What makes you feel good?
 

Kendra's post made me think about what all of us do to make us happy or stress-free when we are down. We sure could all use some suggestions on that from time to time.

This is from Oprah's first day back last week. It's contagious and I can't watch it without a huge smile on my face. Music usually pulls me out of the disease dump.

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahsh...lash-mob-dance

And then there are computer games. They are very addictive and can make your arm go numb! But they are a distraction and can help a bit. Those with eye problems may not like these though!

http://www.abcarcade.com/bubble-shooter.html

http://www.abcarcade.com/bomboozle.html

Now, this is a "PG" post, although if Dr. Oz can talk about non-PG stuff on TV . . .

Talking to family or friends helps too. And, for me, designing when I can or writing always helps. And I know this is going to sound nerd-ish but I love to read anything health-related. ;)

Thanks for asking for help, Kendra. We can all use ideas when we are having a tough time.

Annie

I loved the Oprah video too! Also, for me a day without music is like a day without sunshine. I'm an avid reader when my eyes allow. I also enjoy playing computer games even at the age of 57. My current favorite I recently installed is Zuma Deluxe. My husband, myself, several friends and cousins have an online tournament going on. If my eyes start bothering me, I just back off for a couple of days. It's a lot of fun and it's great for your hand eye coordination. Our last tournament that went on for months was playing Bejeweled Deluxe. These are inexpensive ways to have fun with friends & family members or just by myself. A few things I enjoy doing.:D

Pat

I'm with you Pat - I love Word Garden (computer game) for really slow days. I also have become hooked on info about the stock market, economy....financial stuff (funny cause I always hated all that before, but now I just find it fascinating! The way they fib is so amusing!). On any day, inviting the dog up on the bed for a 'cat' nap is a relaxing pleasure. She always knows whatever I am feeling and adjusts her day accordingly.

Sue

I love having my niece over for the day.
We go shopping and buy all we need to cook lunch, after she has decided what she wants, and amazingly its usually potato pie, full of vegies!!!
We also usually make biscuits or muffins.
We both have a ball.
I also love to go bushwalking, with my sister and her two dogs, if its wildflower season I take my camera and capture thier beauty.
On my bad days I love doing crosswords, or reading, or watching a good movie.

lol. for me, i love chatting with people, and reading. Its always nice to snuggle in bed with a book when I'm tired and yet cant sleep. I also love to lay by the beach (gosh been ages since I've done that), or just watch videos on the internet. I also love drawing, and talking. OOOOOh. And computer games are my fav. Lol. I love those that only need clicking cos typing wears me out. Tho after a while, my index finger freezes and I know its time to stop. Perhaps we can all have an online tournament? hahahaha.

Law and Order reruns.

Thanks Annie for the great post. I am really feeling everything today so it is not one of my best days. I try and use "positive thoughts" to pull me up but sometimes I need a "sweet treat" and some good music to help me along. I really like to watch Oprah too!

what makes you feel good?
 

Annie,
What a fun post!!! I have enjoyed reading all the input from the others. I LOVE Oprah too! She is such an inspiration to me and has made a difference in my life for years with her wisdom. Her shows are so uplifting unlike alot of the trash TV that is so popular right now. I am a huge reader! Unfortunately with the Ptosis I can't read as much as I used too but am planning to go to the library and see if I can find some books in large print. I also enjoy walking and cooking, baking is my specialty. Of course my dogs are great therapy and relaxation for me. They seem to sense the way I feel before I do sometimes and nothing is better than one of them curling up beside me. I see others agree with your video game idea!!! I am definitely going to check those out. I'm thinking Word Garden would be right up my alley.
Kendra

What a GREAT idea!
 

Hey Sue,

I'm not familiar with Word Garden. The games I mentioned are just fun, fast paced and require little thinking. When I play by myself I like a much slower paced game. I recently finshed one of Sherlock Holmes mysteries and Mysterious Island. I've just started Murder On The Orient Express and am trying to get the hang of having to use the keyboard instead of just the mouse. A fun game when we have friends & family over is a dice game called LCR. We use quarters instead of chips to make it more interesting. I'm going to check out your game, thanks.

Hey, guys. I have been very depressed lately. There's so much stress in my life that my usual and very good coping skills weren't cutting it. When I saw that Oprah show last week, I was reminded of how much I miss so many things. I miss dancing, something I did all the time (jazz, line, tap or just going to clubs). I miss doing things with people. I miss live music. I miss having over-the-top, joyous fun!!! And I miss WORKING!!!!

