This is Day 8 of the 21-Day Positivity Challenge held in March 2012, where we work on being positive for 21 days. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the tasks.
21DPC Day 8 Question
Today’s positivity question is:
How Can You Overcome Your Stressors (from Day 7)?
(The things you cited on Day 7 bring you stress because you have not fully overcome them yet. What can you do to start overcoming them today?)
Your Task:
- Reflect and answer today’s question(s). Write as few or as many words as needed to fully express yourself.
- Implement what you wrote in #1. As you face the stressors from Day 7, whether today or in the future (and they will resurface, because unresolved obstacles will always be in our life until we overcome them), apply the solutions you identified today. Remember, baby steps are the way to go.
- Identify at least one positive thing about your day. It may be something small or something big – as long as you deem it as something positive, it counts. If you have more than 1 thing to share, then by all means, go for it!
Share Your Answers!
After you are done, share your answers in the comments area.
If you’re doing this at the start of the day, you can post your answer for today’s question first, then work on your positivity task throughout the day, then return at the end of the day to share your results for your positivity task and your end-of-day positive reflection.
Check out other participants’ answers. Pick 1-2 participants’ answers and make a meaningful reply to them. Engage in the discussions. This is a group course, so let’s support each other in these 21 days!
Look forward to reading your responses!
(Images: Happy girl in the field, Stress)
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I really think it’s time for me to change jobs. I have done everything I can to make the office a better place for patients, doctors and staff. You can’t make people be a team! It’s time to move on and hope I finally find a green pasture:)
Positive for the day – again lots of nice comments by people, I am a good knowledgeable person!
Well I am already doing this. I am in therapy and I stopped using my cell phone! Not having that instant communication has helped me a lot! It also means that I have more time “alone” – whenever i’m out of the house now I am just on my own. And feeling self-reliant again has made me feel a lot better.
I am going to work on getting out of the house when i *want* to and staying home when i *want* to instead of feeling like i *should*.
This means i have to be more conscious about whether i am doing something for myself or for others!
My positive thing for today (technically yesterday, this is late!) was enjoying a peaceful night at home and making dinner. I love to cook but find it really really hard to motivate myself to do that now. But I made a little something last night and it made me feel better.
I Leslie that sounds wonderful stopping the use of your cell phone! I am also in therapy, started this week and am realising how much I am holding on to from childhood. Also, although I still use my cell phone, I am resisting getting a smart phone as I think I would be looking at things online all the time. I have given up Facebook and twitter for a while. I found it depressing looking at people’s seemingly perfect lives on Facebook and I was following people on twitter who all seemed very cool and creative and all seemed to know each other and I ended up comparing myself to them and coming up short.
I like what you said about being aware if what you do is for you or in fact for other people, that’s an interesting thought. Glad you got back into cooking, it’s a real skill, coming from someone who doesn’t need to check her fire alarm (yes, I burn stuff THAT often ha ha!)
All the best,
Roses :)
Hi Roses,
It looks like we’re the opposite! I can’t give up Facebook and Twitter just yet but giving up my cell phone has been pretty easy. It’s been 2 weeks for me and I hardly think about it anymore.
I do understand comparing yourself to others on Facebook and am trying to work through that as well — though its really hard sometimes. Even if I “hide” people from my feed, I still, masochistly, will check out their profile anyway, then feel bad about myself. So I am impressed that you are able to have the willpower to get rid of that from your life! Congrats!
I’ve learned that when I go out on a Friday night because I think I “should” (ie: if i stay home, then im a loser), I end up not having a good time anyway!
Also, I have some easy recipes I could share if you want to try cooking again!
-leslie
Hi Leslie,
I would find it so hard to give up my cell phone as I am always organising my son’s care and who is picking him up and things like that. But in a way it can be a crutch, you know when you call someone just so you don’t need to be alone with your thoughts for that 10 minute walk or whatever.
I don’t miss Facebook and twitter too much, although I’ve been logging in to Facebook to access a couple of groups I find really valuable. So I try to avert my eyes from my timeline, go straight to the groups and so far I have ignored all the red notifications and messages! :)
Yes I’ve done the same with hiding people but still checking them out ha ha! Also, a friend has asked me to go out this Friday and I don’t really feel like it, am feeling that ‘I should go out or I’m a loser’ thing too!
Yes I’d love to see some recipes, anything simple, healthy and tasty! :) Thanks Leslie!
That is what the cell phone was for me — more of something that I could use to distract myself from ever having to think about anything! Instead of just standing in a line with my thoughts, I could bring out the phone and mindlessly play some game. However, I was also ignoring the entire world around me and never thinking about anything. I would also vest emotions into the number of people who contacted me through out the day, if any. And if no one texted me on any given day, then I was surely a loser! And everyone else had much more interesting lives than mine.
I feel a lot better not having that around now.
With going out… it’s a tough call because usually when you go out because you “should” you end up having a miserable time anyway and the whole thing feels like a waste BUT you still continue to do this weekend to weekend! Or at least I do!
Here is one easy recipe that is good for a snack:
1) Buy pita bread, brush one round of bread with oil/butter then sprinkle salt over the whole thing
2) Cut up the bread into pieces like a pizza
3) Lay the pieces close together but not overlapping on a cookie sheet
4) Bake in the oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees
Voila! Homemade pita chips!
Thanks Leslie that sounds very simple and tasty!
Yes I am probably going to give going out a miss, I have so many other things to sort out and I just don’t really feel like it! I guess I could see how I feel later though :)
That sounds like such a positive move with giving up your cell phone.
