Unstress Recipe

I'm reading a book by Dr. Kevin Leman, BONKERS: Why women get stressed out and what they can do about it.  Yes, I've been going a bit bonkers lately, but stress has always been a heartbeat away for me.  So, its probably something I need to read continually! Anyway, I thought I would share a "secret recipe" for dealing with the pressures of life.

1. Know your own limits
Are you a racehorse or a turtle? Develop a lifestyle that fits you and no one else.


2. Choose goals that are right for you and your life
Be sure they are your goals and not something that is forced on you by parents, teachers or other people.


3. Look out for yourself by looking out for others and earning their goodwill
By helping others you help yourself as you make your deposit in the other person's 'bank of goodwill'.


I struggle with all of this.  They seem to create a cycle that honors none of the above! I often know my limits but feel compelled to stretch them (ignoring #2) and then fall short of fulfilling #3.

May you be free of borrowed guilt and and unwarranted pressure today!

Give it a Week!

Yesterday was my 31st birthday.  Thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday and especially those who spent some time with me in honor of it.  I was asked many times what I wanted for my birthday, if I was doing something exciting, etc. and my answer was pretty lame every time.  I don't know, haven't thought about it yet, not really. Now don't get me wrong, I love my birthday, but this year it just came at a bad time! :)  With adjusting to feeding Jude every two hours for approximately 40 minutes and trying to get things ready to start lessons again, last week I just never felt like I had the time to catch my breath much less think about really celebrating.  If I had it would have just been because I was put on the spot and not truly enjoyed any of it.

I'm sharing this not to complain, but to share a lesson I'm learning today.  Sometimes we feel pressured to make a decision or a choice.  Perhaps others are waiting for what you're going to decide or peer pressure is a factor.  Maybe simple obligation is at play or tradition is pushing you.  As I have many times, maybe you're doing the pressuring.  A moment creeps in and pushes the emotional buttons so that now feels like the only time to act.  Since having Jude I have been overcome with waves of urgency.  Urgency to get better and move around, urgency to lose weight, urgency to establish a tolerable routine and urgency to be prepared for everything today, right now.  Makes you a little dizzy, huh? Well, I've been making myself dizzy!  But sometimes that sense of urgency is just fake - made up completely!  Wisdom has patience, takes time to research, and above all else waits a while because things (feelings, circumstances, information) could change.

Though I've had some trouble adjusting over the past 2 months of Jude's life, within a week or two the issue has passed or I've adapted.  Either way, in the end I'm still smiling, even when I thought I would never smile again (so to speak).  I don't know about you, but there is a lot of turmoil in people's lives these days.  Sickness, division, just change in general seems to be spilling into our lives from others.  I'm learning that sometimes the worst thing you can do is to make a rash decision (to open your mouth, make a judgement, give in to despair, etc.).  The best thing you can do is take a deep breath, say a nice long prayer and then tread slowly, wisely and give everything some time to fully develop.  Like my birthday, most things don't HAVE to be addressed right now when it comes down to it.

As Annie so eloquently put it, the sun'll come out tomorrow...