R.A.D.I.C.A.L. Thoughts

"If you can't fight or flee, then flow." ~anonymous

The stress of a midlife divorce is a kind of stress you have probably never experienced. Everything about it is stressful. In fact, divorce embodies stress equal to what researchers claim as the most stressful life situations: loss of a spouse, loss of a job, moving, lack of control. All of those situations are incredibly stressful and they are all a part of the stress of divorce. So since stress during divorce is inevitable, what can we do about it? I like the simple advice suggested above ... if you can't fight it or get away from it, you have to flow with it. I recently heard about a 113 year old man's answer when asked the secret to his long life. He said, "When it rains, I let it." Let's keep that in mind, today. I know I for one don't have time for stress today. I have too many things I have to get done. If I am stressful, those things I have to do will take longer and I will feel, not content and satisfied, but stressed out, frazzled and flustered. So today, I'm going to take a deep breath, (several if I have to) and feel the stress leave my body as I breathe out. I am going to flow. I'm also going to think about the wise advice given to a group of people long ago ... "take the gift of peace of mind and heart that God offers." He promises to see us through anything. He tells us not to be stressed out or afraid. I'm going to accept that gift for this one day, and flow.

"I am leaving you with a gift -- peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives, so don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27 (The Living Bible)