Dani's Dirt

Lately I’ve been struggling. I feel like I’m the only kid left on one side of a game of dodgeball. I just keep keep jumping, ducking and hoping I survive till the buzzer sounds.

Typically, I deal with stress by working out. There’s something about listening to my iPod and hitting the elliptical. The more I think about whatever is bothering me, the harder I work out. It’s a system that works pretty well for me. However, with everything happening on top of recovering from being sick, my normal form of therapy is out of the question. With that, I’ve had to find other ways to deal.

I wanted to share this post, not to whine about what’s going on in my life, but to share a few things I’ve found to put a little pep in the step when it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.

Laugh

dog-shaming.com. I love this website. It makes me giggle until tears are trailing down my face. Maybe because I’m an animal lover and dog owner, but I usually find one a day that I can relate to. It’s a-mazing.

Find Strength

When everything is overwhelming, I turn to the Bible and Google, or Google the Bible. There is something about reading scriptures regarding what I’m feeling that somehow make everything okay. Quotes from philosophers or well-known people also seem to have the same effect, as far as granting me the strength to plow forward.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” ― Lou Holtz

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

Pin

So this one may apply to mainly women, but Pinterest is one heck of a great stress relief. Pin-frenzy. A black out that happens once logged into Pinterest where you plan all your meals for the next month, find DIY projects you might never have time to do, assemble wardrobes for all occasions, and plan you engagement, wedding, and offspring’s life… when none of the those three are even a thought into your near future. Yes, Pin-frenzy is a happy place, and 20 minutes and 75 pins later you’ll emerge feeling like your life is much more together.

So it’s a false illusion, but you do what you got to do here people.

Let it go

Cry. Release all that built up tension with one big crocodile tear session. If you don’t it’s only going to build up more.

Secondly, talk about it. This is the one I have to work on. Let the people close to you know what’s going on, not only will they be more understanding when you accidentally snap at them out of frustration, but you’ll have someone on your team.

Hug

I’m a hugger by nature, so it’s nice to be on the receiving end of those. I’m thankful that my family lives relatively close, and are there to randomly show up for dinner, or buy me milk because I’ve been to busy to go to the store, and to give out lots and lots and LOTS of hugs. I don’t know what I’d do without them. So for everyone else out there. Give hugs. Lots of them. You never know how much the other person might be needing it.

No one can take on the world alone, we aren’t 10 feet tall and bulletproof and as much as we’d like to tell ourselves we can do it all… we simply can’t.
So accept the things you can’t change, take in the sunshine of the day, find what makes you happy and thank the good Lord for all the blessings you’ve been given.