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    theresa


    Theresa Lode or, simply “T”, had her world turned upside down and inside out when her son was diagnosed with ADHD and a few other goodies. Her choice- follow the doctor's orders....or trust her heart and delve into the world of Free Range Education. She chose the latter...

    Curious? Want to know more? Read on ...
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Are you worried…or stressed?

A Must Have Book!

A Must Have Book!

I read a quote that rocked my world yesterday. It was in an ebook I was proofing for an author. One chapter, named How to Quit Worrying and Start Living, referenced one of my all time favorite books by the same title.

The author quoted a review  found on Amazon by Doc Sarvis that is brilliant.  Here’s part of what he had to say:

…Consider this: Every single bit of advice in this book is based on the premise that you, the reader, are responsible for your own destiny, and must personally take action in your own life…not wait for the government or a pill or someone else to take care of it for you. Not once is anyone in this book characterized as a “victim” (although many come under great misfortune). If this book were to be written today, the fault for it’s subject’s problems would lie entirely with external forces, as would all of the remedies.

I find it interesting that the overall term used to describe the problem this book attempts to solve (“worry”), is one that we never hear these days. In today’s world, we say that someone is “stressed” to describe the same symptoms. Why? Because “worry” is something one does to one’s self, and “stress” comes from the outside. We no longer want to acknowledge responsibility for anything.

The reporter in me had to dig a little deeper so I went to dictionary.com to look up the meanings :

wor⋅ry

–verb (used without object)

1. to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret

stress[stres] 

–noun
8. physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension: Worry over his job and his wife’s health put him under a great stress.
9. a situation, occurrence, or factor causing this: The stress of being trapped in the elevator gave him a pounding headache
Wow.  To me. this is very empowering stuff.  I can be a victim and continue to be “stressed” or I can be proactive against my worry tendencies. 
Tomorrow, I’m going to write about a few tools that I use in my battle against the worry that causes stress in my life..  (You already know one of them…that wonderful book.)
See you then!
theresa_sig

So much to worry about…so little time

Such trying times we live in. The economy….the Goo Goo Cluster Plant in GA closing down….people who don’t know how to pronounce libRaRy…there’s just no end to the things a seasoned worrier such as myself can worry about. 

My doggeared copy of “How to Quit Worrying and Start Living” by Dale Carnegie will attest to the fact that it is something I desire to change.  And if I highlight Matthew Chapter 6 in my Bible any more, the page will disintegrate.

Worry causes illness and illness can give one yet another thing to worry about.  It’s a vicious cycle.

From Is that just a freckle? to vehicle induced panic attacks to Will my kids end up on Dr. Phil when they grow up

I admit.  In these troubling times, my list is a bit myopic.  And my biggest economic fears get stirred up not listening to the news but rather…opening my checkbook. 

Then there are things I’m glad I DON’T have to worry about.  Like–not having a thing to wear if I was going to the inauguration balls yesterday.  Or if I should pick the afternoon or early evening buffet for a Mediterranen Cruise.  Yes, those would very difficult things to work through.

So anywhoo, I was talking with my dear friend Joanne yesterday.  (Hi Joanne!) And as usual we had a wonderful visit.  I asked her how she conquered the worry habit.  She began smoking pot, she said, her reddened eyes at half mast.

NOOOOOOO, NOOOOOOOO!!!! I’m just kidding.  I don’t know WHAT over took me there.  Sorry, Joanne.

Anyway.  Her practical pointers: Go have some fun.  See a movie.  Go shopping.  Go do something that brings you pleasure.  (And my note—it does NOT need to be expensive.  I pay $1.80 for two hours of recharging when I head to my favorite coffee house.) 

We mommys tend to get all wrapped up in taking care of our families and we totally forget thesen practical  little pointers.

So by way of reminding myself today….I pass them on to you.  Because you see today I have to do some grocery shopping and….That check engine light’s back on….and there’s this little spot on the back of my hand…..and…..

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