LHAS 9 of 16: Stress Logic

Today, it just seems strange that I was struggling as much as I was with stress and the scale for the past couple months. I almost feel as though it was all a strange dream. Now, I'm feeling happy, peaceful, content, excited. Ok, so there is still a little stress there with the work thing and I'll be attending my grandfather's funeral service next week with the unfamily. But regardless of the stresses that come with life, I'm not feeling overwhelmed with these events.

I truly believe that stress is a choice. Stress isn't one of those things that just happens to me without my knowledge or permission. It doesn't victimize. It doesn't choose. It doesn't target. It has no agenda. Life happens, things happen and how we choose to perceive those things and then respond to our perceptions is what causes us stress. It's not the events themselves, it's our choices that cause us emotional turmoil and anxiety. Ok so there are some out there that have "chemical imbalances". I'm sure this concept doesn't apply to you at all because you're special and it's a fact because you have medication and a diagnonsense to prove it. Fine. Good for you. This isn't really meant for anyone but me anyway because I need to remind myself that I can control how I think about and react to my environment.

I've said it before but I will say it again for my own benefit - The key to managing my stress is in self care. Preventative measures seem to work best. For me, those preventative measures include maintaining an attitude of gratitude every day, getting enough sleep every night, eating a well balanced and healthful diet, regular vigorous exercise, spending time having fun with friends, quiet time reading or playing my guitar or meditating.

Long ago, I heard a Budhist theory that said the key to happiness is maintaining a healthy balance of adventure and tranquility in life. That stuck with me and I like to keep it in my mind as a life long goal. Every so often, usually when I revisit and revise my goals, I ask myself if I feel I have a healthy balance and if I'm lacking in either area, I shift my focus to better accomodate this theory.

Now if only I could figure out how to strike this balance between adventure and tranquility and maintaining it along with all the self care on a continuous basis through adversity and good times alike. If only...


LHAS Week 9
Weight Lost: 0.4lbs
Mins Exercise: 280