How do you manage stress?
I manage stress by walking through it. But how?
Many guidelines exist for reducing or meditating stress—yet I note none for avoiding it. Apart from self-inflicted stress, there seems no panacea for stress caused by others or by environmental factors.
So I begin with a strong conviction: if I cannot manage stress, I cannot manage my life—for life is full of stress, whether self-inflicted, caused by others, or simply a vague, imagined anxiety that has no real existence.
This conviction leads to my first principle: to settle my heart and mind with the Word. That frees me from self-inflicted stress and energises my spirit and strength to face stress from surrounding agents. Daily prayer and meditation give me a fresh start each day.
Secondly, I follow the light of the Word for my path—walking the talk, doing in accordance with a cleansed conscience. My obedience thus comes from wisdom, and my understanding of challenges helps me walk through them.
Thirdly, I equip myself with sufficient ability and energy to accomplish my daily work towards ultimate goals. Each night I review and meditate on what I have done during the day—reflecting on right and wrong, refocussing on aims and priorities. In doing so, I apply physical action, mental reframing, and relaxation practices to renew and reenergise myself. This sits well with my daily tai chi—refreshing my mind and rejuvenating my body.
Unintentionally, stress is both friend and enemy—a lubricant for a striving spirit, yet an obstacle on the path to success. Both demand proper attention for overall wellness and success.
Furthermore, stress is neither time-barred nor geographically separated. It is a shared subject needing management beyond the personal level. When stress between people or nations is unresolved, conflict—even war—is inevitable.
As the saying goes, “A single spark can start a prairie fire.” May the lines below guide you to Him, the everlasting light, the true freedom from all pressing stress in life.
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All Things Begin with One
A single spark can start a prairie fire—
yet cannot spread without human error.
Success in life may come with ease—
yet cannot surpass human diligence.
One firefly alone gives no light;
ten thousand gathered tear across the vast sky.
A drop of water can form a river;
a drop of water can also bring disaster.
Bad and good—each person sees them differently.
All things begin with a single start;
they say where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Hope for your good—not another’s harm.
If you walk single-mindedly in the Way,
and in all things acknowledge Him,
your good will surely become good for others.