But that song/dance made me feel so damn good just watching it. Maybe that's enough now; to do the smaller versions of what I love. We all deserve to have stress-free moments within all we going through.

Pat, I don't know about the games you mentioned but I'll definitely look into them. I'm with Connie, I like the ones where I use one finger to shoot things. The other ones are too hard. My hand actually wouldn't work after a stressful day when I played Bubble Shooter.

Sue, I don't know Word Garden. Do you have a link? I absolutely love a snuggle with my pet, a shih tzu, too. Pets are wonderful.

Redtail, You will have to forgive me, your name escapes me at the moment. I hate when I can't remember everyone's name. Bushwalking, eh? Sounds exhausting. When my nieces were young (all grown up now), I loved to spend time with them too.

Connie, What kind of drawing do you do? I am a designer and love to draw but can't really do much anymore.

Miss Gomes, I'm a Leverage fan. And Closer. I don't know why I never got into Law & Order.

Rezmommy, Again, sorry about the name thing. I swear, I'm feeling so old lately. Yes, chocolate is about the best thing. Dark chocolate for me.

Kendra, It was you who inspired me to do this. You're having such a tough time right now. I love to read too but can't hold the books anymore! ;)

Erin, I love old movies too! What are some of your favorites?

I forgot about food. A good italian dish will make me very happy! With gluten free pasta though.

I like all these ideas. Keep 'em coming!

Annie, Both the games I mentioned only take one finger. Zuma Deluxe is a fun fast paced game where you shoot different colored balls into a chain of balls. Hard to explain, but check it out. It starts out slow and the better you get the faster it gets. In Bejeweled 2 Deluxe you only need one finger also, and you have the option of playing a timed game or a regular game. Warning, they both can be very addiciting!:D This is fun, thanks so much for starting it!;)

Big Hugs,
Pat

wow
 

I love all these things too. I'm with Annie, are there any links? Lol...

Annie: Your first link kept me busy for a while. Haha... Hate it when the all jam up. Addictiveeee. When I'm depressed, I watch comedies. Lol. The sillier they are, the nicer it is. Or sweet shows. Shows that warm me up. Or... I ramble it out! Then I feel better. A great big hug for u Annie! We don't get to see Oprah here, so sighhhh I cant watch that. I draw basically anything. I love drawing scenery and people, cartoons too. You?

Sue: Yes. I love my dog to bits too. Love it when he lays his head on my thigh. Haha...

Oooh. And I love cooking and baking. Its just so much fun. Except that I can only giv instructions now. Lol. All the stirring and folding in eats me up.

Here's the link for Wild World Garden....really fun. Will be checking out some to the other point and shoot games. I love those too!!

http://games.yahoo.com/free-games/wild-word-garden

Sue

Hey All,

There's a website called Big Fish Games where you can buy games. I don't advise it, but if you do you have to cancel right after you get your 3 games, or your charge card will be billed every month for 3 more. However, I'm not sure if you have to buy anything or not to try games. They let you download a portion of a game to see if you like it or not. Might be worth checking into. We buy are games second hand for about $5.00. Except the one I'm currently playing, Murder On The Orient Express, my son gave me for my B'day. Good luck and happy gaming!:D

Hugs,
Pat

After reading all your posts about things that make you happy or feel better when you're down, it makes me realize how much I miss everyone when I am not on for a while. Right now I am enjoying NCIS reruns. I haven't tried the computer games but I will give that a try. I also love chocolate. One of my favorite things is Hot Fudge Cake from Shoney's. I'd love to have one right now. That would make me very happy! I think my daughter and I will go get one right now! Hope everyone has a great evening!

ckitty

Lizzie, Since you're a Doris fan, like I am, then you've probably seen The Glass Bottom Boat. You have to be in the right, childish frame of mind but it is so silly and funny. I'm glad someone else gets off on birds like I do. I almost feel silly talking about it. We have bird feeders in our backyard, including a hummingbird feeder. And if you want to attract baltimore orioles, put out a tupperware cover on a deck railing, or anywhere else, and put a teaspoon of grape jelly in it! They usually come in the spring and late summer/fall.

If anyone likes English humor (as in England, as in Rach's country), you'd love the movie Cold Comfort Farm. It's hysterical!

Thanks for the link, Sue.

Pat, I don't think I'd buy any games. If they're not free, forget it. ;)

Ckitty, It seems a lot of us like the "figure it out" shows, like NCIS, L&W, Leverage, etc. And CHOCOLATE!!!! :cool:

I wish I could volunteer somewhere but I don't have the energy for it. That always made me feel good. I have a Mac and they have these audio built-ins in iMovie. There's one of a sitcom laugh track. I break out laughing every time I hear it.

