Others treat us the way we invite them to treat us. --Barb H.
Coping with stress is a lot more difficult than preventing it in the first place. If we think prevention, we can avoid a surprising number of stressful situations by thinking ahead and sidestepping. We dont have to have lunch with difficult or complaining co-workers, for example. We can take a walk at lunchtime or catch up on some reading.
We can limit our availability to other family members by telling them were off duty after 8:00 P.M. If we stick to it, the others will learn not to ask for late night help with homework or for a shirt to be ironed. We deserve quiet time to build up our reserves and to fend off stress. Giving all our time away is foolish, not virtuous. We can only expect others to respect our limitations if we are clear about our boundaries.
To stay healthy, we need to avoid, or at least limit, involvement in all unnecessary aggravations.
I will demand the time I need each day for myself.
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
This does not work for Mothers with young children unless you leave the house.... AA meetings at first, if nothing else... got me out of the house. There are so many things that AA has taught me, but this was big!
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
Hey Tasha, YOU were the first one I thought of when I read this this a.m. ... ... ... LOL ... yeah, I agree with the above in part, but many times I don't believe it to be practical ... I think the message is pure and simple, we all need some 'down time' or else other insanities can move into our heads ... we, especially, cannot allow daily activities to 'crowd out' our 'recovery thinking' ... ... ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'