Stressing My Life

It's been quite rough in recent times, and it doesn't appear that the road will get smoother soon. Food prices, store prices, and other goods and service prices are inflated, but income has plateaued, and the mind has deflated like a tire. The problem is that a deflated tire on a rough road doesn't make things feel better, so what do you do? What do you do when you get on that dirt road with dips, hills, potholes, and sharp curves?

I've learned that when we can't change the circumstances, we still have the opportunity to change the vehicle, the equipment, and other things that will help ease the unwanted stress. Now the question is, how do we do that?

For starters, we must remember that stress is not solely due to one matter in life. Stress is comprised of multiple factors that lead to a focal point assembled in your mind. For example, financial stress is due to multiple bills, human needs, maintenance, other obligations, and desires. We can interchangeably switch out financial stress with relationship stress, job stress, and other stressors.

Next, we must identify the main stressor we want to lessen or eliminate. Once we do that, we must identify the various factors that cause or exacerbate that stressor. Here is when it gets tougher. We must look at each factor independently and deeply ask ourselves, Why do I perceive this the way I do. Furthermore, how can I change my perception of this matter, or how can I change the situation?

This process allows us to lessen, change, or eliminate the smaller factors that will essentially alleviate the main stressors in our lives. I get it, though. These can be some hard decisions to make. Decisions like letting people go, changing where you hang out, altering your diet, exercise, stop giving handouts, distancing yourself, and creating a strict budget and following it. The list goes on.

Life is challenging, and we all need accountability. Not just a good friend circle, but an effective circle that has your best interests in mind and is not ready to laugh when you fall.

My final question today is, are you ready to alleviate the stress by changing the vehicle, equipment, and tainted perceptions to ease the burdens of that dirt road?

This is Ken James at Divine Hope