We All Create Our Own Stress

A lot of people are feeling stressed right now. The U.S. government is creating chaos through aggressive bullying of so many segments of our population, and extending into other parts of the world. People everywhere are feeling scared, angry, and hopeless.

These feelings are certainly not new. Our daily lives have been a microcosm of this current situation since humans stood upright.

Last month, I wrote about feeling powerless. Stress is the result of that. It comes from trying to change something over which we are actually powerless. This is the heart of the Serenity Prayer.

Why do we do this? Follow the “why” back into the limbic system. The answer is either “survival” or “addiction.”

Survival stress is meant to keep us alive. Addiction stress both perpetuates the reason to act out – either with anger, drugs, sex, gambling, food, etc. – and provides the stimulation that keeps addiction simmering.

When someone says they are stressed, the first question I ask is, “How are you creating your own stress?”

The answer will usually be that something is happening over which they have no control, or they are telling themselves something irrational, like “I’m not good enough,” or “I’m disappointing people I want to make happy.”

The next question, then, is “Does being stressed change the situation?” Of course, the answer is not only “no,” but that the stress makes it worse!

Once we embrace this concept, we can choose to live differently. We can choose to make conscious decisions to change ourselves, our responses to external situations and stimuli, and then enjoy the peace and centeredness that comes with that choice. It takes willingness, intention, and practice. The rewards are great – health, well-being, and feeling Connected to ourselves, each other, and the Universe.

Be In Light,
Carol