
Melanie begins our August with a fresh set of Share Your World questions. Let’s get this done!
Do you ever feel more excited about getting the package in the mail, rather than the item that’s in it?
No. In fact, I’m starting to feel guilty about ordering so much stuff online because of the ridiculous amount of wasted packaging. Amazon and Target say they’ll ship multiple items together, but often this doesn’t happen and you get individual things in separate boxes. I’m going to the stores more lately for items that are easily available.
What is the difference between your ideal self and your real self? (i.e. what attribute or physical feature would allow you feel the ideal ‘you’?)
Oh, where to begin! First, my ideal self would not be in chronic pain from migraines and backaches. This would allow me to engage in more physical activity, which would (second) improve my fitness and health overall. Third, my ideal self would sleep better, which would give me more energy to be active physically as well as mentally. Ideally (fourth), I would constantly be improving my mind by appreciating great literature, art, and film, instead of lazily viewing whichever thing is the least effort. I would love to learn another language or three and also proceed with math. I would love to learn to play music! Fifth, I would do good in the world, make more of an effort to lessen my footprint on the environment, volunteer at an animal shelter, and help out at the library. I have energy for NONE of these things when I spend all my free time managing pain so I can go to work.
So no, I’m not joining the herd by saying I am okay with myself how I am. I’m not. I hate being in chronic pain and it makes me crabby and depressed and keeps me from enjoying my life and being productive in my free time. This was a particularly awful weekend.

If you found $2,000 on the ground and there were no witnesses, what would you do with it?
Nothing. Walk past it quickly before THEY show up. C’mon, we’ve all seen this movie…
Are you ever morally obliged to take action? Under what circumstances?
Yes. As in Di’s example, if we witness a child or animal left in a hot car, we must help, either by contacting the police or rescuing them directly. There are loads of other examples, but my head hurts too much to think of them. I once called the police when I heard a man screaming at a woman he was going to kill her, but it turned out it was her teenage son being a jerk and she was fine. The police thanked me though.
Please feel free to share how last week went for you. Bright or not so bright spots?
Horrible. Every day was/is a struggle to deal with migraine issues. It’s not only the pain, though that’s miserable enough, but also I have to cope with nausea, worsened tinnitus, and balance issues. All this makes me clumsy and shaky. More than “normal” anyway, as I’m not graceful at the best of times. While I am beyond thankful for meds that work, they leave me exhausted regardless.
Aren’t you glad you asked?
~*~
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