Thanks guys. I think people who have an illness have to try harder than those who don't to be happy. Or maybe, just maybe, we are happier because we have an illness and appreciate life more. :grouphug:

Annie

Great post Annie !
Mine are ........ This site,just recently am involved in Mafia Wars game on facebook (lol), I am with Erin, just being thankful for the gift of doing everyday things !

Enjoy Life
 

Annie, what a great idea...reading everyones thoughts made me feel good and I smiled. Having something to enjoy is so important…here are some of my thoughts.

Things I miss: Live music of any kind, I love love love music. Staying up really late reading or writing, my eyes won't do it anymore even if I have the energy to stay awake (those late hours are wonderful for creativity and the unconscious mind). Going on all day hikes in the hottest weather, it is only me and nature and nothing is better than nature for me. I miss loud music that makes me want to dance and sing (now it makes me feel sad that I can't do these things so I listen to calmer music). Volunteering (maybe I will do this again).

Things I like to do now with MG: Looking at flowers, taking photos of flowers, drawing abstract versions of flowers (I have a link to a preview of my “published book" and some of my photos…I will put the links at the end of my message if anyone is interested in looking), talking about plants and teaching people about plants…, writing, working, playing computer games with my kids (we play runescape at runescape.com), Boston Legal and NCIS on TV), I love to read and learn. I love watching the sunrise and the sunset too, those special times when all the world is golden. I enjoy all the little things in life, a hug or a smile from my kids or husband, a pretty flower/bird/insect/etc (all living things seem to have something to say so I listen to them), dreams…so much more but out of energy to continue typing.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and ideas, please keep going. The sharing is great. I am new here and this place is great!


Some of my favorite things are here:
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/637539
http://www.flickr.com/photos/flower_of_the_desert/
:D

You guys have probably already seen this video too. It may be what inspired the Oprah dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k

Susan, Thanks for those links! I love Tecomaria. Georgia O'Keeffe was the artist I centered my Masters thesis around, though not the only one. Those pics remind me of her paintings.

Nature calms my spirit too. Nothing else does it like that. My two favorite places in our country are the Badlands and Pyramid Lake in Nevada, outside of Reno. I'll probably never get back to either again. I know it sounds weird to say that the Badlands calm me but there is such a sense of tranquility there.

http://www.nevadaweb.com/cnt/r-t/pyramid/
http://plpt.nsn.us/

Annie

Susan,
What beautiful pictures! Thanks for posting the links...very unusual and unique shots.
Sue

Facebook?
 

I'm not sure if anyone here has facebook accounts, theres lots of free games inside?? I found out about neurotalk from fb actually.. Someone gave a link there and I clicked it and fell in love with all of you.

If you do have, add me!! My name is connie sun. I'm wearing a cap and a pink top in the photo. lol.....

Annie, for only $5 and the hours & hours of fun we've had, it was worth every penny!;)

One of my favorite funny movies is the original Out Of Towners...always makes me laugh!

For light TV watching...my favorite show is The Amazing Race followed by Survivor which starts tonight.

I love feeding the birds too. I have four feeders in the tree and yard. There are 6 squirrels I feed peanuts to every morning...4 eat out of my hand. I've been doing this here for over 40 years. I feed the birds and squirrels all winter when they really need the food the most. I have a 16 year old indoor kitty who finds this all very amusing.

Thanks everyone for sharing!:)

Pat

HI Connie!
 

I must be very shallow:( tv shows, books,I dont play video games, nothing like this makes me feel good.Although I did do some singing to the beatles rock band last week.


things that make me feel good, lets see.....
(not in any particular order)
Watching my children grow into fine, hardworking, educated adults.
Eating as much 7 layer chocolate cake as I want.
Finishing a piece a of furniture I made for someone close to me and seeing their expression when I present it to them
Getting close to my wife when shes (cough, cough), uh, I wont go into this one, but it makes me real happy.Thankgod MG doesnt kill everything for me.
Sitting outside under cover in a thunderstorm.
Eating green pickles out of a barrel(dont know why, I feel happy when I do this)until my diverticulosis sets in, but IM happy at the time.
Coming home the last night of the workweek and knowing I have off for the next few days, really happy, no matter how cruddy I sometimes feel.
The list is endless, I find so many things make me happy, Im trying to focus on them and not on MG anymore, no matter how much MG reminds me its here.

and one thing, coming to this board and knowing I dont have to feel like a freek or some troll because Im not up to doing things others expect me to do, and knowing some people here understand how I feel, not so alone when I can express myself and be understood. This makes me happy. This makes me the opposite of depressed, whatever that is.