How is therapy going? I’ve had it before but this time around it’s much more focused on my family and upbringing and I’m hoping my increasing self-awareness will help me break free from unconscious behaviours that are linked to how I was treated in my early years. It feels strange questioning the things you have lived with for many years, but at the same time very freeing! :)
I have been in therapy over a year now. I put myself into it October 2010 when I had just ended a really bad relationship. I knew therapy was something I should have done a long time ago but wasn’t ready then. It started out good and helpful. I was making progress. Then BAM I got hit by this depression (mainly because of the sad things I was FINALLY talking about at therapy; things i had repressed for YEARS). And therapy has been a big help at getting through this. I absolutely cannot imagine being in a severe depression and not having therapy as an outlet.
Good luck with your therapy sessions and I truly hope that it helps you be the person you want to be and have the life you want to live!
My stressors:
My son not enjoying school. I worry about that and wish I could afford a Steiner school for him.
Overcome>Look into Steiner schools/alternatives, make a list of things I want to discuss/need from his teacher for parents’ evening next week, create a timetable for him, get up earlier, start meditating, be more patient and make sure I do not talk about his progress in front of him and keep on listening to him, talking to him and affirming his skills and abilities. These things should help his home life to be more structured and enjoyable which should help his overall happiness. I also want to accept him with all his quirks and stop trying to tell him to be quiet or sit still in certain situations for the benefit of other people. I want to pass down a positive legacy of love, fun, and healthy self-esteem to my son.
Not saving my money and feeling like why do I bother to go to work then!
Overcome>Go through my financial plan and create a budget for this month. Create a savings/paying back debts goal for the next six months. Continue with packed lunches, review direct debits (do I need them all?), activate savings store cards (never get round to this!), check if I am entitled to free school dinners for my son and come up with some ideas for earning an income on the side.
A heavy workload at work
Overcome>I have already said no to some new work which is now being outsourced. So I will continue to do that if and when necessary. I also want to look for something else for about 6 months time. I feel my work do not place much value on the quality of work and want me to rush everything. I am going to do my best while I am here and implement social media policy and strategy documents that I will soon be creating, leaving my mark on the company and being able to tell new employers what I have achieved. So, do my best within reason, ask for help when needed, create policy and strategy documents based on my ethics and experiences in online marketing, make a note of everything I do and have done, learn as much as I can while still here and look into what the next step will be.
A health problem that is irritating and unresolved
Overcome>I am on a waiting list to have this looked at. I could call them to see when the appointment will be, change to a different sanitary product and keep up my cleansing ritual and stay positive that the situation will improve.
Persistent dandruff>Request a repeat prescription of the shampoo I use, although it doesn’t help. Look up the condition online for other remedies or diet advice.
Mild scoliosis that is painful and I’m not sure which exercises to do and not do, so much on the internet!
Overcome>I have made an appointment with the SOS Scoliosis clinic for a consultation. In the meantime I can get my finances in order (treatment is £3000), think about taking a sabbatical from work or leaving (treatment is 4 weeks), research what exercises are safe and what other things might help. Also make a list of questions for my consultation.
Getting home late from work. I wish I had more time for my son.
Overcome>Male the most of the time I do have, speak to him on the phone more, think about cutting down hours and getting a new job closer to home.
My parents and how they parent my 13 year-old brother. I think they are causing him to develop low-self esteem. I want to help but when I intervene they don’t take it well. I want to be there for my brother more but don’t feel I am managing it.
Overcome>Ask my brother to help me with my clearout on Saturday. Not exactly thrilling but will give us an opportunity to chat whilst being away from our parents. Go through his ‘list of things he likes’ and update it with him as it has probably changed.
Being disorganised and feeling unfocused.
Overcome>Go back to my ‘mastress list’, tick what I have done and prioritise what is outstanding, maybe with stickers that can be moved around. I don’t think there is a quick and easy solution to this but having a clearout is definitely a positive step. So I’ll make sure I go over my list, do the clearout on Saturday and start meditating. I could contact my friend about a chanting meditation group. And there is an occult shop nearby that has a meditation room, I could use that at lunch times.
Wow, so much, but manageable if I just focus on the initial steps. Will report back on how I get on, wishing you all a wonderful day! :angel:
I have quite a lot to do to overcome my stressors, I’m going to stay in this evening and work on creating an expansive list of goals for all areas of my life and get clear about where I am headed.
But yesterday I did manage to do some things: I made a timetable for my son so he knows what’s happening, who is picking him up from schools etc. and I cooked and made a packed lunch to help me save money. Today I am going to check out the meditation room.
The best thing about my day was when my ex picked me up from the train station and drove our son and I home. My son was making us laugh singing along to different songs and adverts. And later after dinner when our son was in bed we sat on the sofa with some tea and I just felt so blessed to know my son was tucked up safe in bed and my ex and I could get along and focus on being great parents. :clap:
Positve thing for the day. The full moon is beautiful. I pondered it both last night and this morning.
I am generally fairly stress-free these days on my own account. I attribute this to yoga and meditation. What stresses me is other people’s stress. I seem to get infected by it. For instance, my husband is pretty tightly wound and he worries and stresses about almost everything. People at work stress about who is doing more work than someone else. Friends stess about relationships or finances. And so on.
The best way for me to deal with these external stressors is to detach and let the other people own their own stressors. Of course, I do what I can to relieve the situation that caused the stress when it is in my power to do so. For instance, my husband worries about finances. I do what I can to reduce cash outflow. This seems to work fairly well for me when I can succeed in detaching and then acting. Of course, sometimes this is easier said than done. ;)
Hi Cyndi,
I really admire you for committing to yoga and meditation, it’s clear that it works then if your only stress is that of other people. Also, with your focus on detachment I was wondering if you had been reading about Buddhism or anything like that?
In my ways to overcome stressors I found meditating would help with more than one of them.
