The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the full light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you choose, what you think, and what you do is who you become. Your integrity is your destiny…it is the light that guides your way.
~Heraclitus

(This one is just a bit later than usual, as the internet connection here at the house went out for a while ^^; )

When I got off work this evening, I was looking forward to not having to rush to get anything specific done. It’s nice, especially when the week has been rather full, to know you have a bit of time to just slow down and unwind.

I spent the evening in a series of activities that mirrored the way I’ve always spent most of my downtime over the last few years. Thing is, when I finished up, though I was refreshed a little, it wasn’t the level of restoration I had been hoping for. I had to think about that one for a little bit.

As I’ve grown and changed, especially this last year or so, I’ve noticed that the way I approach things has changed as well. That seems like it would be pretty obvious – and in some ways it most certainly is – but in others not quite so much. Personally, I find it interesting to discover that what I need for relaxation, for restoration, for play – this to is changing.

It’s not that any of the things I’ve been doing previously are bad, it’s just that they are no longer quite “good enough”. They don’t reach the depth and breadth that I need to actually come away feeling refreshed. In many cases, the same *type* of activity would still work, just the quality of interaction needs to change – a more active, involved role instead of the passive, observational one that has been my penchant. Even in those activities where observation is the purpose of the endeavor, seeking to actively immerse myself would bring about a better appreciation of the experience.

The important part about all of this – to me at least – is that the types of things I’m trending toward are actually more over-all beneficial and (mentally/emotionally/physically) healthy than many of the things I’ve pursued previously. I must admit, I find that encouraging, and I hope it is a pattern that continues. Definitely something to add to my list of daily goals ^_^