Can You Flow With the Stressful Times?

Stress happens. Sometimes you just can't avoid a stressful day or week (or longer period) in your life. Stress happens despite the best of plans. Stress happens because it's part of life. We're bombarded with stress-reduction advice. Yes, we're bombarded with messages from all sides telling us to eliminate or reduce stress in our lives. Yes, yes. That's a great goal. And, yes, I'm a proponent. But what about the day-to-day stuff that just crops up? Or the ongoing stress of life that just IS? I mean, stuff happens, right? Despite your best laid plans. Despite your calm demeanor. Despite your... well, despite everything. So here's what I propose: Rather than trying to eliminate stress, find your flow within it. Instead of focusing so much energy on eliminating stress in your life, what if you focused your energy on being able to flow with it? Try out a new mindset during the times when you find yourself in the midst of a stressful situation. Step back. Detach from the situation for just a minute. Evaluate the situation from a place of detachment. Know that this period, this week, this day, this moment will pass. Then decide how to proceed. Everything has an ebb and flow. Notice that everything in your life has a cycle. Even stressful situations don't last forever. They never do. What if you dropped your resistance to "having a bad day" or experiencing "the last straw"? Instead of resisting the stress, acknowledge it and ride it. Why not give it a try? Has resisting it ever really, truly reduced your stress? Swim with the current. I'm not talking about getting caught up by the situation and then reacting from a place of struggle. Finding your flow within the stress doesn't mean allowing the stress to overtake you. No. Relax and ride it out. Think about the difference between swimming against versus with the current. Which takes more effort? Which gets you farther? Find your flow. Finding your flow within the stress means entering the situation with the intent to detach, observe and evaluate before you speak or act. Finding your flow within the stress means finding the path that allows you to move forward in a positive manner. Finding your flow means taking a deep breath (or two or three) and relaxing, knowing that this too shall pass. All of life is cyclical. Everything has its season, a natural ebb and flow. Flow within that. Ride the current, instead of resisting it. You'll get farther, faster, and with less effort. So, here's to finding your flow!