Wednesday, December 13th, 2006
A Different Kind of Stress
In honor of my recent 26th birthday, I’m going to talk about getting old. 26 is a strange time. My elders look at me and laugh, saying, “you’re not old….I wish I was 26″ and those that are a bit younger (usually around the 5-10 age) say, “Wow, you’re old! I remember having that conversation with my 6 year-old cousin at the dinner table when we were practicing math. My age added up to 5 hands - I was still 25 at the time. This is a very odd feeling. My husband and I cherish with each other that these are the times when we’ll probably feel our physical best in life and can live with high hopes and energy. But, it’s hard not to feel life rushing by and to wonder if I missed out on anything as a youth in my constant desire to grow up and experience grown-up things. All those are gone now….getting a license, graduation, turning 21, graduating college, getting a house, even a wedding is over. I’ve done all of the “biggies” and now I’ll only live them through my children. It’s odd how these things happen so early in life.
I make note of this “getting old” - however you want to look at it - today because last night I experienced my first instance of Alzheimer’s. I took some time off from this crazy job I find myself in and decided to put together our Christmas card - I know it’s getting late, but it’s coming. I also had high hopes of working on a Christmas gift for my in-laws (shhh, it’s a surprise). This meant I needed my mini hard drive and USB adapter which I normally take everywhere with me. It’s usually in my purse and I couldn’t find it. Dan and I searched the house, the car, and I finally decided I needed to go to the office to see if I left it there. This was such a terrible feeling because I’m usually very good about remembering where I put something like this. It’s always with me so the only place I lay it down is in my purse or my briefcase. It wasn’t at the office. Finally, back at home after about an hour or so of looking and thinking that we may have threw it out in the recycling, Dan found it between the seats of my car. We really just wanted to drive it around town…ha ha. I decided that this was a new kind of stress I’m feeling with work that makes me lose my ability to remember fine details that I am normally good at remembering. I finally knew what others were talking about!
So a couple of things have reminded me this week to slow down a bit and look at life differently. I feel bad that my life is so wrapped up in this business right now and I’m sure at times I’m somewhat dull to talk to because it’s all I’ve got at the moment. I know that will change once things calm down - my life has so much more to it than the business. Anyway, in church on Sunday the sermon was about preparing for Christmas and how busy this time of year is. I took away the message that we need to take the time to enjoy life right now and CELEBRATE preparing for Christmas, rather than stressing about it. This will make Christmas a much happier day, rather than rushing all the way up to it, then it rushing by and moving quickly on to the next thing. Let’s stop and enjoy the time NOW until Christmas and then Christmas will seem like much more of a celebration. So, I’m going to work on praising people for the positive things they bring to my life and to enjoy each moment as much as I can.
I was also reminded of this because there was a shooting on one of the major highways here on Sunday. A man was driving in his car and it was believed he was in a traffic altercation. Some poor soul decided to pull out a gun and shoot him. The joke we all make about cutting someone off and getting shot is very true.
So everyone, my purpose for this message is just to remind you to slow down for Christmas and try to promote something positive.
Carpe Diem!
on Wednesday, December 13th, 2006 at 5:37 pm:
Amen to that. Graduating and all I wonder, now what. But I know there’s so much ahead of me yet there is so much behind me. Learning to enjoy the present is about the most important lesson in life.