When I pay attention, I clearly see the arresting ways God works in my life. Often people I meet in my programs (or elsewhere) give me such profound, relevant messages I know the hand of God is at work and it is to my peril to ignore such directives. Two such recent encounters helped release me from the bondage of undue stress.
In a recent workshop I facilitated I spoke with one woman at the day's end who looked sorely overwhelmed. As we spoke she began listing all she had to do today; all she had accomplished yesterday; and the endless list still needing to be done.
As I gently queried this bright, enthused woman she began to see she was doing too much. What really had to be done today? After a very full, all-day workshop could she just go home and give herself some down time and trust she'd accomplish what really needed to be done in good time? My parting words to her that night were "Easy does it."
As she left, I saw the gift she had given me. Hadn't I just been feeling overwhelmed with new work I had taken on, plus a host of other life decisions all seeming to demand my attention NOW?
What Really Needs to be Done Today?
Like this woman, I too was doing more in one day than necessary plus, worrying about all the future tasks to be done. As Jesus admonished us in the Beatitudes "Do not borrow trouble from tomorrow..."
If you are feeling pressured, overwhelmed and stressed ? it is time to stop and ask, "What really needs to be done today?" Also, "How much energy am I wasting worrying about the future?" We need to allow what we have done to be enough and to trust we have the time we need.
Unmanaged Stress Kills
Another client not long ago drove home the importance of managing stress in our lives. I approached this person one day after the program as he seemed withdrawn and resistant.
Sadly, this remarkably gifted man had lost all confidence in his talents to pursue a possible dream in design (although others remarked on the genius he'd applied to his own home). Near tears, he also revealed how he had nearly died from a chronic debilitating disease caused by extreme stress.
With chilling clarity, this man's demise and hopelessness showed me the dangers of eroding oneself with excessive worry, stress and self-doubt (which as humans we all slip into from time to time.) Loudly, this message spoke to me of the importance of managing stress, giving ourselves much needed breaks, trusting in the timing of things, and being on our own side.
Pressuring ourselves to do more or worrying about what must be done does not alleviate the underlying feelings of inadequacy and fear. Rather than pushing ourselves to do more or allowing negative self-talk to erode us can we instead sit a bit with ourselves?
Sit a Bit
This can be a challenge because often it is exactly these scary feelings and thoughts we are trying to escape! Try sitting and breathing and accepting this wholly human condition. Let us give our precious selves some kindness and compassion when these driven, crazy-making moments arise.
Breathing? Letting go? Trusting in a perfect timing?
As we sit with ourselves we need to do so without expectations. We don't have to get it right or achieve some special state. We simply practice kindness toward ourselves and acknowledge our uncomfortable or painful feelings.
Herein, old habits begin to dissolve of their own accord. Also, from this place we can more clearly make decision about what our true priorities are and put first things first.
In an interview with Mahatma Ghandi; Ghandi said he meditated two hours each day. The interviewer asked, "What do you do when you are too busy to meditate?" Gandhi replied, "Mediate four hours a day." Clearly, taking the time to sit with ourselves is a priority especially when we are far too busy or stressed to do so!
Teresa Proudlove has been inspiring, supporting, and guiding over 3000 people upon their career and life work path for over fourteen years - with compassion and heart. Teresa's workshops and writing, offer a deeper understanding and respect for ourselves, for others, and for our lifework path. This entrepreneurial woman also owned and successfully operated two women's retail boutiques for ten years. For over twelve years, Teresa was a well-read newspaper columnist. Visit Teresa at http://www.yourlifework.com; listen to your inner guidance and navigate through life and work with more meaning, acceptance and peace.
1. The Law of GiftsRichard Bach, author of "Illusions" says... Read More
Recently the well known American news anchor Peter Jennings died... Read More
Don't wait to have a life-threatening disease to learn what... Read More
Aromatherapy is very therapeutic when it comes to healing emotional... Read More
The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds.... Read More
In order to free ourselves from the pain of anger... Read More
* The material presented in this article is provided for... Read More
Training Your Mind For Better Business and LeisureModern life moves... Read More
Statistics tell us that more people have migraine headaches on... Read More
Shit happens. I know this to be a fact, because... Read More
We've all experienced it-computerized technology that doesn't function properly. PCs... Read More
Feeling stressed out lately? Don't worry, there is a simple... Read More
While free-lancing for business magazines, I was assigned to write... Read More
When I pay attention, I clearly see the arresting ways... Read More
I had the unpleasant experience of being pulled over the... Read More
Workplace stress is on the rise and it's costing corporate... Read More
Are you a "worry wart?" Is that term familiar to... Read More
The main problem in a down economy is that workplaces... Read More
Q. Help! I moved from the Dallas to Denver. I... Read More
Worry, big or small blocks positive vibrations from entering your... Read More
Comedian George Carlin once remarked, "Have your ever noticed? Anyone... Read More
I recently received this e-mail message about stress management (author... Read More
June is the month of the honey moon. Custom holds... Read More
Learning methods of stress elimination is a vital skill in... Read More
"When you breathe, you inspire. When you do not breathe,... Read More
Writing down our thoughts and feelings, as in keeping a... Read More
Too much driving, too much shopping, too much rushing around,... Read More
Q. I wonder if you could help me with a... Read More
In a recent CMA survey of 2251 physicians, over 45%... Read More
It's summertime and chances are you can remember a summer... Read More
There are two types of anxiety:*Situational *Existential.Most of us experience... Read More
A friend has this quotation on his office wall: "I... Read More
One question that is not asked enough by people under... Read More
Why are you so busy? Do you really have too... Read More
I'm so excited that I have discovered this secret today.... Read More
Top Ten Ways to Reduce Your Stress at Home1. Create... Read More
Ask a hundred different people how to deal with stress... Read More
Think back a few years to the nine coal miners... Read More
Do you ever fret? In today's materialistic age, sometimes fretting... Read More
ResentmentsA wise friend once said that holding onto resentments is... Read More
What good is Personal or Business Success...if your Health is... Read More
The right amount of stress can be good for you,... Read More
Stress. The word brings to mind many different definitions doesn't... Read More
Whenever we think of 'stress', negative thoughts come into our... Read More
Lake Hopatcong, NJ (PRWEB) November 30, 2004 -- Here are... Read More
We so often take the feelings of happiness and saddness... Read More
Many people recognise the warning signs that stress may be... Read More
I was a psychotherapist for... Read More
Everybody deals with fear and anxiety, however some people have... Read More
The predominant role human conditioning plays in a stressful environment.... Read More
Have you ever considered sewing a handbag as an act... Read More
After a stressful day as a computer programmer, Jim pulled... Read More
Stress is an interpretation of an event or circumstance which... Read More
Stress ReliefStress is a big business in Western society. We... Read More
Conceptualizing stress: Stress often has a negative connotation. Failure, illnesses,... Read More
Loneliness and separation are the real illness of our times.... Read More
We all have it; we live with it daily: stress.... Read More
Positive self-esteem is very important for our general health and... Read More
The best way to reduce your stress is to really... Read More
If you have never tried combining your breathing exercises with... Read More
One of my favorite stories about change is the story... Read More
Many people go through the motions during Christmas. If not... Read More
Do you worry all the time?Do the following symptoms bother... Read More
You probably think I'm wacko, but it's true - stress... Read More
The moment I read the story I'm about to share... Read More
The National Center for health statistics reported that in 1997,... Read More
Stress Management |