This month we will explore STRESS and the two faces of stress- distress, the aspect of stress that often causes illness and suffering, and eustress-the effect on our mind/body of positive and life changing events. Both types of stress cause our heart to beat fast, our respiration to increase, our thoughts to race and our blood pressure to rise. Can we transform distress into eustress? Let’s find out! How do you handle stress? What do you do? What do you think? What do you say to yourself or to others? There is a brief moment of decision where your mental response to an event can determine how your body responds and whether your stress becomes distress or eustress. Here’s a little secret… it all depends on how you view those events. The “awful disaster” for one person is the blessed catalyst and grand opportunity for growth for another. "There are only two ways to live your life: One is as though nothing is a miracle, The other is as though everything is a miracle. I believe in the latter." - Albert Einstein Are you willing to change your beliefs to realize that all events can serve your personal growth and evolution? As long as you look for the seed of wisdom every experience can serve to uplift you and inspire your growth. Are you open to change? "Change. It has the power to uplift, to heal, to stimulate, surprise, open new doors, bring fresh experience and create excitement in life. Certainly it is worth the risk." -Leo Buscaglia One of the greatest stressors we face is our own resistance to life. When we want to change an event that cannot be changed, it causes emotional suffering and stress on the mind/body system. "No matter how hard you throw a dead fish in the water, it still won't swim." -Proverb, (Congolese) Just this week, maintain an attitude of attentiveness and allowingness. Be present, breathe, notice what is happening around you, yet rather than being reactive and resisting life, allow it to just be, and observe it from the perspective of your higher self. Ask yourself, how does this serve my growth? What can I learn from this experience? Just this week, practice acceptance of what cannot be changed and breathe. Let it go. I wish you the best of everything. May you be blessed with peace, joy, health, and mostly love.
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