Day 31 – Stress Reducer #6

#5 Don’t put up with something that doesn’t work right. If your alarm clock, wallet, shoe laces, windshield wipers; whatever – are a constant aggravation, get them fixed or get new ones.

I recently had to get a new printer. It wasn’t that it wasn’t working “right”, it just quit working at all. Now, two of our wall clocks are not keep in proper time. My husband even put new batteries in them and in no time at all they were behind. We do have the clock on the front of the VCR, my kitchen stove, and our watches,  so until payday we will get by, but those things had to go. It’s taken some getting used to, looking elsewhere but we’re managing. It will be much better after tomorrow when we can replace them. And clocks are not something you want to mess with. Especially if you have to be some place at a certain time.

I do want to caution you with this #5, though. This does not apply to the humans and/or relationships in our lives.  Every one of them at one point or another can be aggravations or not work properly, but that doesn’t mean that it is time to get new ones. They can (however) be fixed.  Before you get too excited I must point out that the fixing comes about in a very different way than you might expect.  I read a book one time called “Lord, Change Me!”  by Evelyn Christenson. The following is a description of her book which can be found on Amazon.com:

Evelyn Christenson writes, “I have discovered through the years that surprising things happen when I pray, ‘Lord, change me–don’t change my husband, don’t change my children, don’t change my pastor, change me!, . . . More and more the fact comes into focus that they, and not I, are responsible before God for their actions. But I am responsible for the changes that need to be made in me.”

Evelyn’s fourteen-month spiritual adventure in learning how God changes people became the exciting story of this book. First published in 1977, “Lord, Change Me!” has surpassed one million copies in print and continues to help a new generation of Christian women–and men–experience the spiritual transformation God commands in Romans 12:2.

“Lord, Change Me!” outlines seven methods of real, inside-out change as well as ways to check to be sure it is God who is doing the changing. And woven throughout are Evelyn’s wonderfully transparent accounts of how God taught her and her loved ones these nuggets of truth.

So, if it’s a relationship that you want fixed. You must start with yourself. Often times what happens is that the person you wanted to change remains the same, God just helps YOU adjust your ATTITUDE toward that person. It’s been years since I read that book, I think I need to pick it up again.

Fix it or replace it = less stress.

I have a perfect example that just happened this morning. I stopped for a minute to fix myself some orange juice. I have one of those Pampered Chef® pitchers that you pump to mix the juice. The handle cracked in-two ages ago. I’ve just put up with it. I realized this morning, that I had some plastic tape. I found it and fixed it. That thing pumped just like it was new and without hurting my hand. I knew I bought that colorful electric tape for some reason.

Here’s hoping you have a stress-free day.

Sharon

Day 30 – Stress Reducer #5

Good morning my friends, although not 100%, my energy and my work load have increased. I am not excited about the work load, but I am ready to tackle it. The proven stress reducer list is numbered, but there is nothing that says I can’t post them in any order that I choose.  I woke up this morning with something on my mind, and it happens to be way down the list, but that’s what I want to talk about today.

#18 Learn to delegate responsibility to capable others.

I got up this morning, knowing that I had a task ahead of me. I haven’t made lists for two days, and I haven’t been getting up early at all because I just couldn’t make myself do so. I find it interesting that through all this I still had the desire to make it right. A few weeks ago that would not have been the case.  My thoughts this morning were on how I have never been one to delegate very well. Although I am not a perfectionist by ANY stretch of the imagination, I still like things done a certain way. My dad taught us kids about initiative and I guess I was hoping my girls would catch on to it without me teaching them? How could I even expect that of them? That certainly wouldn’t be fair. They are both grown, but the both live here, it would have been nice to wake up to some semblance of order.

So, yes, I believe delegation would be a good stress reducer. I just never learned how to do it with my kids. So, I guess what I am saying is that if you are a parent of young children, learn to delegate. Teach them about initiative. The one thing about initiative is that (if they learn it well) you won’t always have to be telling them what to do.

Funny story here: When I was growing up, I would occasionally decide to surprise my parents by doing the dishes or something while they were gone. Inevitably, as she was going out the door, my Mother would turn and say: “Sharon, would you finish the dishes and put them away before we get back?” Believe me, it took all the fun out of my surprise.  But seriously, the more I sit here, the more I think delegation is a must if stress you want to bust!

Have a wonderful day,

Sharon

Day 29 ~ Stress Reducer #4

4. Plan ahead. Don’t let the gas tank get below one-quarter full, keep a well stocked “emergency shelf” of home staples, don’t wait until you’re down to your last bus token or postage stamp to buy more, etc.

Well, folks, that’s it for today. I just wish I had planned ahead for feeling so lousy. I just don’t have the energy for more than this today.

Day 28 ~ Stress Reducer #3

Before I get to the stress reducer for today, I have to say that blogging has turned out to be somewhat therapeutic for me. It was going to be all about photos, but as each day comes, I have to really do some thinking. It’s been good for me to say the least. Remember back on day 13 and 14 when I was into “housework”? I have to tell you, I’ve pretty much kept my kitchen clean since then. I remember accusing the body snatchers of “snatching” the former me and replacing her with this woman on a mission. To be honest, I really don’t know what or why it happened, but it really changed the way I look at things. This was not just some flight of fancy to write about, I never really used to care so much about keeping the place clean. I’d look at it and think, “nah, I’ve got other things I would rather do” and I’d do other things.

