Stress is a part of our lives, and the past few years we all seem to have been dealt a lot of it. However, how we react to stress and learn to “deal with it” often affects our health and mental well-being.

I shared the following several years ago, sent to me by my husband’s Aunt Arvid, but came across it recently and, after re-reading it, felt renewed fortification to handle my daily stress. The following story is followed by several “serious advisories” along with a few to give you a chuckle:

A young lady confidently walked around the room with a raised glass of water while leading a seminar and explaining stress management to her audience.  Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, ‘Half empty or half full?’  She fooled them all.  “How heavy is this glass of water?” she inquired with a smile.  Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “Actually, the weight is irrelevant - it all depends on how long I hold it.  If I hold it for a minute, that’s not a problem.  If I hold it for an hour, I’ll feel like my arm is falling off; if I hold it for a day, you’ll have to call an ambulance.  In each case, it’s the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”

And so it is with stress.  he longer we carry our burdens, the heavier they become, and, eventually, they’ll overwhelm us.  So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down.  Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night.  Pick them up again tomorrow, if you must.

•Accept the fact that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue.

•Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

•Read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of reading it.

•Drive carefully...it’s not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

•If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

•If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

•It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

•Never buy a car you can’t push.

•Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then, you won’t have a leg to stand on.

•Nobody cares if you can’t dance well.  Just get up and dance.

•Since it’s the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

•The second mouse gets the cheese.

•When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.

•Birthdays are good for you.  The more you have, the longer you live.

•Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

•We could learn a lot from crayons.  Some are sharp, some are pretty, and some are dull.  Some have weird names and are all different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.  Amen.

•A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

•Have an awesome day, and know that someone has thought about you today.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY...

•Save the earth...it’s the only planet with chocolate.