Even if we don’t hear the word mentioned a whole lot … so many in today’s world live with too much stress in their daily lives, brought on by attempting to simply do and carry more of a physical and mental load than one should make their bodies and brains try to handle.
“Stress” was one of the reasons I’ve given for stepping down from managing and programming enLighten after nine years. Keeping up with the daily demands and my own advancing years, plus being responsible for my other channel, Escape … which wasn’t receiving the attention it and its listeners deserved … I felt was becoming too much. (While I am enjoying a less stressful life, I must honestly state that I miss my involvement with the music and all the wonderful folks – both artists and listeners – that I had gotten to know. This “dis-connection” saddens me at times.)
Maybe if a year ago, before I made my decision, I had read and pondered this message titled The Answer To “I’m Stressed” by my longtime radio industry friend, Jerry Del Colliano … perhaps the Lord would have provided a different answer. But, that’s looking back, which is not why I’ve written this.
Here’s what Jerry wrote in a recent blog:
When you say, “I’m stressed” you might just as well be saying, “I am the reason I am stressed”.
Blaming circumstances or others doesn’t help as we find out over and over again.
We cannot be stressed without our own expressed permission.
Prioritize rather than multitask.
Take control over digital devices because they are wonderful tools until we let them dictate the flow of daily living.
It’s up to you to clamp down on time wasters – they will never do it voluntarily.
Drama kings and drama queens have no place in our happy lives unless we like the stress they try to bring to us.
Even big problems and/or emergencies are not stress producers. It is the way we respond. I chose the word respond … not react. Reacting to circumstances is stressful. Responding is transformational.
Hurt, disappointment and heartbreak are feelings that it is okay to have but not to dwell on.
A good night’s sleep after a tough day is a stress buster.
© 2013 Jerry Del Colliano
I gave Jerry his first job in radio in 1964 while he was a student at the Temple University School of Communications in Philadelphia. From there, he went on to be the program director of a number of stations, publish a popular radio industry newsletter, be a college professor and today, a consultant to radio stations and others in the field of communications.
I have more thoughts on this whole matter of living, stress and walking with the Lord and holding on to His hand … but I’ll close for now with these words from Jesus, as written is the Gospel of John, Chapter 15, Verse 5:
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing!”
Marlin
It has been a pleasure listening to enlighten all these years, reading your messages, and seeing the results of all the heart you put into enlighten. But I am sure you made the right decision and I hope you’ll be at peace with it. That’s the only thing that counts, is it okay with you and God.For my part, I’d like to say- I’m glad that you were here. Roger knox
Marlin, the only important thing is are you and God happy with your decision. For my part, I am very glad that you were here. Roger Knox