What kind of meditation do you do and how do you fit it in into your daily routine? A friend of mine recommended chanting meditation, which I haven’t tried. In the past I have done silent and guided mediation and it helped me so much.
Thanks for reminding me of the benefits of meditation! :clap:
How Can You Overcome Your Stressors (from Day 7)
with more positive atitude towards things i overcome thee stresses..but this is off and on coz the stimulus persists :( :(
one positive thing for the day….i have pondered on nature,,saw birds,,watched evolvution of reptiles,,mammals…m a bit in a state of peace to day..made programms after exam…the more realistic sort… :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :dance: :heart:
I think we did it again — posting right after the other! That’s twice in a row.
Anyway, just wanted to say hi and hey I like your positive attitude today! I feel the sun has just come out and you are shining now. I hope you will stay in the light.
Faiza, There’s one great blog called The Daily Love which I want to recommend to you. I enjoyed reading this blog and have learned so much from it. The owner of the blog, Mastin Kipp talks a lot about self-esteem, self-love, relationship and stuff like that. I think you can benefit from it to. This is the website –> http://thedailylove.com/
I have a step-sister in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and her name is Faizah. No wonder your name strikes a chord in my heart.
Take care of yourself. :heart:
thanx asni…the main lack in me is dat i cant maintain a routine,,a continuos one,,daily self esteem and conscious level…ma english much poor….i read urdu books when i m stressed..may be u have heard name of ASHFAQ AHMAD(late)…he is just beyond all dese blogs…bt basic need of mine is continuos stimulus,,continuosly connected to source of energy,,according to my religion we have to believe unseen GOD,prophets,….. nd i feel complete lack of dat inner believe,,i offer prayer,,do thngs good bt the belive is not with me..the people who become muslim,,aftr any religion are more strong in their beliefs,,duties..i want the peak in ma world,,not this but after this,,but m soo lazy… :angry: :cry:
How I deal with my stressors:
* Untidy table/room/sink – breath first, calm my heart, roll up my sleeves and tidy it as soon as I can. Frankly speaking, I can ignore an untidy table or room and do it at some other convenient time, but a sink – NO! this I have to do immediately before I start cooking. The sink will just have to be clean and clear of all things before I start cooking or go to bed. Actually, not that difficult to overcome. It is manageable.
* Radio or TV turned on too loud – simple to overcome – just lower the volume if it’s mine or request it to be done if it belongs to someone else. Or if all that fail, remove myself from the scene and go to somewhere quiet and peaceful.
* People talking non-stop about nothing in particular – tell them to shut up and failing that, tape up their mouth! He he! Just kidding! This usually happen while sitting in a bus or the train. It can either be two friends talking to each other or one person talking on a handphone! If I can’t shut out the sound from my ears, I just move myself to another seat available or pray that they will get off soon! :mrgreen:
* During my son’s exam time — give him all my support and prayers and not fuss so much. He’s a smart boy and I should have more confidence in him. :cool:
Identify at least one positive thing about your day.
* seeing the lovely image Celes has on today’s challenge — imagining myself in that peaceful, beautiful, calm place!
* reached out to someone today – I hope that what I said made sense to her and that it will have some positive impact on her.
* looking forward to my favorite tv program after dinner this evening.
:hug: :hug:
This is a great question!!! If someone finds the answer, please tell me. (Sorry for the sarcasm.) Speaking objectively, my mom will pass soon. The extreme pressures on my body, physically, will be gone. And, truthfully, I do not know how it will be then. I cannot answer more….
Positive thing: My mom is still here this morning
Helene, My prayers are with you. :hug:
What stresses me is being dependent so much on other people’s approvals of my decisions- rooting down to lack of self confidence. How can I overcome this – the long term reply is by gaining my self confidence and also approving myslef, rather than waiting to be approved by others. MY action points will be as below
1. make a decision trusting yourself, not thinking about and trying to guess what will suit to others best
2. If someone criticise me about my decision I will simply say ” Thank you for sharing your thoughts but this is my call and I made the decision which I think is the best”
If this is related to my job I can give the reasons of my decision in detail if requested
I think good way to start up :)
My positive things for today
My throat sore is gone
A bright sun in the sky
My life, at the moment, is very much concerned with learning about how I stress myself. I don’t see it as ‘overcoming’ my stressors though. That kind of imagery is not useful to me. I see it more as getting to know my stressors and finding out what messages they have for me.
For example, I was very stressed out about work – not sleeping, working longer and longer hours, worrying endlessly, feeling victimised, scared, finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate etc etc. Eventually I just couldn’t cope any longer and I have just been pensioned off early on ill health grounds. I really wish I had listened to those stress signals earlier as, for me, they were warning me that I was not living in an authentic way. This was really true as I have a disability which is hidden in that it can’t be identified when just looking at me. After lots of surgery I was so grateful and pleased to be alive that I refused to think about it at work, even though, physically, it took huge amounts of effort to appear ‘normal.’ I was not living authentically though and did not heed the stressor signs which eventually became so marked that I had to stop work.
I feel a million times better now, although finances are very tight, and if I start getting stress signs nowadays (racing heart beat, breathless, a feeling of dread etc) I take notice and ask myself how I am not being authentic. I am guided in life by how my body is being.
Implementing this today – I have started going to a yoga class – this is one way in which I am looking after myself and I go each Thursday – which is today. It calms me down. I will also have at least half an hour’s walk which always makes me feel better about life. Most days too, I do morning pages (started by the author Julia Cameron in her book The Artists Way) – it’s where you write down whatever’s on your mind for a few pages and it’s like clearing away the dross each day. I really recommend it.
