How To Handle Stress

(1).  Reprogram Your Anticipated Reactions.

The reason why we sometimes get annoyed, irritated, aggravated, or pissed off at certain things, or people, is because we've been programmed to react that way.  Like cause and effect, we almost force ourselves to say "aw s--t I hate this" automatically in response to certain stimuli.  It's not that different from being hypnotized - we react to buzzwords without even thinking about it

If we unscrew the top of our heads and re wire our brains, we can fix this.  Don't assume it's going to be unpleasant.

(2).  Get perspective.

When we think small, little things can appear life-altering.  When we think big, little things are not unimportant, and not meaningless, but they're still little things.  Deal with them accordingly.

(3).  Make yourself relax.

Work out.  Run.  Meditate.  Anything you can to make yourself chill the hell out.  Twisted, worried, and copeless is no way to live.  AND IF YOU ARE LIVING THIS WAY, YOU EVENTUALLY WON'T.  

You owe it to everyone who comes into contact with you, and you owe it even more to yourself.  If you don't relax, life for you will be a sad, sad existence.  

(4).  Laugh.

Learn some jokes.  YouTube some videos.  Hang out with really funny people.  Lighten up!  Life's not perfect, but it's not so terrible either.

(5).  The Obvious.

If you haven't already done so, get rid of those who make your life unpleasant and replace them with those who don't.  At this point, it should be a no-brainer.

Enjoy!

You Deserve A Break!

Hi all -- now that all four football playoff games are done, and the Golden Globes are on, now's a good time to update the old blog!

It takes a certain amount of work to elevate yourself to new levels.  Accepting the Four Pillars, eliminating the parasites, saboteurs, and gangsters from your lives, and increasing your self-esteem are not as easy as our friends in the "I don't care" crowd would have us believe.  So what do we do when we're swamped?  Take a BREAK.

Last week, I had a break of sorts.  It was one I'd planned months before in order to run the Disney Marathon.  Away from my normal routine, I visited my parents down in Florida, went to Orlando for all three of us to enjoy the marathon, and was treated to a little extra rest and relaxation.  Once again, I thank my mom & dad for all their support! Not only did I use that weekend to compete in that marathon, I also used it for a little extra peace and introspection.

And this past weekend, I took another break.  I had a week off from running, and treated myself to a mini-junk food binge!  I'm not sure if the editors of Runner's World would agree, but most coaches will tell you that your body definitely needs to rest before you start running regularly again.  And so I have!  Of course, something tells me that by next week, that'll change.

The best thing about my breaks -- reconnecting with family.  Our past can only be our past, we can't live in it, and we can't go home again.  Even so, maintaining long-term relationships, especially with blood relatives, can still give us greater insight into who we are at present, and where we're going.  Your immediate family still knows you better than anyone else, and has the best perspective into the path you're taking, and can always advise you in the most supportive way.  You can still trust them more than anyone else.  So long as you remain true to them, they'll always stay true to you.

So I'd like to thank my folks for inviting me into your home recently.  I can assure you that those visits won't be the last.  The time I've spent with you has been rejuvenating, and I recommend the same to all my readers, to the extent it's possible to do so, no matter how young or how old you may be.  Through reunification and reflection with the family you grew up with, you're able to gain strength from the original source of life.  In doing so, you're able to rejoin the world stronger, more mature, and significantly wiser.

And it doesn't hurt to remind them, and yourselves, that:

I EXIST.  I MATTER.  I BELONG.  I DESERVE.

Feel free to comment!