I have been sick this week and last night before I let my husband wander off to bed, I talked him into putting away the clean dishes so I wouldn’t be sneezing or coughing all over them. I then proceeded to get the dishwasher reloaded and the counters (almost) clean before I went to bed.  Before? They would have waited until morning or later when it absolutely had to be done. The funny thing about all this? I’ve been better at planning meals, too.  I’ve got them done earlier in the evening because I didnt’ have to “clean up just so I could make a mess again.”

Surprisingly, this does have something to do with today’s stress reducer:

#3 Procrastination is stressful. WHatever you want to do tomorrow, do today; Whatever you want to do today, do it now!

I procrastinated in making a huge change in my habits for a long, long time. I find myself amazed at how much less stressful such a menial EVERY DAY TASK has become. I’ve been at it for two weeks now, and only one day did I let it slide. I haven’t even let it slide this week when I’ve been feeling so poorly.  I really MUST be sick! LOL

If you have something you have been putting off, maybe it’s time to consider getting it done and getting on with your day (or as in my case, my life).  I’m finding that it is SO worth it. I even made a list last night so I wouldn’t procrastinate today.  I told you this was therapeutic.

Stop procrastinating = Less stress!

Have a great day.

Day 27 ~ Stress Reducer #2

2. Don’t rely on your memory. Write down appointment times, when to pick up the laundry, when library books are due, etc. (“The palest ink is better than the most retentive memory” -Old Chinese Proverb

Let me first clarify… this is just a list for the photo (LOL), there’s no way I’m cleaning the refrigerator when I’m feeling like this.

My Mother was always big on lists when I was growing up. Somehow, though, I didn’t fall into her footsteps in that department. Besides, it was too practical. <huge grin>.  I was forever known to be saying “Mother, you’re being practical, again!”  Seriously, I did inherit much of her practicality, but making lists and cleaning house was never my strong suit.

About making lists. Life really would be easier and less stressful if we did take the time to make lists. In recent years, i have found myself making lists more often, and when I do – wow! What a difference in how I feel about the accomplishments of the day. I think that I never used to make them because I didn’t think I would feel all that great if I didn’t get it all done. But I have learned that it is okay. It still gives you a guideline to go by and there will be times when other things come along to mess up your day anyway.

What I have found works best for me is to actually make the list the night before. I usually know what I want to get done the next day and if I write it down just before I go to bed, I have a much better chance of accomplishing my tasks. The reason behind that is that when I go to bed, the list is on my mind and I awaken already knowing what I want to do. If I wait until morning to make the list, I may have changed my mind and then those things get put off or forgotten until another day.

Mental lists do not work! Sure, you may remember what you wanted to do, but it’s just too easy to decide to do something else instead. Unfortunately, that “something else” is usually not nearly as productive and the list for the next day will be even longer. So, before you go to bed tonight, think about it. What do you want (or need) to do tomorrow and write it down. Another thing about doing it this way is that it saves time the next morning, too.

Making Lists = Less Stress

Like “The Five” on FOX TV, there’s one more thing…

These “Stress reducers” are full of good advice, and I want you to know that it is going to be just as much of a challenge for me as the next person.  I am certainly going to give them a try.

Have a great day and God Bless,

Sharon

Day 26 Proven Stress Reducers (PSR) 1

I have another one of those wonderful found items from when I went on my organization spree. On this sheet are 20 proven stress reducers.  Over the next 20 days, I will share one with you  and then hopefully have a little to say about it.

 1. Get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning. The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful.

 

Really? Anything but that! And that’s just the first one! Seriously, when I have tried it, it really does work. And yes, inevitably something throws your timetable into a spin. Lost keys, uncooperative kids (husbands), a run in your stockings (for those of us who actually wear those things anymore – LOL), spilled coffee, only to name a few. But the mornings when I have gotten up early and started my day early, the day may have seemed long, but I did get a lot more done. I’m a night person – so this means going to bed earlier in order to get enough sleep.  You know what they say:

“Early to Bed, Early to Rise; Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise!”

Some of us have the luxury of not having to be anywhere at a specific time because we are home bodies, but it still makes a difference. My husband and I like to go on photo outings occasionally and he really hates to get a late start. Going to town for me is a 30 plus mile round trip. If I have lots of errands to do, then by the time I get home my day is half done. As much as I hate to admit it, it does make all kinds of sense.

I’m not going to make any promises, (at least until I get over this nasty bug), but I do know that my morning routine goes much smoother when I get up earlier and get things done. It gives me nearly the whole day to do other things that I have been putting off and to really start working on projects.

Getting up earlier = less stress.   When I do have someplace to go, it sure beats rushing out the door and feeling like I’ve forgotten something.