The main thing for me is to aim to consciously check in with my body several times a day (I often forget) and see how I am. My body never lies! Then, as best I can, wherever I am, I try to make my body feel better. Often it’s simply by acknowledging that I am feeling anxious (for example) and reassuring myself and speaking kindly to and about myself.
One positive thing about my day – I was up in the early hours this morning and went outside because there was/is a full moon and it was so big and huge and perfect and stunning and beautiful. And the stars were so clear and bright – I felt very glad to be alive. :)
Hi L,
After reading the above I realse how difficult a journey it must have been for you to have to retire prematurely, on ground of health. As I understand this was provoked by a work environment which has ,not only been stressful but often time hostile.
The good news,however is that you are feeling lot better, even if your material resources have been reduced. It is hoped that you will always maintain the present state of physical and mental vitality.
That a problem is big or small depends on one’ ability and inner strength.In time of trial we need to be equipped with a mindset where you say to yourself ,’if others can make it why can’t I.And the trick is done.
Dear P. Callychurn,
Thank you so much for reading my post and taking the time to reply and, yes, I agree with you about developing ability and inner strength. I’m working on being very encouraging towards myself at the moment! And your words have encouraged me some more!
I was moonbathing under that same moon, Lottie, and basking in all that beauty too! :D I first saw the moon rising over the mountain as I was having an ocean swim before sunset. :heart:
.
You have described the scene beautifully! And those two planets that were in exquisite alignment…that was really something as well! :heart: I realize that even though we are individuals and live in our own worlds, none of us are ever really truly alone in this world of ours….we are all together under the moon, the sun, the stars….maybe at different times…..but there we are, together, sharing beauty, having/sending beautiful thoughts, and so on…. :heart:
I share the same thoughts with you about seeing what messages my body is telling me, if I listen. And to see what is to learn from “stressors”…what I need to do differently. I am certainly always in the process of listening, looking at things with different perspectives, and seeing how I translate whatever that teaching is into my daily life.
I appreciate that you are honoring yourself with your kind, assuring words to and about yourself. Good reminders for me. Also, that you are taking care of yourself by doing yoga, walking, and writing “Morning Pages” sounds really wonderful!
Disabilities, surgeries, and many other things are certainly “wake up calls”! “Was not living authentically and did not heed the stressor signs” surely could be words that describe what has been my experience! I have learned the hard way that if I don’t pay attention to signs and signals, the consequences just keep getting steeper!
I am so glad you have made it through BIG challenges, and that you have come so far to this point, and that you are “keepin’ on keepin’ on” in such an aware way.
I’m too am so glad that you are alive, Lottie! :D
:heart: from a fellow moonbather ;)
Hello Bette,
“I too am so very glad you are alive, Lottie” – what a fantastically lovely and generous thing to say – you’ve no idea how much your words have moved me. Thank you very much indeed for responding to what I wrote – I really appreciate it. And yes, it is extremely heartening to be aware that there are others who are also loving the beauty and mystery of the moon and the stars and the planets, and giving thanks too.
It’s a real privilege to be doing this Challenge with you. Good luck on your journey and I’m glad you are tuning in with your body too – I’m sending lots of courage and friendship your way.
Yes, we ARE so fortunate to be here… “here” here, on PE, and here in this life, breathing our way as we travel along our journeys.
Thank you, Lottie, for your well wishes…the abundance of courage and friendship you send, I hold close to my heart. :D
As each one of us advances, so does the whole of humanity move forward.
This is so heartwarming….
:heart:
One can never enumerate all the areas which are stress prone. This is the age of stress, if I may say so. In my childhood days, I never ever heard anyone mentioning the word stress. Nor did I ever realise I was ever stressed. Yes. Life was difficult, a constant struggle. Like a bird we would go out in the morning, not knowing if we shall be able to earn or get something to fill our stomach..It was a do or die situation, and we almost always ended up, even at the cost of exploitation, to have some means of livelihood. If nothing was forhtcoming we would climb a wild fruit tree, and eat , often over -eat whatever nature had to offer to us.In those days sugar-cane was the crop of the island and during harvest time ,and even earlier, we would fill our stomach with cane juice, in lieu of a meal. That was often a collective initiative among peer groups, giving rise to a lot of fun and guffaws as the juice would make noise inside like stirring water in abucket. When we had something, it was our luck,when we did not ,it was destiny.But no stress . Yes we had the cyclone, and our house was blown away, and I had to shareaccomodation ina cowshed. Later when you relate all this you occupy the stage like a hero. This is also to say that the difficulty in life was an everyday challenge, not a cause of frustration, no envy or competition,as solidarity and mutual support were the driving force in the family and in the community. We could dance in the rain with no complaint that there is no roof on the head. Its possession and ego that seperates and dwarf the intellect of the individual or the group and therefore alll these maladies arising out of what we have come to term as stress. No patience , no tolerance, a kind of rat race to possess as much as soon, a kind of sacrifice of the present with all it has to offer, against an illusiory future on which there is no control. And when that future comes in the form of the present, the selfishness, the egoism is yet stronger. The thought does come to us that we may not utilise all that we have accumulated, resulting in amore cruel level of stress.
Most importantly we suffer from stress because we have forgotten that we are an integrated part of nature which is always therapeutic. That is why when we go to the sea-side,in the forest on a picnic near alake with birds and flowers, we let go our joy and express a feeling of intense relief and well being.
BACK TO THE SOURCE, counsels the sage.
