What do you do when you want to distract yourself

[CaliforniaPeggy]

from too much thinking?

How do you keep your mind busy and safe?

[Flaxbee]

1. I read.

And actually, one of the books I'm reading chronicles a woman's efforts to learn real meditation, a way to quiet the mind, and keep it, as you put it, safe.

I poo-pooed meditation for ages, but a sister who struggled with breast cancer says it saved her life, and I am hoping to learn how to meditate effectively.

Check this out from UCLA's Semel Institute, since you're in the neighborhood:
http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22&oTopID=22

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Flaxbee...

Reading is a good idea, but solitary...

I was thinking (I guess) of something that could involve someone else...a friend perhaps.

I'll check out the link; thanks!

I have a friend who states meditation saved her life...

[EndersDame]

3. Working out at the gym while listening to my Ipod is what I do when I am in my head too much

or go out and do something fun. I hope you get out of your head Ms. Peggy

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear EndersDame...

Working out with or without an iPod is a great idea...

I'm supposed to go to the gym tomorrow; maybe I will. It'll make my day kind of rushed, though...

I hope I can get out of my head too; thank you, sweetie...

[Heidi]

5. Help someone else.

I bet there's a non-profit in your part of California that would benefit from your enthusiasm for helping others, Peggy.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear Heidi!

And you know, you're right!

I have often lifted myself from whatever funk I've found myself in, by doing just that.

Thanks for reminding me...

[petersond]

7. A few things,

listen to music, read, or play guitar...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear petersond!

Ah, how lovely to see you tonight!

I've got the music tonight, as I do so many nights...right out of the computer...

And I'm playing solitaire while I surf DU...

You have good choices!

Thanks for sharing them...

[petersond]

9. No problem,

and sometimes I cruise DU to get my mind off of IRL issues, sometimes it works, sometimes it don't.

[madamesilverspurs]

10. Fishing.

Or if the weather's rotten, dig out my vinyl and listen to some old tunes. Oh, yeah.

---

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. My dear madamesilverspurs...

Well, now, that sounds like something fun...

Both of those, and very different they are too..

Old tunes can be very helpful...

Thanks!

[kentauros]

12. Why, will smoke come out of my ears if I think too much?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. My dear kentauros!

Oh, I hope not, sweetie!

It doesn't do that to me, even if I'm thinking hard!

[kentauros]

14. You can thank Uncle Fester for the visuals

Here, watch this and let your thoughts go (works best with headphones)

Harmonic Visions Cascade

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. Ah, that was lovely!

Too bad I'm not high!

Thanks, sweetie...

[kentauros]

16. Once you learn how to do overtone singing, you could join in

I listen to Jonathan Goldman's music a lot, though I first heard overtone singing from the David Hykes Harmonic Choir. It's a very interesting means of singing in that one person can harmonize with him or herself. It's a very unique sound. I could probably freak out someone who's high

Have a good evening calming your thoughts, Peggy
I'm going to bed...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. I'm much better now...

Thank you, sweetie...

Sweetest of dreams!

[SeattleGirl]

18. Different things work for me on different days.

Sometimes I'll throw a movie in the DVD that I find absorbing.

Sometimes I'll pick up a book I've been reading.

Sometimes I'll play Scrabble or another game on the computer.

Sometimes I'll go windowshopping.

Sometimes, though, none of those things work. Sometimes, I just have to ride it out.

Hope you are doing okay, dearest Peggy.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. My dear SeattleGirl!

Hey...

Those are all great ideas!

I'm riding it out.....with all of you good people here helping!

I'm OK...could be better...

I'll PM you in a few, OK?

[SeattleGirl]

22. I'll be looking for it

[Angel]

19. I clean like a mad woman

and listen to music. Nothing can clean out the mind along with the home like a good old fashioned spring cleaning. Even if it is fall. I find that while I am getting rid of what dirty spots are around that I concentrate so much on making it sparkle that my mind eases and forgets what had upset me in the first place and it all works out. Just remember that most of the things you worry about never happen.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. My dear Angel!

I hear that!

I've done stuff like that too...

There's nothing like having control over something when you can't have control over other things...

I'm hoping that what I'm worried about won't happen...too soon to tell, though...

Thanks, sweetie!

[proteus_lives]

23. Various.

iPod and a good walk.

Smoking.

Beard-trimming.

Re-organize my books and comics.

Post on DU.

Ponder survival tactics during a zombie apocalypse.

Endless arguing on comic book forums.

Light doze on the futon.

Trip to the library.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. My dear proteus_lives!

Now, most of those would work for me...

Can't do the smoking or beard trimming...

Sounds like you have it pretty well covered...

Thanks!

[cwydro]

25. Vigorous exercise.

Or serious gardening.

[cleveramerican]

26. look at the clouds...

listen to church bells

watch people walking by

listen to the wind or the rain


all of these are good for my soul