Showering after being dirty for a while
• Walking out of your last final
• Finding out that the shirt you wanted to buy is on sale
• Texting someone to find out that they were just thinking about you!
• Letters in the mail
• Long-distance phone calls
• Surprise gifts from friends
• Getting an "A" on that paper
• A chocolate milkshake
• Getting a strike in bowling
• Seeing the Northern Lights
• Smelling cookies in the oven
• A hot shower
• Laughing so hard you cry, your face hurts, you can't breathe, but you still can't stop laughing
• Being in love
• Cuddling in front of the fireplace
• Compliments from strangers / those you love
• Random conversations with strangers
• Staying up until 4 in the morning talking to friends
• Winning that game you worked your butt off in
• Hugs
• Holding a puppy
• Pay day
• Seeing a shooting star
• Walking outside barefoot
• Hearing "you're beautiful" and believing it
• Reading for the heck of it
• Holding hands with someone special
• Naps in the sun
• Getting engaged
• Taking off in an airplane
• Helping someone
• Roller coasters
• Saying "I love you" and not needing to hear it back
• Seeing a beautiful rainbow
• The first day you can wear flip flops after a long winter
• The first snowfall
• Hearing birds sing in the morning
• Cuddling with your pets
• Laughing for no reason
• Skydiving
• Realizing how blessed you are
• Finding money in old birthday cards
• Having classes cancelled
• Singing loud and proud when no one's around
• Birthday cake
• S'mores at a campfire
• Overcoming a fear
• Checking off something on a list

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This isn't Exactly Social Anxiety, but . . . .

I have realized that my most joyful moments in life are when I am alone.

Taking advantage of the fact that most of my neighbors and fellow townspeople of Green Bay and surrounding areas are watching the Packers right now, I chose to talk the dog instead. We stepped outside into above 30 degree weather, a warm break from the frozen temperatures of only a week ago.

I was finally able to breathe freely. And relax. My brain slowed to a crawl and I appreciated the easy simplicity of animals. Just Morrie and I walking. His tongue lolled from his mouth as he trots to keep pace with me. I slow down. Now we are both walking and I appreciate my surroundings. The traffic noise is minimal. No cars in sight, which is unusual living so close to a highway. The only thing I can hear is a bird cawing if I strain my ears. Otherwise, the world is lovingly silent. The outside world has considerately traded its noises and distractions for the sounds of a television, which is A ok with me and my dog.

We take a quick walk down the road and turn back when we hit the highway.

Nothing spectacular, but that was ok. My brain slowed down and I was able to feel at peace for the first time all day, which was miraculous :)

Ever since I read one of Steve Pavlina's articles about hope (an incredible article), I had been feeling rather glum about my life and my choices. And that, combined with not a lot of sleep, makes for a rather unhappy me.

Nonetheless, the outside world has worked its magic on me, as it usually does, and I enjoyed my walk with my dog immensely. Alone at last, we rule the world!

P. S. We were very sorry to see the Packers lose, though.