Beautiful comment! Very very beautiful… makes you think it does…
Yes, stress seems to be a modern day malady… I wonder where it comes from exactly… what is it that causes us all this stress? We have just about everything we could possibly want and so few things to fear that could actually physically endanger us… yet we’re more stressed than ever…
I always wonder if it’s because of all the “invisible enemies”… stressors that are hard to define and thus hard to face, so our bodies are constantly under stress, without having any single situation that resolves it…
In the stone age your biggest worries were finding stuff to eat and not getting eaten yourself. If you were chased by a sabre-tooth tiger you’d be under physical stress, if you escaped or killed it, the stressor would be removed and you’d no longer be under stress…
I feel there are too few situations nowadays in which our stress can be relieved… so we have a constant underlying stress level that slowly wrecks us… Maybe that’s why exercise makes us feel better, be put our body under physical stress, which is then resolved when we rest…
My theory :) Or part of it xD If that even made sense…
Thank you for having read my posting. I had decided to go about the issue in an unconventional manner by taking a broader perspective arrived at from individual experience, a sample you might say of the then social environment of the time with no road,notap water,and of course no electricity, preceded by thousands of years of great times. The fact that it retained your attention in so encouraging words is ,finally a plus point onto your account. Your positive response is indeeded greatly appreciated. I amy come back again
Hi P.
This really is a beautiful comment, Ffion is right. I am interested to know if you grew up on an island with sugar cane and if so which one? My friend is from Dominica in the West Indies and your description of Island life reminds me of his description of the island: laid back and naturally abundant.
I grew up in Donegal, Ireland, a very rural area with tiny little lanes instead of streets. We didn’t have much but then again, we had sooo much. Our back yard had a small garden that bordered on fields and a huge mountain. There were sheep and even horses. When I think back, I remember how alive I felt.
So now, living in a city, as I walk past trees I feel like I commune with them and they ease my eyes and heart, reminding me of how alive it is possible to feel. :angel:
The island referred to is Mauritius where I was born, grew up ,and still live. Yes, in those days ,the colonial days,sugar was the main product and principal foreign exchange earner. Occupied by the Dutch,then the French ,and finally the Britishers who ruled over the island, hardly 1500 sq.Kms. The sugar production was developed by our colonial masters, for their convenience.We became independent in 1968. English and French are the main languages, though English is the official language. As you may be knowing already, we have a population of 1.2 million people, comprising people from India, Africa, China and ,of courses, Europeans. In the wake of Industrialisation and modernisation, sugarcane still remains our indegenous Crop.More importantly it provides a balance between the concrete jungles that are coming up , and a large rural environment. Among othes, In the last decades, Mauritius is becoming a sought after place as a Tourist destination. Only this week it has been awarded the best honeymooners resort..
Regards
Mauritius sounds really beautiful although of course there is the colonialism aspect to deal with which isn’t easy (Ireland also suffered under British rule). I’m glad the sugarcane is keeping some parts still rural, is it very different now from your initial description?
Hello Roses,
On the 12.3.12 the Republic of Mauritius will celebrate its 44th. independence anniversary and the Chief Guest will be the President of Seychelles.Colonialism is no more an issue now. On the contrary,English and French as National languages offer to us the privileged opportunity to beadaptable in both English and French speaking countries, creating profitable outlets in terms of job opportunities and of course Tourism.
The sugar sector is here to stay. With the withdrawal of the Sugar Protocol facilities by the European Community, Mauritius is trying to re-invent itself with emphasis on agro-industries to miimise the negative effect of thedecrease in the sugar price. We are going through some hard time mostly as a consequence of the Euro crisis, and its impact on small island economies.
BACK TO THE SOURCE, counsels the sage.
OHHH, Callychurn, I am lovin’ that!!! :heart: And placing it in my heart, where, with each heartbeat, I breathe more fresh air, swim in oceans and rivers and lakes, eat fresh food from my garden, and listen to the birds and smell the delicious aromas of this beautiful earth. And do what all I can to keep our precious Mother Earth safe! :heart:
I have received so much from your post, (and others’ comments to it) and thank you for taking the time to relate your personal experience on your island. And the way in which you have expressed your story is greatly heartwarming to me. I can just see you climbing that wild fruit tree, hear the “fun and guffaws,” and see and feel the dancing in the rain. :D :heart: :D
I truly feel that the direction we are heading in now is back to the earth, back to BASICS, and entering the land that we have so gone overboard with.
Your words got me to thinking more about “stress”** and how a certain amount of stress is needed in order to hold things together, so to speak. So “stress” is not necessarily a bad thing,,, it just IS. It is when there is an overload or excess that creates problems.
I also never heard the word “stress” or “stressed out” when I was in my young, growing-up years. Interesting how we, as a society, have created situations in the names of “advancements” that have led to humanity’s set-backs! Hmmm…surely gives cause for pause….**(btw, i wrote about this and more comments re how your post got me to thinking in my Addendum, which, in its complete form, is on page 3)
So! Brilliant, P.Callychurn, just brilliant! I feel like I have just had a feast, so fulfilled am I with your generous story, and the wisdom lying within. :D
SO happy for these words you spoke,
And my deep gratitude you receive I hope!
:heart:
Hi Bette,
I am sorry. I did respond to your affectionate reponse but it would seem ,there was a local problem of communication disabling probably the transmission of my note of appreciation and gratitude. In an earlier version, I had written about my disillusionment about politics and religion which did not go through. Fortunatelu for me I opted for what you read and the response has been such that I can only say it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. When I read your submission it did hit me hard because I could figure someone who went through rough time indeed, and it is only your faith, and spiritual strength that sustained you so that you are here alive and kicking, as the expression goes. With this forum as a moral booster and your own determination to get over every obstacle ,I am positive that you too will dance in the rain.On my part I will include you in my prayer.
SO glad to hear from you, P.C…there may have been a local snafu with communication that disabled transmission, but there is only the greatest communication that we are engaging in! :D
Yes, interesting that the politics/religion disillusionment writings did not go through…would that the corruption found within those establishments/areas of life would vanish!!!
