Slowing down & taking care of yourself: Part 2 - Hope 103.2

Slowing down & taking care of yourself: Part 2

Morning Devotions is for those curious about the Christian faith and who want to explore Christian issues that relate to their daily life.

By Chris WittsSaturday 12 Oct 2013Morning Devotions with Chris WittsLifeReading Time: 0 minutes

Transcript:

Remember also what John Lennon wrote before he was gunned down: “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” We need to observe what is happening around us,and try to live a balanced life. If you’ve lived in France,you would know they have a 4 day working week. Not a bad idea?

Negative thoughts can destroy people. Maybe we should remember what Mark Twain once said .. “Most of the things we worry about never happen. That’s why insurance companies are rich.”

Sometimes a break can make all the difference. Stop for a little while,and relax ..
Don’t take yourself too seriously ..
Don’t take the weight of the world on your shoulders alone.

Remember the lessons from the geese;
As each bird flaps its wings,it creates an `uplift” for the following or trailing bird. By flying in a “V” formation,the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone. So,what’s the point?  People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are travelling on the thrust of one another- Whenever a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the “lifting power” of the bird immediately in front.

If we have as much sense as a goose we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go (and be willing to accept their help as we help them). When the head goose gets tired,it rotates back into formation and another goose flies to the point position. It realises that others can take the lead and share the responsibility. A good lesson for us to learn,too. And did you know the  geese in formation honk  behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Have you got someone in your life who encourages you and urges you on?   

I think it’s also important not to complicate life for yourself..
During the late fifties and throughout the sixties,seventies,and early eighties,the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged,among other things,in a race for supremacy in space. Early on,scientists at NASA realized that the ballpoint pen would not work in space because it relied on gravity. They felt this was a problem that needed to be solved so that the astronauts could make notes of their discoveries in space. A great deal of research over a long time and at much expense resulted in what has come to be known as the “space pen-” It does not require gravity and is now marketed as a pen that writes at any angle. When faced with the same problem of the conventional ballpoint pen,the soviets approached it from a very different perspective- they issued their cosmonauts pencils.
Try physical activity. When you are nervous,angry or upset,release the pressure through exercise or physical activity. Running,walking,playing tennis or working in your garden,or whatever you like doing .. these are just some of the activities you might try. Physical exercise will relieve that “up tight” feeling,relax you,and turn the frowns into smiles.
Remember,your body and your mind work together.
Share your stress. It helps to talk to someone about your concerns and worries. Perhaps a friend,family member,teacher or counselor,can help you see your problem in a different light. If you feel your problem is serious,you might seek professional help from a psychologist,psychiatrist or social worker. Knowing when to ask for help may help to avoid more serious problems later.

Know your limits. If a problem is beyond your control and cannot be changed at the moment,don’t fight the situation. Learn to accept what is for now,until such time when you can change it.

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Take care of yourself. You are special. Get enough rest and eat well. If you are irritable and tense from lack of sleep,or if you are not eating correctly,you will have less ability to deal with stressful situations. If stress repeatedly keeps you from sleeping,you should ask your doctor for help.

Make time for fun. Schedule time for both work and recreation. Play can be just as important to your well-being as work; you need a break from your daily routine to just relax and have fun.

Be a participant. One way to keep from getting bored,sad,and lonely is to go where it’s all happening. Sitting alone can make you feel frustrated. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself,get involved. Offer your services to a neighborhood or volunteer organizations. Help yourself by helping other people. Get involved in the world and the people around you,and you will find they will be attracted to you. You’re on your way to making new friends and enjoying new activities.

Make a list ..  Trying to take care of everything at once can seem overwhelming,and as a result,you may not accomplish anything. Instead,make a list of what tasks you have to do and do them one at a time,checking them off as they’re completed. Give priority to the most important ones and do those first.

Must you always be right? Do other people upset you – particularly when they don’t do things your way? Try cooperation instead of confrontation; it’s better than fighting and always being “right.” A little give and take on both sides will reduce the strain and make you both feel more comfortable.

It’s OK to cry. A good cry can be a healthy way to bring relief to your anxiety,and it might even prevent a headache or other physical consequence. Take some deep breaths; they also release tension.

Create a quiet scene. You can’t always get away,but you can “dream the impossible dream.” A quiet country scene,painted mentally or on canvas,can take you out of the turmoil of a stressful situation. Change the scene by reading a good book or playing beautiful music to create a sense of peace and tranquility.

The best strategy for avoiding stress is to learn how to relax. Unfortunately,many people try to relax at the same pace that they lead the rest of their lives. For a while,tune out your worries about time,productivity,and “doing it right.” You will find satisfaction in just being,without striving. Find activities that give you pleasure and that are good for your mental and physical well-being. Forget about always winning and focus on relaxation,enjoyment,and health. Be good to yourself.

Jesus is the best friend you can have,in finding the right balance in life.
Ask Him how to take proper care of yourself.