This observation seems self-evident yet I often see people making this their primary stress management plan. Do you know someone who goes through their litany of stressors and you think, “that’s just life happening” – slow traffic, sick kids, disagreements at home, pressure at work.
And the implication seems to be that if they could just avoid all of the “life happening,” they wouldn’t feel stressed; they’d have more peace.
Well, maybe.
I remember feeling that way years ago; but then I realized that everything I felt frustrated or stressed about WAS my life, and I couldn’t avoid it all. And even if I could, what would I have left?
It occurred to me that maybe the problem wasn’t “life happening,” but my perspective of it and lack of coping skills. In the ensuing years, I can say I have found it more effective and empowering to change my perspective than to avoid life.
THIS is what I help others do as well.
In honor of April being Stress Management month, I invite you to consider how you experience “life happening.” It’s not that real stress doesn’t occur in life – it absolutely does – but if we’re overwhelmed with daily life, how will we ever deal with a real tragedy? Or rise to the occasion when we want to be there for someone else?
You CAN find more peace without avoiding life. Begin today.