Yes, there are many blessing in disguise, I quite agree…sometimes i find myself reminding myself about that…and yes, I am SO grateful for my faith and spiritual strength that has sustained me through all kinds of hardship and challenges. Would not be here today otherwise. Keeps me moving forward!
And with people like you here, Callychurn, obstacles become stepping stones to my goals and dreams becoming realized! Thank you so much for your positives and prayers! I appreciate that more than words can say.
The visual of me dancing in the rain is a great one! Love that! :heart:
Yes, I too am so grateful for Celes :bow: , and her vision, and her creating a place where we can come together to grow individually and as a group of like-minded souls. :dance:
Being positive, not thinking to much and being more courageous and confident. im working on that but sometimes i seem to have got not so far from where i was before esp in confidence, one step forward five steps backwards…and jogging or listening to music helps but thts only a temporary measure..maybe reading books about people like me or self help books abt being courageous and daring to live..thts how found this blog..one positive thing abt my day is tht my classes start at 11 nt 8 or 7 as they do on the other days of the week
To stop thinking so much I know I need to be present. This is easier said than done. But I know it’s a matter of smelling the air, feeling the touch, and using my senses… It’s a practice, a practice that I need more practice with. I did try to just watch my movie tonight instead of fidgeting and thinking… I was aware and that’s all that matters = )
My bestrfriends’ daughter’s birthday is today, and she sent me a picture of her = )
DAY 8
As I have already written, it is all about staying awake (to reality), and do all I can to be independent, healthy and fit, standing on my own two feet.
Trusting myself is the way to go on this, because I am the only person that can really BE there for me.
Acceptance is always key, a pivotal attitude, and I welcome that attitude.
And I hope that my friend will at some point tally up the loan and we can come to a solution that is doable.
Positivity for the Day
I thought the ocean was challenging the last time I was there. THIS time, it was over-the-top challenging, with currents going every which way! Never known the Caribbean to be like this! Anyway, I went in a gave my best to a workout for about 1/2 hr. I swan my strongest, and I stayed in the same place…it was THAT strong!
We decided to go to another one of our fave beaches, and hope the surf would be calmer. We did, and it was .There I was in the water swimming, for another hour. Wonderful to see the sea birds feeding and flying, looking for that last meal of the day.
I was focused on my swimming and exercise, and the birds, and the amazing clouds in the sky being colored at sunset in the most delicate ways. I swam further than ever at the second beach, because I kept my eye on the goal.
I emerged from the sea, tired and chilly, but more strong and more slender than I was when I went in. I embrace my exercise time, because it strengthens me and it releases endorphins, and after my workouts, I am closer to my goal. Each time, I am grateful for the consistent progress I am making. And enjoying myself along the way to my goal! :heart:
:dance:
P.S. I just read Lee’s post, and it reminded me how important it is to implement keeping my life’s purpose, goals, and dreams in the front of my mind every day! Also, I used to say “Thank You” for my first words or thoughts upon awakening, haven’t done that as much, and Lee’s post reminded me that I like doing that. Living FROM and IN that ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. I’d also like to have that as my “last” thought before sleep. :D
WHAT I THINK ABOUT, EXPANDS!!!
“I FOCUS ON WHO I AM, AND WHY I’M HERE”
EVERY DAY,
ALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
I keep an ONGOING GRATITUDE LIST. I keep counting my blessings!
I STAY ON TRACK…i.e. with healthy food plan, daily exercise/physical activity, healthy positive thinking/attitude, being engaged in practical solutions of the things before me, and BEING FULLY PRESENT in all these moments of my life!
Put my VISION BOARD where I can see it before me, Update it whenever I need to.
Put the AFFIRMATIONS where I can SEE them,
Read UPLIFTING books,etc.
OBSERVE my thoughts:
I pay attention to my body, LISTENING to any messages that my BODY is telling me.
I mine the pearls of my INNER WISDOM.
FIRST THING, when I wake:
I say “Thank You.”
I recall/write down any dreams and reflect on any messages.
I meditate.
I read my life purpose and goals
I write any thoughts that come up for me…..
THROUGHOUT THE DAY
I practice SMILING (it relieves stress, it’s contagious, ;) it looks good, it feels good, it IS good!!! :D :D :D ;)
I lighten up with LAUGHTER
I do LOTS of things that I LOVE and make me HAPPY:
Visiting with friends :hug: ,
Phone/email a friend :D ,
Listen to favorite music :heart: ,
Exercise :dance: :D :heart:,
Enjoy a meal fixed in a new way,
Read/write inspiring things :D :angel: :heart: ,
Open more fully my heart and soul to Mother Nature, listening to her simple yet profound
messages :heart: :angel: :heart:
BEFORE SLEEP
I read my life purpose, dreams, goals.
I write down what I’ve done that brings me closer to realizing my goals.
I answer these ?s:
1. What did I like/love about the day today?
2. What did I do for someone else?
3. What could I improve/do better?
4. What am I grateful for?
I visualize myself at goal weight, strong, slender, riding my bike, :D hiking in favorite places, :D autographing the book I’ve authored, etc. :D
I say “Thank You”
zzzzzzz…… :heart: :angel: :heart:
Please note:
I didn’t think this posted (there was trouble with the server)…so I con’t to make my Addendum to DAY 8, and THAT completed Addendum landed on page #3. ??? My oh my….okay, well, there you have it! :D
No harm done….it’s all good!….. :D
As if THIS is not a long enuff Addendum!!!!! ;)
P.S. Just receiving so much from reading others’ posts…THANK YOU EVERYONE! :dance: :D :heart:
as i know how i get stressed,as i know to overcome my stressors.well first of all i daily do some breathing exercise with other aerobics or strength exercise.this practice keeps me little away from stress. another way when stress gets on my nerve i simply fill my mind with positive thinking.i select which work or thing is more important than other,what to do first & try to eliminate causes that keep me stressful. thinking like that i found very helpful right now unlike my past. in my past when i was stressed my mood was off.not smiling nor talk to anyone at last at the end of the day i was getting a headache.today i am a changed person.relax & happy. :D
a positive thing of the day is my husband praised me in the morning.
