Secrets From The Desert

"It's the most wonderful time of the year." It's also when the heat is turned on, and every microbe of dust finds its place near me. Spoiler Alert: I have a cold. This writing is about the fantastic things I did to stay healthy. 

• The Love of My Life aka Dettol - We play a game together. My childhood favourite game was Hide and Seek. In this game, the dust is to be found. I am the seeker, and Dettol is the one who screams, "Dust, I found you in the trim over the doorway!" The best part: obliteration. You can't do that to most things. That's why I love Dettol. Its tagline: "Effective protection from Germs that cause Infections" 
• Water - My Uncle usually brings me bottles of Eska. I assure you, I am aware of the evils of plastic. This is a luxury I allow because having a bottle of water means I will drink more water. Also, there is a tangible recollection of what I have consumed. To compensate environmentally, I research how and where items can be reused in communities (instead of, being recycled or thrown away) 
• Homemade Caesar Salad- What I am going to address (get it? address? dressing?) is the chemistry of garlic. The dressing was put in a glass jar, and left in the fridge for an hour, merely for convenience. What happened was a marvel. The garlic saturated everything. Add crispy, hydrating romaine lettuce and it's like jumping in a lake, on a hot humid day. 

As previously stated, I got a cold anyway. So why for cotton picking sakes am I telling you this? It makes me feel good. A cold is a virus we receive from others. Let's not forget care. If we stayed away from every one, we possibly could protect ourselves from sickness. Where is the love in that? 

Clam

There is a story about how pearls are made. A piece of sand gets stuck, and as the oyster, annoyed, tries to be rid of it, a pearl is formed. Oh, how cute. I just read an article on depression; and while, some of it was valid, it has also annoyed me to no end. Yes, I did have a healing experience when I freaked out over a negative situation. Instead of being ignored (as was common in the workplace bullying season) steps were taken within my community to deal with sexual abuse, large scale. That was pretty awesome.

What annoyed me is that the article seemed to express: after a depressed person gets beyond the ruminating of negative situations by receiving support from others, they will be healed. They will have found the answer for which they were seeking. How is that possibly annoying? Well, in and of itself it is virtuous. What has happened in my case is that I have had people pressure me. Anytime I'd be feeling well, and take up a task, certain people felt they had to push my limits...so I could get better. Gee thanks.

What annoys me is how people feel they have to have a handle on my illness. They have to provide a solution. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if it was from a place of genuine care. I feel like I am their project, and should get well so they can be a success.

Smile - The Guide to My Toothpaste

On this I can depend. I have a toothpaste for whatever faces me.

My Toothpaste Guide

• Foaming. There is something absolutely glorious about brushing your teeth in the shower. To fully enjoy it, the toothpaste has to foam, and run out of your mouth. As you raise your head to the faucet, allow the water to swirl in your mouth. It's like a giant waterpick. 

• Cinammon or Tea Tree Oil. You've just had a coffee. You know you're going to eat soon, but there's a gooey film over your tongue, and you are not inclined to it. You drink water; and yet, it still exists. You don't want to use flouride. These toothpastes are perfect. They clean out the taste of coffee without leaving a residue. You can brush your teeth and not concern yourself with whether you eat right away or not.

• The Super Duper "I'm more than you ever imagined possible". This toothpaste will continue to work for you, fighting off bacteria and keeping colds at bay. Use it before you go to bed. If you still feel vulnerable, you can follow up with mouthwash, and put a drop of tea tree oil in each ear. 

I can't control what happens from day to day. What I can do, is face it with a smile.