This Is Your Brain on Free Time

It's not a coincidence that more than one very important person in my life has recently exclaimed, "You need to get back to work!" I believe that messages are all around us. Some are subtle; this one was not. I don't disagree. In fact, I am one of those important people.

Flashback to that 80's PSA showing an uncracked egg, the narrator announcing, "This is your brain." OK. Then, in dramatic fashion, the egg is cracked wide open and dropped it in a hot cast iron pan. As it sizzles, he proclaims, "This is your brain on drugs! Any questions?" Yeah, I have one: Who wants a fried brain? Not me.

I can assure you my brain isn't the fried variety--more like soft boiled, maybe even scrambled.


Don't get me wrong, my 6-month sabbatical has not been spent lounging on the couch eating bonbons and watching soap operas all day. I started writing a book. I completed the Artist's Way, a 12-week creative recovery program. Took an online gratitude course. I kept active with my writing group via Facebook and Google Hangout. I visited museums. Photographed nature in state parks. Wrote poems and essays and short stories. I read fiction, non-fiction, poetry, whatever I could get my hands on. So what if I took a few dozen naps along the way,* waking up startled mid-dream with drool coming out the side of my mouth? So what if I watched countless re-runs of The Middle and The Office and lots of Dr. Oz and Judge Judy whose show aired twice a day in Orlando?

Here's what: All the down time killed some brain cells. Well, maybe it didn't kill them off completely, but they most definitely went to sleep. More like hibernated. As much as I tried to stimulate myself intellectually, I discovered one very important truth about myself: I don't just benefit from working with others, I need it--like water, like oxygen. And, not only do I need to work with others, I need to be of service to others. This fires off my neurons like nothing else--even my beloved triple shot cappuccinos.

I didn't need my VIPs to tell me I needed to return to work. But, I'm glad they loved me enough to risk it, trusted that I wouldn't maul them for stating the obvious after I made one air headed comment or asked one stupid question after another.**

I'm ready to emerge from my cave, stretch out in the sunlight, and get back to work.
------------------------------------------------------------------
*Or hundreds. I didn't keep count.
**There is such a thing as a stupid question. I'd share some examples, but I can't remember specifics. You're going to just have to trust me.

And, there's no asterisk for this, but I had to do a lot of research about asterisks to get it right. I really do need to get back to work!

Comments

  1. VickNovember 20, 2017 at 11:17 AM

    Nice blog today! Love the asterisks.*

    * Was there a lesson I need to know about asterisks!?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annmarie November 26, 2017 at 5:24 PM

      Sorry I am late to comment back! You have the asterisk down pat! I never realized there were so many rules on placement--not something they taught in high school or even college, and I was an English major. Now I know!

      Delete

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