Someone asked me one time about my concept of Cutting Away The Crap. It was interesting to me that this was not common knowledge. But then, when I discussed it with my mom later, she reminded me that common sense or common knowledge is rarely ever common at all.
What reminded me of this was our daily draw. Doreen’s guidebook definition of today’s card is one that I agree with nearly a million percent. (The illustration, however . . . . . not at all. But that’s just me.) I’d like to get right to it because we’re having all kids (plus some bonus folks) here for a family dinner (and sort of meeting). Hanny and Adam should be showing up just as Empress gets off work and about the time J.D. arrives to order food. (Fingers crossed that, timing-wise, this all goes smoothly.)
“Stress management ~ Guardian Angel
Your angels are working with you to reduce the impact of stress. Pay close attention to your Divine guidance, such as thoughts or feelings about taking a rest, exercising, changing your routine, and avoiding conflict. You need to both reduce stress in your life and manage the way it is affecting you.
To lessen this burden, you will need to be assertive with people and say no to unwanted requests. Don’t do anything out of guilt or obligation, and only engage in activities that you can perform out of loving service. Avoid harsh environments, violent media, and negative relationships, and face any situations that are worrying you head-on. It’s better to make plans for dealing with problems, rather than deal with chronic worry by avoiding them.
Managing stress involves taking excellent care of yourself. This means exercising, getting outside in nature, and consuming only healthful foods and beverages. Your angels also guide you to surround yourself with uplifting music, flowers, and loving relationships (which can definitely include your pets).
Give any cares or needs to your guardian angels, and ask them to help you receive Divine wisdom in dealing with any stressful matters. Your angels will also help you see the love and light within each situation so that your thoughts are peaceful.”
This very basic concept is one we’ve talked about here, a lot, and it’s what I mean when I suggest cutting out extra shit in our lives that is just upsetting, or even worse, unhealthy (on any level). When we are living as our genuine and true selves, all of life’s challenges are still there, we just deal with them better. And when we’ve de-stressed, the way this message suggests, the less challenges we are actually confronted with at all. We simply live to learn, and we do it in as loving a way as possible.
Here’s one of my minor issues from this afternoon’s bike ride. A challenge that came out of seemingly nowhere. But I dealt with it.
NOT where it belongs.
Next to my wee cellular device you may be able to see that this is a toe basket dealie which should be attached to my bike pedal. Clearly, it is not. We two-wheeled it to the store (for items we totally forgot yesterday) and as we were about to head home I noticed that this was hanging by just one screw, the one you can kinda make out above. Where the other one went we have no clue.
I was very calm though. No stress. I just told Dan that we needed to pull over. So we did. I got off, swung down my kick-stand, and proceeded to take the entire thing off. Then I stuck it in our bag, and we were off again. No problem. Except that it felt strange to have only ONE. My right foot was fine, my left felt barren and unprotected. How funny that I’ve become so used to having them on my pedals.
He is feigning disinterest.
But I know he truly cares.
This view of Indiana Sunshine took me about 18 pictures to get. Have I mentioned lately how grateful I am for my El Cheapo digital camera?
Today’s Deck:
Saints & Angels Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue
Foreign License Plate Report:
(thanks to my Beloved for remembering) New Mexico, Kansas, New York, a blue and white one that reminded him of Vermont, only ya know, blue and white, and two others. With the exception of that first one, all the rest were within like a block and half of each other! It was like the fucking United Nations of Out Of State Plates.
LateNight Addition:
Delia recently linked to this blog post. Something everyone on the interwebz should be aware of.
Hope the family-plus dinner/meeting went well!
Definitely a weird vibe & color combo going on in that pic, but a great message, as you said! I have had a couple-few days of overthinking mode, and am ready to be done with that! (I did have some great insights & resolutions come from it, so at least it was productive.)
Hooray for dealing with challenges calmly, even when they push us out of our comfort zone!
Aww, Indiana, why won’t you sit still, pose, and look at us?
~
Mixed reviews from the dinner meeting. Only moderately successful.
J
10:34 p.m.
8-23-12
I have no trouble cutting away the crap. Taking excellent care of myself is another matter entirely!
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Yep, the tough part is to get ALL the categories right.
J
10:38 p.m.
8-23-12
Sage advise on stress management. I had an interesting conversation with several folks lately about Time Management (days off, rather than management of time as most people understand it; at least in the numbered people world), the gist of which is: no one gets a prize for having excess time management even though the culture values those who do. I believe that in the numbered world, time management = stress management. Take time for yourself!
I, too, hope that the timing worked and the family dinner/meeting went well. And interesting blog link…
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That time/stress management is something Dan has recently learned. Not that he was all that stressed out before, but he HAS seen the value in different areas more recently.
The timing was perfect, everyone arrived as though orchestrated. And the food choice (last minute) ended up being ideal as well.
J
10:45 p.m.
8-23-12
In Dan’s case, the situation was completely different when he was a K9 officer…if you don’t work, there is NOBODY to pick up your slack; in the other world, yeah, someone else is there. The really important thing to remember is that if you don’t take care of yourself, at some point you can’t take care of anybody. Even if you are THE K9 guy.
Precisely the reason I took three weeks this year – First time in about ten years I haven’t split my vacation.
~
(Yes, this is Dan.
J)
Stress management. Heh-heh-heh. Why yes, my father-in-law and his wife are here this weekend. How did you know? Any soothing thoughts you can send this way would be greatly appreciated.
Soothing and uplifting FGBVs to you, Karen!
Thank you and Judie too. I’ve made it successfully through dinner. We’ll see them all day Saturday and Sunday. This is a man who thinks Obama is a communist. Who starts sentences with “I’m not a racist . . ” Who can’t understand how his money and race and education . . .
Oh, I could go on but my head will explode. I may have to drink heavily.
Bright side is my darling daughter jumping in with facts and figures at her fingertips to defend her (and my) political viewpoints.
~
How grateful are we for these brilliant kids?!
J
10:49 p.m.
8-23-12
OMG. I feel your pain. -All- my FIL can talk (rant) about is politics and our govt. Many, many FGBV’s to you for this weekend.
FGV’s Karen – Breathe in, Breathe out. All will be well.
Very good advice on stress managemnt. It should just be natural to do and yet I seem to forget at times that I can say, “No”.
This one really jumped out at me:
“face any situations that are worrying you head-on. It’s better to make plans for dealing with problems, rather than deal with chronic worry by avoiding them.”
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That one came back in tonight’s post too. The Universe and I must have been hearing your thoughts.
J
10:53 p.m.
8-23-12
Love the card.
Had a wonderful calming break yesterday. Saw the movie, Ruby Sparks. Will critique it on my blog on Monday, but am still enjoying the nice feelings. : )
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Yipee for a nice break!
Will be looking forward to your review.
J
10:56 p.m.
8-23-12
Well I certainly need to manage my stress and anxiety! I will reread this a couple of times and hope it sticks in my currently non-sticky brain.
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Remember when we were sitting on the log and your alarm went off at 3:30 because you had the option to take another pill? But you didn’t need it? Put yourself back into that mind-set. And you maybe won’t need the meds so often.
J
10:59 p.m.
8-23-23
Me! Me! The stress management card was for me! *gibber*
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I did think of you when I saw this. You, the published authour in MundaneLand.
We are all holding your hand so that you don’t need to walk alone right now.
(Even though I know that you are SO not alone in your House Of Love.)
J
11:03 p.m.
8-23-12
Stress management? What is this thing, stress management? (runs screaming into the night…)
Hope you and the family have a wonderful evening!
~
Just a wee trick that I like to share with my friends.
J
11:07 p.m.
8-23-12