So, you know how it is.  It was about three in the afternoon, and I was hitting an energy slump.  There I was, sitting in front of the computer, falling into a trance.  Falling asleep, in fact.

Now, if I were working at home, I might have just decided that it was nap time.  Nothing wrong with that.  But I wasn't at home.  I was at a work site, getting paid by the hour.  Not feeling free to nap.

So, I had a conversation with my inner Slug -- what my beloved teacher Havi would probably refer to as one of my monsters.

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Me:  Hi, Slug.  I see you.  You have permission to be here.
Slug:  urrrrghhhhh

Me:  So, you seem to really want to sit still and do nothing.  Am I right about that?
Slug:  yeaaaahhhhhh

Me:  At the same time, I have this project that I would like to work on.  Today.
Slug:  oooooooohhhhhhh...

Me:  So, can we try moving?  Just a little bit?
Slug:  urrrrrrr....

Me:  You remind me so much of the Sleep Demon.*  Are you related?
Slug:  mmmmhmmmm...

Me:  I thought so.  You're different, though.  The Sleep Demon persuades me to sleep.  You just sleep, and take me to bed with you.
Slug:  heeeeeheeeee....

Me:  So, we're together.  We're totally friends.
Slug:  ummmm?

Me:  Yes.  We take each other places.  You have taken me to bed.  Now, I'd like to take you for a walk.  To the bathroom.
Slug:  hmm.

Me:  Let's just do that now.  Then we'll see what we feel like doing next.
Slug:  mmm.

---

And that worked.  We walked together, we came back together -- and then we did some work.  Together.  I gave the Slug room to feel dozy, and the Slug gave me space to get a few things done.

Not a bad compromise.

---

*Ah, yes, the Sleep Demon.  My old adversary.  Remind me to tell you more about the Sleep Demon one of these days...

There must be fifty ways -- no, not to leave my lover -- but to be my lover.  Fifty ways to be sweet to myself on February 14th.  At least.

Here are a few, just for starters:

1.  I will wear my heart-shaped rose quartz pendant.  The one with the invisible freshwater pearls.  Yes.

2.  I will drink my favorite tea from my favorite mug.

3.  I will read inspiring, happy-making blogs (waves to Havi and Selma, and to Goddess Leonie)

4.  I will watch OK Go videos on YouTube.  (Especially "Here It Goes Again," the one with the treadmills!)

5.  I will splurge, to the tune of $2.99, for an MP3 of Ravel's Bolero arranged for an orchestra of three hundred kazoos.  Thank you, Sandra Boynton and Michael Ford!

6.  Then I'll grab my own kazoo and play along!  Or maybe I'll just squeeze my hand into a loose, open-ended fist, bring it to my lips, and be the kazoo.  Because yeah, I'm that good.

7.  I will massage sweetly scented lotion into my skin.

8.  I will sit in my rocking chair on the front porch, and just be.

There.  That's eight.  Eight is enough.  For now.

How about you?  Is there something sweet and loving (or endearingly quirky and strange) that you would like to do for yourself?