Stressed or Desserts? It is Your Choice

By Bill Ellis
Special to ASSIST News Service

SCOTT DEPOT, WV (ANS) -- It is not uncommon to hear somebody say. "I am just stressed out" or something else related to not having it all together.

Others may say about their friends, "He is under so much stress" or "His job is very stressful". Ever get the feeling that humans like to talk about their stress or that of someone else?

Stress is related to strain, tension, pressure, anxiety, nervousness, worry, dread, burden and intensity. It is the result of being out of rhythm with one's self and society in general. It may seem like nothing goes right.

Harmon Maxwell called it "Nature's fight or flight mechanism overburdened by modern society's prohibition against fighting and fleeing." You may think about that for a while and become more stressed.

What causes us to become stressed out? Here are some possibilities and cures for stress.

1. Not sticking to a schedule and getting things done on time.

2. Going to bed too late at night. Benjamin Franklin said something about "Early to bed and early to rise . . ." and it has many advantages.

3. Not paying bills on time or not having the money to pay all your bills.

4. Paying credit charges on anything. That seems like a waste of money.

5. If you cannot pay for it by the end of the month, you may not need it.

6. Prepare early for any assignment. Delayed preparation leads to stress.

7. Plan well for your future. Ask advice of those who retired successfully and out of debt.

8. A good relationship with others destroys the seeds of stress.

9. Eat properly, keep your weight under control, drink lots of water and exercise daily.

10. Read good books and watch little television and only the best of that.

11. Be a life-long learner. Keep reading and studying all your life.

12. Remember you have a body, mind, soul and the privilege of choosing. Choose to take care of all you are and have.

I would like to see your ideas about avoiding stress. Like you, I have had some personal experience with it. My column, by agreement with your newspaper, is limited to the number of words I may use. I never say all there is to say about anything. It is always a little "stressful" to eliminate a name, experience and things important to you and also to me.

It is always a pleasure to hear from many readers. If my column is too long, you would not read it and the excellent newspaper in which you read it would not carry it. I use variety because you would get tired of reading about the same thing. I hear from so many readers from all over the country and they and you help keep me on my toes in research, accuracy, variety in subject matter and writing in an interesting manner.

Thanks for writing this week with your ideas about stress. I hope my column helps to relieve some of it for you. Your numerous comments help me.

Stressed and desserts are spelled with the same letters. Spell "stressed" backwards and you will have "desserts." The choice is ours.

Our assignment for this week is to read the words of St. Paul, who had many reasons to be stressed out. Attitude makes a big difference. Read what Paul wrote to the people who lived in the city of Philippi, especially chapter 4 and underscore the words of verse 11 that state: "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Contentment is the opposite of stress.

Read on and develop an attitude like St. Paul. When stressed, let it become desserts.

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Bill Ellis is a syndicated columnist, and convention and conference speaker on every continent. He is the writer of more than 2,000 newspaper and magazine columns, articles and contributions to books. He is also a widely known motivational speaker and pulpit guest who utilizes enjoyment of life and just plain fun and laughter while speaking to high school, university and professional sports teams as well as to business and professional groups of all kinds. His keen understanding of human problems makes him a favorite speaker for youth, parent, and senior adult meetings. He is accompanied by Kitty, his wife, favorite singer, editor and publisher. For information on becoming a subscriber to the Ellis Column for your newspaper or magazine, you may contact him at: BILL ELLIS, P.O.Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560 or by calling: 304-757-6089.