How can i overcome my stress??
1.I need utilise the spare time which i get during my office hours to acquire other professional qualification in my field or look out for another job which is really interesting and also helps me to enhance my knowledge too :)
2. At home, as Sushan as mentioned in her, i need to accept what my hubby is and i need to over come my complaining attitudes towards him. Also i need to develop positive attitude while cleaning up the chores and messes in my home, after all its my home and who can i expect to do the same…… :) Now for past few days i am in the process of accepting what i have mentioned above….:) :clap:
3. With to regard to my break in Yoga Practise, i am quiet aware long time ago itself i NEED TO GET UP EARLY in order to do the same which keeps me healthy..:) But gettting up early in this cool climate was a big problem :)
As this is my start of the day, Positivity i will update at the end of the day…:)
1. I meditate and exercise daily as to not go insane at work. I also have people I can talk to. (The situation has come to a head, meaning I have to meet with my bosses’ bosses. Not good when you are low on the totem pole but okay because these higher-ups like me. Hopefully I can get somewhere.)
2. Although not good, I was so mad today that I punched a wall. It relieved a lot of stress!
My Daily Positivity:
Watching my pet rat clean himself. He is the most meticulous rodent ever!
A pigeon was perched on someone’s car in the parking garage today. He was cooing away. Not sure if he was sleeping but he sure looked happy and comfortable.
A customer called me an angel from heaven. That is the second time this year a customer has said that to me. Melts my heart every time. :love:
You should be careful with punching walls, (although it’s something I often feel like doing). I know a guy who managed to break his hand by doing that.
Aw, rodents cleaning themselves are soooo cute XD
Smiles — Maybe consider investing in a punching bag — ?
It might help save you money, broken bones and you still get to de stress ..
Just thinking out loud
:)
My stressor is kind of hard in ways to overcome. There isn’t a magic tree that creates gold coins, or leaves that blossum dollar bills. The closest thing to that would be working with my buddy in his lawn business pulling weeds, which can be backbreaking work and very spurratic. That though is one of the ways that I can overcome my stressor is to get a new second job. Currently I work 40 hours a week, but with the coming divorce and other issues it just isn’t enough. My bigger goal though is to prove myself here enough to warrant a raise from the bosses. No point in adding an extra 20 hours to my week just for a couple hundred bucks and killing myself in the process. I can also cut out something from my life, or reduce the space I use by either getting a roommate or moving in with someone. These are all options I have weighed recently with no real clue as to what the final outcome will be.
The positive thing of my day was taking some time with a friend to play a round of disc golf. Think frisbee but you are shooting kind of like in golf towards a basket. There are even different disk for each shot like drivers and putters. Normally I am horrible at driving and not much better with the short game. Today though I let everything go and actually shot a decent round. Step in the right direction.
My stress is mostly with leaving things undone until last minute and clutter around you..
always on the edge..
Some time I treat it as Challenge but I ma wrong..
The panic I create due to my own mistakes is affecting my colleagues and most important My loved one!!
NO MORE
I decide to face the situation and do th ethings that need to done..
Positive
Getting early morning ..Breathing fresh air and beautiful sun shine..Must enjoy lovely life..
Thanking God for that..
Iqbal shah
Today was a rough day car broke down. Late to work, boss is pretty negative and puts you down usually I ignore and make everyone laugh. He got to me today big time.
A positive thing I have a job!
1. career- appreciate for every opportunity and keep learning. stop comparing..learn to contribute more.
2. travel plan- start researching, planning, book air ticket, book accommodation, plan well..
3. investment- start planning for investment plans.
4.clearing out all the past history and leave rooms for new people, new life.
For me, I guess most important is learn to care less of what others say, appreciate everyday life, make proper plans and live a good life…
positive thing:
– had lovely breakfast.
– write the gratitude diary.
-receive messages from good friend.
-communicate with sister.
-listen to good music.
My stressor will come to an end in June when I graduate from school. In the mean time I can eliminate most of the stress by staying on top of my homework! Staying ahead of the game will really help keep the stress at bay.
I had a Terrific day at work & I was able to bring joy to a co worker by sharing the quotes from PE. The weather here was absolutely beautiful & my husband brought me the most gorgeous roses just because. Who could have anything bad to say about a day like that?
My reported stress yesterday was when my husband makes a mess in the house and I end up cleaning it up so I can have a clean house. Since I can’t change him, or even convince him to pick up the mess (I’ve tried), and since I can’t stop from picking up the mess myself, because I want to be able to relax in a clean house, then the only thing left to do is not let it bother me so much. I can focus on something else, like some positive thing in my life, while I am cleaning. My standard question to turn things around is “What’s good about this?”. Well at least I am *capable* of cleaning up the mess. My neighbor in a wheelchair who is parlyzed by MS cannot pick up a mess if she wanted to. And at least I have a house to come home to. Some people are homeless and would love to have a house to clean. Etc. I just have to work at it.
A positive thing about today — I started a new book and it’s very captivating. Can’t wait to read more. And I’m so happy I have time to read. And my step son visited today and was nice to me. A welcome change from his terrible attitude while he was growing up. Wonders never cease.
I deal with stress by taking the stressful situations as a challenge, overcome. At the same time I think of the things I am truly thankful for and of how happy I will be when I accomplish my goals.
