{"id":957,"date":"2011-06-27T04:16:24","date_gmt":"2011-06-27T08:16:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/simplelife\/?p=957"},"modified":"2011-06-22T21:26:09","modified_gmt":"2011-06-23T01:26:09","slug":"eliminating-stress-take-a-break-and-dont-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2011\/06\/eliminating-stress-take-a-break-and-dont-run.html","title":{"rendered":"Eliminating stress: Take a break and Don’t run"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Several times each week, I would take one or all of my children on foot, crossing the busy five-lane A1A Highway to the ocean. \u00a0Each time, I would instruct them. \u00a0“Stop. \u00a0Look both ways. \u00a0Listen. \u00a0 And do not EVER run across a busy highway.”<\/p>\n

Once we had gotten through the traffic; and we were safely on the other side, I would explain. \u00a0“If you run, you may fall. \u00a0If you fall, you will not be able get up; and a car will hit you. \u00a0Before you begin to cross the highway, always be certain that there is enough room between the cars that you don’t have to run.”<\/p>\n

These were the same instructions my mother and father had given to my sister, brother and me when we had to navigate a\"\"cross the bustling Dorchester Road in Charleston Heights, SC. \u00a0My parents owned an ice cream parlor in a small strip mall; and we often had to walk to their work. \u00a0Mother’s instructions echoed in our minds so accurately that when we were old enough to walk with my older sister and without our parents, we would tell each other how to cross before we stepped off the curb onto the buzzing street.<\/p>\n

Now, many decades later, it was such good advice that I’m still giving myself the same instructions about many areas in my life. \u00a0In more detail, here are steps you can take to eliminate many stressful situations.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Stop! \u00a0Take a break. \u00a0Whether you are pressing too hard to complete a garden project, preparing to host a social event or trying to meet a pending deadline, taking a break will enhance your productivity and increase your ability to concentrate. \u00a0Thereby, your stress level will b\"\"e reduced.<\/li>\n
  2. Look far beyond the immediate situation. \u00a0Continually look at your life and at your goals. \u00a0To cross a bustling highway, you must understand the patterns of traffic. \u00a0This takes times of examination. \u00a0To understand what God has planned for you. \u00a0Daily evaluation and observations is essential.<\/li>\n
  3. Listen! \u00a0Observing the flow of traffic for a highway and in your life takes all your senses. \u00a0Listen to the Lord, your critics and your friends.<\/li>\n
  4. Don’t run. \u00a0Only people who are insecure about their ability to cross a busy highway attempt to run across the street. \u00a0Running dramatically elevates your chance of failure. \u00a0You increase your stress level–not lower it–when you are in a hurry. \u00a0Be sure that you have the time needed to complete tasks. \u00a0Then and only then, proceed. \u00a0Tripping and falling in the middle of a project spells disaster and increases the strain on your body and mind.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Years ago when I was learning to hear the voice of the Lord, a respected teacher and older friend told me, “Linda, God has an eternity to accomplish His good work in you. \u00a0He doesn’t push us. \u00a0If I feel extreme inner pressure, I stop. \u00a0Then I seek God to truly hear from Him. \u00a0God isn’t in a hurry.” \u00a0That day my stress level decreased sustantially. \u00a0Each time I remember her wisdom, I’m blessed by lower stress levels and God’s peace.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Several times each week, I would take one or all of my children on foot, crossing the busy five-lane A1A Highway to the ocean. \u00a0Each time, I would instruct them. \u00a0“Stop. \u00a0Look both ways. \u00a0Listen. \u00a0 And do not EVER run across a busy highway.” Once we had gotten through the traffic; and we were…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":387,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[76,9,75,3,49,16,28,8,38,85,12,41],"tags":[21,688,696,7,165,699,701,694,689,692,6,710],"class_list":["post-957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-al-quida","category-autism-spectrum","category-bin-laden-killed","category-developmental-disabilities","category-inspiration","category-intellectual-disability","category-mentally-challenged","category-mentally-challenged-community","category-passion-week","category-prayer-2","category-religion","category-spirituality","tag-christian","tag-christianity","tag-church","tag-developmental-disabilities-2","tag-eliminating-stress","tag-faith","tag-inspiration","tag-intellectual-disability","tag-mentally-challenged-community","tag-religion","tag-simple-scriptural-truths","tag-stress"],"yoast_head":"\nEliminating stress: Take a break and Don't run - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2011\/06\/eliminating-stress-take-a-break-and-dont-run.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Eliminating stress: Take a break and Don't run - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Several times each week, I would take one or all of my children on foot, crossing the busy five-lane A1A Highway to the ocean. \u00a0Each time, I would instruct them. \u00a0“Stop. \u00a0Look both ways. \u00a0Listen. \u00a0 And do not EVER run across a busy highway.” Once we had gotten through the traffic; and we were…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2011\/06\/eliminating-stress-take-a-break-and-dont-run.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2011-06-27T08:16:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2011-06-23T01:26:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/specialgathering.files.wordpress.com\/2011\/06\/dad-with-child-crossing.jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Linda G. 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