I have been through an emotional roller coaster this week and I decided that it was time to take a drive and sing loudly and badly to music. Honestly, after singing my first two songs I could have just turned around and come home for I felt much better. Instead, I kept driving. I drove into the gorge again, but this time on Washington’s side. It is a bit different of a drive for it is just a small two lane highway versus at least a 4-6 lane highway on the Oregon side.
I ended up getting stuck behind a couple of semi trucks, so I had some time to think. I realized how therapeutic driving and singing was for me and I wondered whether doctors/therapists ever prescribe that for their patients – take two long drives, sing badly, and call me in the morning. It works for me. I bet it could work for a lot of people. Then I wandered, could I write off my car for medical (mental) purposes since that is pretty much the only thing I use it for. Do you think universal health care would cover that?
I ended up driving about 60-70 miles into the gorge where I pulled over at a rest stop. It was up on a cliff over looking the river and had a couple little trails that went around the area. I took a walk and found a perfect corner on an edge with a grassy hill facing the sun. I used my backpack as a pillow and laid down to enjoy the warmth of the sun. I think I fell asleep at one point.
I was thinking about items that I would like to work on over the next few months. I need to work on relaxing so I am going to look for some tai chi and yoga videos. For some reason going to a studio just does not sound relaxing to me. I also want to work on my concentration so I am going to look for an audio CD to help guide me in meditation. Next, my voice. I know that I have the capacity to speak loudly for I do it in meetings and when in loud areas, but it is not my normal voice. Well, now it is going to be. I realized that if I talk from the back of my throat I am a lot louder. Luckily, no one was around me on the grassy hill while I was practicing!