Nice thread!

Things that make me Happy:

Music: The Shins, Kings of Leon, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, Imogine Heap, Colin Haye, Paul Simon, Pearl Jam, The Lemonheads, Nick Drake

TV shows/celebrities: Anything/everything on food network (I blame the prednisone), Ellen, Seinfeld, Curb your enthusiasm, Arrested development, shows on TVO Canada, King of Queens, Dave Chapelle, The Colbert Report

Books: Such a long journey, Tuesdays with Morrie (sad but very good), Patty Clark hahaha, War and Peace (just kidding, the book was too thick:eek:)

Poets: Seamus Heaney, Khalil Gibran, Ray Hsu

Charley: My cat...He's more like a dog, though...He's so adorable...He plays catch with me, greets me as soon as I *decide* to get up (it's like he's psychic...lol), gives rub-hugs constantly...

I like painting...I used to paint with oil, but the smell really bothers me now...I paint with acrylic...I like doing portraits...I like layering lots of colours on top of eachother... I also like cutting up pictures and combining them...

I like coming here and finding others who are going through the same things as me....I also get really excited when I find a natural way to make my body work properly...lol:)

Nicky

Speaking of creating, if this doesn't make you guys both feel good and weep, I don't know what will! ;) Simply amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=518XP8prwZo

Allen, That's a great list! What is it about doing stuff like having pickles out of a barrel? Or going into a garden to get your own vegetables? My family comes from farmers, so anything having to do with nature or growing is big with me. And you're not shallow because you don't like this or that! You're just being you!

Thanks, Pat, but I have to save every single penny these days!

Nicky, Isn't Colbert the funniest and smartest guy around? I wish I could paint again. It's just too much.

What I really miss are road trips. I'm glad I got around our country so much when I was younger.

Annie

I've just thought of another thing I love,
going out to my sisters place and babysitting when her husbands away and she's on nightshift. They have a ridgeback and a kelpie, and they really appreciate not having to spend the night in the dogpen, and I get to spend the nights in the middle of the bush, watching all the local wildlife. I also get to snuggle my gorgeous 30 year old horse.
Kate

What makes me feel good...My son calling from 3,000 miles away to say he is coming home in 2 weeks for a visit! I haven't seen him since we visited him the first week of May. I am so excited!:D

Pat

Hey Pat!
 

Erin, Thank you and you are so right about the meds! I just miss him so much and can't wait to give him a big hug & kiss!:D

Pat

Annie & Sue - Thanks for the encouraging comments about my photos. They are all for my own enjoyment, I so much like the little details of flowers, and I am glad to hear you liked my Tecomaria photo. I come from a farming and nature loving family myself, although I have taken the love of plants to an extreme. I understand why you like Pyramid lake and the Badlands...such great spirit in places like that...like seeing into the soul of the earth.

Connie - I will try to find you on facebook.

Anyone else on facebook? I am somewhat new to facebook and have not told most of the people I have as friends on facebook that I have MG. How do you tell, or do you tell people, you have MG? I welcome all of you as FB friends if you want.

Pat - I like to feed the birds and wildlife too. Had to give up feeders with birdseed though...the hawks found out about the birdseed and were finding easy meals. Now I have a garden with plants that produce year-round food for the birds. A hummingbird family lives here, and lizards, quail, dove (the list goes on)...I love keeping track of all the different creatures that find my garden a good place to be. I enjoy adding new plants to my hummingbird/butterfly garden.

Allen - I too like coming to this board hoping to be accepted with all my MG related problems. I feel like I have become crazy person with MG. I enjoyed your list of simple things you enjoy.

Nick - Thanks for the list of specifics. How fun. I like your list of poetry, books and music you like and I want to make a list for myself but my post is too long already (my favorite author is Herman Hesse and my favorite music today is The Doors and Nick Cave). Natural health feels great and I too try to learn and experiment when I can. I am starting a garden with plants to use for herbs and tea...loving it so far. I would enjoy a natural health thread...we should start one (or continue a previous thread).

Lizzie - I love hawks, especially redtails...I used to have numerous dreams about redtail hawks.

Thanks for the thread Annie! It felt great to share. Thanks to everyone!

