Two-fer

My instinct tells me I should stay on this "break" that I'm on, and not take on any more work. For once in my life, I'm trying to heed that little voice, but it feels WRONG and LAZY and EMBARRASSING. I don't know what to do with myself. When I remember the things I wished I had time for when I was working so much, they all sound stupid and boring and too much trouble. But my friend Af told me they would, and I should just do it anyway and suddenly I'd find myself having fun. That happened yesterday. I did some accounting work for the business in the a.m., and thought about going to Barton Springs. I love the idea of it -- a gorgeous natural swimming pool, 68 degrees year-round -- but I bet I haven't been there in 5 years, despite the fact I used to live within 2-3 miles of it. I hemmed. I hawed. (Isn't that a picture?) And then... I went. I walked a couple of miles around the hike & bike trail at noon, got good and hot and sweaty and miserable. Then I changed into my suit at the bathhouse, walked down to the pool, and... Ahhhhhhh. Bliss. The thing is, the whole escapade took 2 hours total, and I felt as refreshed as a day-long vacation. Why do I avoid the simple pleasures that the universe lays right at my feet?