The day wasn't going well already. You know how it is, you wake up in the morning with that migraine or the pounding headache in the back of your head. The kids are up at the crack of dawn (literally) and they keep coming into the bedroom to "help you" wake up. You fumble your way down stairs to a screaming chorus of, "Daddy, she won't quit looking at me!" And then you have the old reliable "Hey! That's my stuff!" And what are those comments without Back-up Plan 'B': "Hey! That's my spot!" was bellowed out as the kids fought over the fluffy pillow in my office while watching Little House on the Prairie.
Now don't get me wrong, my kids are great and I love them with all my heart but they do have their days. ;)
I wiped the sleep from my eyes as I fixed my morning lifeline, a steaming cup of Joe (which was destined to be spilled all over my desktop, keyboard and carpet!). After cleaning up the mess, I headed back into the kitchen but stopped half way there to remove the tiny doll shoe embedded in the bottom of my bare foot. The kids were at it again. That was it! I was at the boiling point and I could not tolerate this any longer!
I limped into the kitchen and there they were?lined up like little soldiers waiting to be disciplined. They looked as if they longed for, no, were begging for the stern discipline that they had coming?the bag of flour, the sugar bowl, and the salt shaker.
I threw the ingredients together in a powdery fury to the chorus of a clanking, ceramic bowl. There it was. The sun peeked through the partially drawn shades in the kitchen, gently embracing the soft, pale contents of the mixing bowl. The dough stared back at me, yearning to be thrown, rolled and disciplined.
I picked up the gooey substance and slammed it on the countertop! Pounding, pushing, pulling and kneading until it begged me for the rolling pin. I glanced at the built-in drawer under the oven and quickly produced a rolling pin. Without mercy I rolled, bunched up, and rolled again until the dough cried out, "I've had enough!"
For the 'Coupe de Gras', I placed the submissive heap in a bread pan and threw it into the oven. "There now", I said to the unbaked loaf. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" Forty-five minutes later I was rewarded with a delicious, toasted aroma that crept through the house like fog on a cool morning. Peace at last. The stress was gone. I felt great.
Next time you are stressed out, walk into the kitchen (or limp if you must), grab the bag of flour and its companions and administer a little discipline. You'll feel better and be rewarded with a delicious, healthy treat!
Terry Stokely is a twenty-five year veteran of the baking industry. After being permenantly laid off in December of 2004, he enjoys spending time with his family and promoting his new ebook Home Baked Goodness with Bread, Rolls and Muffins. The new ebook, which he co-authored with his wife Dawn, can be found at http://www.homebakedfavorites.com
As we celebrate yet another Labor Day, I thought it... Read More
There are two types of anxiety:*Situational *Existential.Most of us experience... Read More
When Army leaders fail to control battlefield stress, they lose... Read More
Take a moment to think about the week that just... Read More
I'm sure you have heard of IBS, irritable bowel syndrome,... Read More
In order to free ourselves from the pain of anger... Read More
THE ENCHANTED SELF® teaches you how to access positive states... Read More
Do you feel stress at work? Do you carry your... Read More
Stress is amazingly persistent, even seductive. We get used to... Read More
The best way to reduce your stress is to really... Read More
Burt Reynolds revealed his vulnerable side when he realized he... Read More
The fast pace of life is taking toll on every... Read More
Learning methods of stress elimination is a vital skill in... Read More
"We do not stop playing because we grow old. We... Read More
* Play Romane's stress control seminar recordings, and read "The... Read More
Something the successful business person needs is - lots of... Read More
If you live in the early part of the twenty-first... Read More
Too much driving, too much shopping, too much rushing around,... Read More
Over the years I've collected scores of comics and cartoons... Read More
Stress is often seen as being unhealthy, but for some... Read More
Have you ever noticed what occurs when you are suddenly... Read More
What do you do when you wake up in the... Read More
When I pay attention, I clearly see the arresting ways... Read More
Do you attack problems and solve them or do you... Read More
1) Create the life you desireTwo of our most underdeveloped... Read More
Don't let stress wear you down. Next time you are... Read More
It was a self-exploration that made me understand myself. It... Read More
What good is Personal or Business Success...if your Health is... Read More
One of the dumbest things I have ever done is... Read More
Rhodiola Rosea is the latest natural remedy to join the... Read More
I recently received this e-mail message about stress management (author... Read More
I love a good story and I know I'm not... Read More
"I'm stressed out."If you find yourself thinking--or saying--this on a... Read More
"Smash!" It was a sunny autumn Saturday. My cousins and... Read More
The best way to reduce your stress is to really... Read More
Q. I wonder if you could help me with a... Read More
Have you ever considered sewing a handbag as an act... Read More
Make stress less of an issue for you in your... Read More
Many people recognise the warning signs that stress may be... Read More
Over the years I've collected scores of comics and cartoons... Read More
10 Ways to Monitor Corporate Stress LevelsGood military leaders work... Read More
Learn to have healthy relationships:This subject could fill an entire... Read More
If you find symptoms of anxiety disorder in any of... Read More
Stress management is a hot topic; stress-related illness and suffering... Read More
1. Acknowledge that requesting support, guidance and partnership is not... Read More
"Do you want to be a lump of coal or... Read More
It's summertime and chances are you can remember a summer... Read More
Do you ever fret? In today's materialistic age, sometimes fretting... Read More
Today we have more stress in our lives than ever... Read More
When was the last time you took a day just... Read More
Stress relief and managementRecognizing stress symptoms can be a positive... Read More
In order to understand stress better, it is a good... Read More
Life is so busy and as mothers we spend so... Read More
Where does stress really come from? Is there any simple... Read More
Do you feel stress at work? Do you carry your... Read More
A little stress is good for us until it becomes... Read More
We so often take the feelings of happiness and saddness... Read More
1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a... Read More
Q: Someone told me that the Chinese symbol for crisis... Read More
Most people know of the importance of exercise as a... Read More
Genuine enthusiasm...real feeling of accomplishment...sense of satisfaction and fun. Welcome... Read More
Q. I've suffered a few setbacks and disappointments in the... Read More
The number one most popular issue that users of a... Read More
"The great lesson from the true mystics, from the Zen... Read More
Stress Vs PressureStress is something we all have, it's not... Read More
Learning methods of stress elimination is a vital skill in... Read More
Stress Management |