If what I am reading is true, I may not be around a lot longer. My long term goal is to live to 105, but unless I can repulse the attack of the killer stress, then it could get ugly!
If you adhere to the “everything happens for a reason” philosophy directed by a “higher authority” then the bumps and roadblocks that we face in life are just course corrections that our higher authority is making for us (or if you are on auto-guidance, course decisions that you have to make). In my case, in my mind, I failed. If, however, I can somehow alter my thinking, then I can see a business failure as a much needed course correction. The biggest issue, then, becomes how long did I resist this necessary change and how much damage, in terms of stress, has been done?
An interesting definition and discussion of stress from WebMD is, “Stress is the body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses. The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. Stress can be positive, keeping us alert and ready to avoid danger. Stress becomes negative when a person faces continuous challenges without relief or relaxation between challenges. As a result, the person becomes overworked, and stress-related tension builds. Stress that continues without relief can lead to a condition called distress — a negative stress reaction. Distress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases.”
Having substantially reduced my own stress in my life, this week, I would like to focus on stress, its consequences and how to reduce and avoid it. Boy, if I could help just some of you do that (or all of you, for that matter) that would make my week!
Finally, on a personal note, Grace and I went to Old Town on Tuesday to get Valentine’s Day presents and I found a parting word for you. Old Town is a magical place that is the “heart” of Albuquerque and consists of a mix of little shops, restaurants and cafes in an area four blocks long and one block wide. One of the stores is Angel Town and that is where we went to find our gifts. Of the ones that Grace picked out, one is an angel magnet and perhaps when your stress begins to rise today, you can think what it so beautifully states, “Each Day is a Gift. That’s Why They Call It the Present…”
