Friday Five: Stress
I've been thinking about it a lot lately while experiencing it, trying to get a better handle on it. Do you ever get to that point where stress is so intense it's actually uncomfortable to be inside your skin? Then you start to see the whole world through the eyes of panic and emergency. I decided to look up some inspirational quotes about stress for today's friday five.
1. I kept coming across this one: "Stress is not what happens to us. It's our response TO what happens. And RESPONSE is something we can choose." Maureen Killoran
2. That quote seemed to me to be very annoying, because when you're stressed, it's really not easy to "choose" to not be stressed. But it really made me appreciate this one: "Stress is the confusion created when one's mind overrides the body's basic desire to choke the living daylights out of some jerk who desperately deserves it." Lol. Sorry, Maureen Killoran, that's how your quote made me feel.
3. But there were others that helped a little more. Like this one: "Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths" ~ Etty Hillesum. That's a good reminder. It's those little things that can make all the difference when life has you spinning out of your body.
4. I also like this one, even though it doesn't always apply to every stressful situation: "Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are." ~ Chinese Proverb. I think this one appeals to me because we spend so much time feeling like whatever we're doing isn't enough and that if we could work toward accepting that we're doing our best, we'd be able to calm down a lot more.
5. Then there's the famous Winston Churchill quote: "If you're going through hell, keep going." It's a good reminder that you're not just stuck in a difficult place, you're moving through it. Keep moving and you'll come out the other side.
And at the same time, keep this one in mind (a bonus quote 
) : "When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." ~ Charles Austin Beard. In other words, if you're in the dark place, try to look around a little, you might find that the shift in perspective allows you to see something remarkable you've been missing.
) : "When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." ~ Charles Austin Beard. In other words, if you're in the dark place, try to look around a little, you might find that the shift in perspective allows you to see something remarkable you've been missing. If you can, take the time to journal, even if it's just a few words here and there. Those few words just might be the breadcrumbs you need to lead you home.
Posted by Cheryl at 9/2/2011 9:52 AM 
Categories: friday five; life, life; inspiration; writing
Tags: friday five life inspiration
Categories: friday five; life, life; inspiration; writing
Tags: friday five life inspiration
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