Stress. I’ve become an unwilling expert on this topic lately due to unfortunate circumstances. Let me share a few of the life lessons I’ve picked up.
I’m learning to let go of things I cannot change. Just like the wisdom of the Serenity Prayer:
Easier said than done. Make a tight fist. Feel the power in that?
Now, open your hand slowly. More power now…in letting it all go.
Pope John XXIII had a huge responsibility watching over the world’s Catholics and the church. He would tell God at bedtime, “I’ve done my best I could in your service this day. I’m going to bed. It’s your church. Take care of it!” And, he slept well.
Find your inner peace. Plenty of peace-stealers out there. Protect your peace. Everybody has a right to voice their opinion. But, just the same, you have the right to weigh opinions and choose what’s best for you!
Live in the moment. Don’t let that argument or disagreement rob you of the joy around you …like your dog that’s begging to be petted. Or walked.
Your dog will get you outside for a bit to see the world around you in a different way. Take a walk, even if it’s for only for ten minutes. Exercise will help you metabolize excessive stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline, to help relax you.
Let go of criticisms. What the critic is saying has more to do about them than about you. Run your own race.
Do what you believe to be the right thing to do. Then, be content with yourself. Love the critics anyway. We’re all in this same race of life. And, loving people brings out the best in them.
If you have time, help others. It’ll naturally increase the “feel good” neurotransmitters. Helps with depression, as well!
Other people swear by meditation. Well, not literally! I haven’t ventured down that path yet. But, I put my faith in the Big Therapist in the sky. He knows everything going on with me, anyways. Sometimes you just have to trust in a higher power the things that are out of your control. You don’t have to be in control of everything.
Keep the faith!
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