Sunset at my favorite spot on earth – Big Sur.  Taken in November 2002.

I have a tried-and-true method for dealing with sickness, something I like to call "Operation Nip it in the Bud".  Anytime I start to feel any kind of bug, cold, flu, etc. creep into my body, I go into immediate rest mode and usually thwart any kind of full-on illness.  Today is one of those days, where I feel something coming on but am not totally miserable.  Whatever it is has not reached its full capacity.  I could very easily keep working all day, go to lunch with my girlfriend (something I was eagerly looking forward to) and keep the door wide open for whatever bug this is to make itself comfortable and really knock me out, or I can just pay attention to the fact that my defenses are down and it is time to just sit still.  So here I am in bed, with my laptop and two movies, and it is just now noon.  I got a few things done this morning, but now it is time to send this bug on its merry way.

I realize how fortunate I am to be able to put everything on hold so I can try to kill this bug with kindness by resting in bed with tea all afternoon.  Many people would not only have to plow through the beginning stages of sickness, but also through any kind of full blown cold or flu, filling themselves with all kinds of antibiotics and generally running themselves ragged.  How strange that I feel like it is a luxury to be able to pay attention to what is going on with my body and do what I need to do to avoid being sick for a week instead of a day.

Today is just a day for me to be here, alone in my home, with the pillows piled up behind my head and two good movies.  This way, if all goes well, it is only a day or two spent hibernating rather than many days spent miserable.

"Sometimes the most urgent thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest."  -Ashleigh Brilliant