Hey Annie,

I know! It's really hard to paint! I noticed years ago that it was getting difficult, but I thought that it was from a bad back...Turns out it was from a bad chest! lol...Do you find that it's mainly your arms, neck, and/or chest? It's not my arms so much as my neck and chest...My hands get tired too, but get better after a minute of resting...

Have you ever tried computer programs? My cousin bought a pretty cheap program, and she's been coming up with some cool stuff with it...The only problem, is that it takes away from that kinesthetic part of creating...Seems like it'd still be pretty rewarding to get your thoughts out there as 'unassisted' as possible (by the actual program, I mean), though...When I get some extra cash, I think that I'm going to buy one of these...

What types of things do you like to paint and what medium?

Nicky

Nicky, Well, let's see. I love almost any medium. I am an art teacher, having a BS in art education. I have a Masters in design, so I'm a graphic designer too. I ended up doing marketing in education and health care. I love acrylic and oil painting, pencil drawing, photography, all kinds of graphic design (especially logos/branding), caricatures, photo/caption projects, carving pumpkins (see below) and lots of other stuff! My hands and arms are the biggest problem although my breathing muscles get affected by things like carving pumpkins. Last year I got so bad that I needed physical therapy for my back! Not fun.

I do photoshop but even that can get tedious. My hands don't have that fine motor coordination anymore. I just do what I can when I feel like it.

I think creating is probably the best thing a person can do to feel good, besides giving of your time to others.

If any of you guys want to try to do pumpkins like this, do the following. I bet even doctors could do it if they tried! ;)

Choose two shapes you really like that you think look good together.
Draw an oval or round pumpkin shape on a piece of paper.
Put those two shapes within that area, varying the sizes and positions.
Sometimes it helps, once you're done, to turn it upside down.
You'd be surprised at how the subconscious mind works that way!
Then carve away. The white pumpkins are often easier than the orange ones.
I have found that carving out the bottom of the pumpkin works best.
It also helps if you have someone else clean the pumpkin out for you! Or carve it for you!
You can also take the pieces you carved out and pin them (with "T" pins) onto the outside of the pumpkin.
Then put a candle in it and behind it for taking photos.

If you can physically handle it, it's lots of fun.

Thanks for the question, Nicky! I'm glad you like to be creative too. It's hard but it's worth it. BTW, I didn't do all those pumpkins at once! They are from several years of doing them.

OMG, Annie- those pumpkins are so stunning! They look like jewels...You have the perfect balance of negative and positive space...

You've made me very excited for Halloween, I'll tell you that much!:) Thanks for sharing those!

Nicky

Thanks, Nicky. It's hard for me to share my designs, especially when they are on pumpkins and people will more than likely think I'm bonkers! :cool: But this post was about what makes us feel good and carving makes me feel really good.

And I like that someone else knows about negative and positive space. ;)

BTW, the one on the bottom row, 4th from the left (or 2nd from the right!) is called Chronic Illness. Wonder where I got the inspiration from that one from?

They're all spectacular, but my favourites are the third from the left, in the top row (with the circular patterns) and the single one...I like the curvy pieces that you attached at the top of the single one...Nice repetition and balance!

Pumpkins are so perfect for carving...it's only too bad that they can't be preserved :(

That's so cool that you were an art teacher...Art class in highschool was always my favourite...I felt completely relaxed and at home there...When I went to college for arts, it was smoothe sailing- until the blasted hand and chest weakness...But I loved the experience of it...

It's cool that you like Georgia O'Keefe...She was my OAC art teacher's favourite as well:)

I think that my favourites are Van Gogh and this other guy who I discovered on TVO...He's Russian-Canadian and he does these remarkably realistic paintings-they look like photographs, but they have this motion in them that reminds you that you're looking at someone's particular perspective, not the objective perspective of a camera...He does every day themes...He did one painting of a nun in a sunflower garden...I've tried to look up the painting for so long to get his name, but I haven't been able find it...I loved the simplicity of the idea, and the motion and colours he put in the painting....

Nicky

The third from the left I call "Bubbles." ;)

Sorry to burst the bubble (sorry, couldn't resist) but I never taught more than summer school. I realized that, while I liked teaching, it was not for me. At least not right then. It might've been nice to teach at the college level. Oh well.

They have pumpkins now that are made out of some hard paper material that you can get at Michael's. They last forever but are much harder to carve.

I have lots of favorite artists too. Arshile Gorky was weird but I loved his stuff. Unlike most people, I really don't like Picasso past his blue period!

Annie