Life is all about lessons. A lot of them. We’re running an obstacle course, folks, and there are times when it’s not fun. There are times when we’re running along feeling the wind in our face, hurtling over those obstacles and climbing ladders with ease. Then there are days when the rain pours while we’re trudging up a muddy mountain. It’s cold, it’s windy… yuk! We’ve seen a lot of those rainy days and a lot of mud lately. That’s life.
And, we have the emotions to deal with. The emotions are referred to as a bunch monkeys in some Eastern religions. Those monkeys are up and down and all over the place. It’s very difficult, to impossible to control a bunch of monkeys. Your emotional monkeys may get a bit out-of-hand when the going is rough. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Comfort yourself like the challenged person that you are.
Just knowing that life is meant to be challenging can help you through the bad times. Here are other ways to handle stress:
1, Meditation is key. I can’t imagine getting through a difficult time without it. Meditation is to the mind/emotions/spirit as a shower is to the body. It also helps you to focus and center yourself in the challenging and not so challenging times.
2. Exercise is a legal way of drugging yourself. Yes, endorphins do work. You’ll also notice that you’ll feel happier when your body is healthy. (How emotionally bad did you feel when you had that flu?) So, do yourself a very big favor and start or continue exercising.
3. Eat properly. It’s tough enough handling some situations with a fit body. Don’t make it harder by giving yourself bad fuel. You need the energy and physical health to handle these times.
4. Sleep. Get 7-8 hours. OK, at least 6! You won’t make it up the mountain without sleep.
5. Call on your support systems. If you don’t have any (Oh, come on now, you do.) read an inspirational book or listen to motivating music or a tape.
6. Two effective tools for dealing with challenge are a positive attitude and faith – pure knowing and understanding – that things WILL GET BETTER.
When they do get better, pat yourself on the back for a journey well taken. In fact, pat yourself on the back when you’re feeling bad. Feel proud that you handled or are handling the mountain. You are birthing a life. If you are alive, you’re handling it. You’re doing it. That’s what life is all about. Doing it. Learning from it. Love yourself for having made the journey.
Of course, there are those spectacular views at the top of the mountain, too. Not to mention, cheesecake, hummingbirds, baby kisses, mountain streams . . .
