Say no to stress

"Stress is not what happens to us. It's our response TO what happens. And RESPONSE is something we can choose."
~ Maureen Killoran ~

Just wondering….When you wrote down the list of words that you think others use to describe you …..was one of the words ‘stressed’?

Who is not feeling the stress of those nasty elections and the ongoing partisan political pandering?  Let’s face it, the term ‘fiscal cliff’ is not meant to be calming, upbeat, or optimistic.  The last few weeks of the election, I found myself flinching every time my phone rang with another ‘robo-call’.  By the way, who listens to those messages?  I  think we should all go out and march in the streets to pass a constitutional amendment to  get rid of political calls, shiny brochures and unwanted text messages….and why we’re at it,  let’s also tell them to pass a bill to get rid of those scratchy tags they sew into  the necks of our clothing!

I must admit, at the turn of my calendar page in November, I couldn’t help but think about that term ‘stress’ as I felt myself being catapulted into another holiday season yet again. I’m already finding myself being annoyed by the materialism that defines our culture and our celebrations.  The stores are rushing to stage their holiday showcases, and if you look close enough you’ll see one of their manikins  luring you in with the promise of making a loved one happy by pulling out your credit card and charging it ……  I’m starting to hear conversations about anxious people  predicting the upcoming season as being more ‘stress laden’ than usual. I’ve also heard my husband already begin to mumble his holiday mantra, “Bah humbug!”

I do think that some people actually get energized by ‘stress’, much like an afternoon 'grande' cup of Starbucks coffee.  They really believe that they do their best work under stress.  But I’m not one of those people.  When I get stressed I can’t make a decision.  I’m like one of those circus elephants tied to a stake and all I can do is run around in a circle. 

Last December I decided to take the word ‘stress’ out of my vocabulary and I managed to do pretty well for a time.  And you may recall on my blog during our summer seminar, we talked about how bad stress is for our brains and our health.  But none-the-less, I have seen the shadow of that old trouble making ‘not our friend’ emotion, creeping around the corner.

So I’ve decided to re-dedicate myself to take charge and stand tall against ‘stress’.  The word ‘stress’ shall not pass my lips this holiday season….I am going to take responsibility for my responses and I am going to begin now to make this holiday season a joyous one.  I hope you’ll join me.

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