On a different note:

My blog title says this is about photography, but I’m getting really limited to what I can take new pictures of while the weather is bad and I’m not going anywhere. I guess I just may have to adjust my regulations for myself, but I will certainly try to start taking more pictures again soon.

Day 25 ~ One Day at a Time

And on this day, I am tired and don’t have anything of my own to share. (I think I’m getting the “creeping crud” that everyone else in my family has already had). But, I do want to share this with you. I have no idea where I got it, but I hope it might be of encouraging to those who read it.

One Day At A Time

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry: two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

 

One of these days is yesterday. With its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed: we cannot erase a single word said… Yesterday is gone!

 

The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow with its possible burdens, its large promise and poor performance. Tomorrow’s sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds… but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.

 

This leaves only one day … Today! Any man can fight the battle of just one day. It is only when you and I have the burden in those two awful eternities – yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.

 

It is not the experience of today that drives men mad… It is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.

Let us, therefore, live but One Day at a time.

 

May God bless you today and ALWAYS!

Sharon

Sorry I didn’t have a picture today, but I wanted to at least show up.  We’ll see what happens tomorrow when it gets here.

Day 24 ~ Time

If someone were to ask you, “What is the most precious/valuable gift you have ever received?” What would your answer be?

Time IS a gift! It is a gift that every one of us has received. In the grand scheme of things, some of us have more time than others, but each and every one of us has the same amount of time in any given day. What we choose to do with that time is up to us, but we must be aware that once it is gone, we cannot get it back.

This is a somewhat difficult thing for me to write about, as I am one who is guilty of wasting time.  I won’t waste yours by rambling on about all the things that I have done when I should have been doing something else.  And I won’t waste my time by fretting about what is over and done with.  “It’s water under the bridge.” (and after last week’s flood waters, it is easy to see how it gets away from you).

“Time is like a snowflake–it melts away while we try to decide what to do with it.” ~Anonymous

“Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness.” ~Jean De La Bruyere

These quotes are all very good, but as I was cutting and pasting (to save time), it occurred to me that the best resource for quotes on time is found in the Bible. Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 8

¹There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under heaven:

²a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

³a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

⁴a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

⁵a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

⁶a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

⁷a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

⁸a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

I’d like to take a minute to talk about verse 4. Just over three months ago, I lost my father. I am so thankful, though, that I had the time to spend with him in his last days. Sure, I cried, A LOT, but there were times of laughter as family members gathered around and shared the memories of a loving man.  I look back now and know that I have one more very precious memory to hold on to. My sister and I became closer through those days and for that I am extremely grateful.

So, when you are thinking about time, one thing that I would encourage you to do more than anything else, is to make time for family.  and remember:

Every morning you are handed 24 golden hours. They are one of the few things in this world that you get free of charge. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn’t buy an extra hour. What will you do with this priceless treasure? ~Anonymous

“This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good.What I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss; good not evil; success not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it.” ~Author Unknown

In the Morning (a poem)

 

 

I met God in the morning,

when my day was at its best

And His presence came like sunrise

Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered.

All day long He stayed with me.

And we sailed with perfect calmness

O’er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered

Other ships were sore distressed.

But the winds that seemed to drive them

Brought to us a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings

With a keen remorse of mind,

When I, too, had loosed the moorings

With the Presence left behind.

So I think I know the secret

Learned from many a troubled way.

You must seek God in the morning

If you want Him through the day.

Ralph Cushman

 

 

 

 

 

Day 22 – Let it Shine

This Little Light Of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

           This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,

                            let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine.

           Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine,

                             let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel – NO! I’m gonna let it shine. 

            Hide it under a bushel – NO! I’m gonna let it shine,

                               Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine til Jesus comes. I’m gonna let it shine.

           Let it shine til Jesus comes. I’m gonna let it shine,

                              let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

 

“Write, not because you want to say something, but because you have something to say.”  (a quote I found today that most definitely applies) I am not used to writing something every day. I do not always have original thoughts to share. It was another rainy, nasty day outside and other than home and church, I had no place to go for my daily photos. When I saw that my husband had lit this candle, I thought it might be fun to get some macro shots of the flame. I knew I could either find or come up with something about light.

Like I mentioned, I didn’t have any original thoughts today. You wouldn’t believe how many songs, quotes, and scripture verses there are about “light”. I finally settled on a favorite song from my childhood days in Sunday School. 

Currently, my life is mostly at home. I don’t spend a lot of time with people. It’s not that I don’t like people. I am very much a people person, but most of my friends have full-time jobs and/or very busy lives. My family is grown and they have their own lives.  I guess, maybe, God has given me the idea of blogging for just that purpose, to let His light shine through me.  It won’t be every day that I have something to say, but I hope that those of you who read my daily postings will be encouraged as I try to let my light shine.  But remember, it is not my light, but the light of Jesus shining through me. I hope and pray that you, too can see His light and let Him shine through you. After all,

The Light of the World is Jesus

which brings to mind the chorus of another hymn….

“come to the light, tis shining for thee,

sweetly, the light has dawned upon me,

once I was blind, but now I can see…

the Light of the world is Jesus.”