Most stress is created in our own individual minds. When I deal with the stress and apply my goal accomplishments, the stress level is reduced or is gone.
Joe
To overcome my stressors, I get outside your comfort zone and FACE them as often as possible.
The best way I can do that is to take a minute to breathe and realize that no one puts more pressure on me than ME!!! if I break things down into small portions it is easier for me to eat the whole pie. Iget so overwhelmed that I invite the stress into mt life and that’s just silly… :D
So well said Michelle, love the comparison, it definitely makes sense!
Take care
i go the the gym – and if i have to I go back to the gym – exercise is key
How Can You Overcome Your Stressors (from Day 7)?
I think the best way to overcome my stressors (money and school), is to take everything one day at a time, and not get caught up on things. I do my best to budget my money and finish my schoolwork as soon as possible. After that there’s not much else to do.
Positive things today:
Today was my day off, so I got to sleep in!
I agree taking one day at a time is certainly the best we can do. All the best Laurel!
Thanks! You too!
I learned long ago that the best antidote to stress and worry is action. Knowing and doing seem to be two different things. If I have too much to do, the best way to deal with it is to start in and not be overwhelmed by what’s left. I think I AM getting better at this. One thing that’s helped me cope is keeping my to-do- list short. I love lists, but it’s discouraging and stressful when there are twelve things on it and I only get two or three done.
Recently, I’ve implemented “Don’t Break the Chain,” http://lifehacker.com/5886128/how-seinfelds-productivity-secret-fixed-my-procrastination-problem I only have two things on the list right now, but it’s going extremely well. Even on a bad day, I can get something done.
I have a tendency to be all-or-nothing when it comes to work, so it takes a different kind of discipline to be content with just doing a little bit every day, but even over a 10-day period, just doing a little bit really adds up.
Positive thing for today: I weighed myself and lost 9 lbs in the past month! Some of that was probably because our lives were in upheaval, and I have trouble eating when I’m worried, but now that things have settled down, I’ll use the momentum to carry me forward.
Hi Christina,
The link you referred to seems quite interesting thanks for sharing. I also have the same tendency- all or nothing – and working on overcoming this
Congrats on your losing weight and wish you happy and healthy days!
ugi
Thank you!
‘Don’t break the chain’ sounds fantastic :) I used to use a website called idonethis.com, which emails you at the end of every day getting you to reply with what you’ve got done. Now I just have a diary that I write everything down in at the end of the day, but it’s the same principle. Having a string of Xs or ticks on a calendar, or a diary entry for every day, is a great motivating factor :)
Congratulations on the weight loss, too! :dance:
Oooh, I’ll have to check out that website. I love nifty tools like that. Thanks!
Really nice and practical way to overcome the stress
I’m getting a bit ahead of myself here, as it’s still the 7th (only for another 20 minutes though!) but I thought that seeing as Day 7’s answer is still fresh in my mind, I could make a start on this one.
I said that it was not having control in a situation that stressed me out – having plans change at the last minute, or receiving bad news I’m not expecting. I’m working on developing a ‘first aid’ response to situations like that, where my first instinct is to panic and react blindly. I try to take a couple of deep breaths, calm down physically before looking at the situation as objectively as possible and working through all the possible options before I take action. Learning to meditate has really helped me control those first pesky panicky thoughts, too!
I would really like to find the time to meditate more often, so I think that’s how I’ll start with the task for today. I’m having a bit of a lazy day, working from home (yesterday’s task being to ‘take a break!’) so I’ll get half an hour or so of meditation in there, too. I’ll also keep working away at my goals, because when I’m being productive and achieving what I want to, I feel a lot happier and calmer :)
I know I should be doing this tomorrow, and so I might have another positive thing to add by the end of the day, but I did want to share one positive thing. I don’t want to go into too many details in a public place, but I finally showed some assertion and sent an email that I’d been dreading. I actually faced up to a difficult situation instead of running away and hiding! Baby steps, but I’m learning :dance: I feel so relieved, and I guess empowered. I think back on times where I didn’t face up to things, and it actually ended up being really damaging in the long run. I’m glad that I seem to be improving in that aspect of my life.
That working on assertiveness can only help the stress levels, too – if I feel confident enough to say ‘no’ when things get too much, I think I’ll feel far more positive about situations where I don’t have control. After all, I’ll be giving myself a bit more control, not just handing it all over to other people :)
Have a great day/night everyone!
Oh, those first panicky thoughts are so hard to deal with! A biofeedback therapist once told me that I’m a “hot reactor,” which means that panic impulse can be right at the surface. Deep breaths, deep breaths, and try not to cry right away, lol I need to work on the meditation, too.
Good for you for being assertive! The more you do it, the easier it gets, and once people start to expect it from you, the less you’ll have to do it overtly.
I have not posted my answer yet but thought I would read some of hte others suggestions on how to handle for ideas. I feel like i should copy and paste yours to get the real feel for how to overcome mine. I like the comment on hot spots, I am sure i must have them as well because comments ” trigger” me and hurt me for some reason.
I like the idea of being a bit more assertive, I am just so afraid of losing people in my life, esp those that I love, its hard to say tp them, what the ……………….
I will work on my answer but yours is very self applicable for me..
Smiles – Good Luck to you
You know, I get that too – sometimes, things that people say can really hurt me, and I have no idea why! I feel a bit silly, especially when I take it way too seriously – and I find myself having to really dig deep into my past to find out what’s causing it. In a way it’s good, because it points to issues from the past that obviously haven’t been resolved, and when they affect the present, it’s definitely something I need to work on!
I’m glad you found you could identify with my answer :) All the best of luck and many good wishes to you, too!
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