Christmas Time Is Here!!!

Everybody cheer, Christmas time is here. Finals are done, now I start to run around that is, for gifts for friends. There is so much to grab, so much is needed I asked for so much, I begged and I pleaded. I grabbed all the tinsel and three it on the tree I grabbed a few stockings for family, friends and me. I threw up some garland and put on a Santa Hat. My friend got into the Santa suit and petted our cat I grabbed my debit card and off I ran buying my gifts with lots of bags in my hands. At home I wrapped and placed near the chimney Oh I nearly forgot to get and decorate a tree. Off on another adventure I found the right one Home to decorate and have a little fun. Once it was lit and all was hung I knew my job had just begun. wait or was it done ....wink wink

Christmas time is full of errands to run, things to do, people to see, and songs to sing. It is supposed to be one of the most exciting and fun seasons of the year. Sadly though i have run into many people who do not like Christmas. HOW CAN THEY NOT LIKE CHRISTMAS?!?

That is a good question. Who would not like Christmas? Scrooge....well before he changed. Yes that is a symptom for Christmas. People turn into Scrooge's. So How do you know if you are turning into one?

1. Do you have trouble going into a store because you cannot stand the ringing of the bells?
2. Do you have a dislike for wrapping Christmas Presents?
3. Do you dislike Christmas Trees, all even the fake ones?
4. Do you gag when you hear Christmas Songs?
5. Do you avoid going out and shopping during Christmas?
6. Do you want to scream?
7. Do you hear chains in your home?
8. Have you been visited by a ghost?

If you answered Yes to any of the above you are having a symptom of Christmas.

Remember Christmas time is a time for smiling and having fun. Yet if you are stressed out how can you have the fun? Breathe enjoy looking at all the decorations around. There are so many lights. Do not stress about small things. A nice gift for 20 dollars for most people is a 10 dollar gift card to food and a 10 dollar gift card to the movies. Gift cards are fun, you don't have to stress about not knowing what the other person wants because they can go get it for themselves.

A gift for a family under ten dollars: the dollar store

• 1 basket
• 2 movies
• popcorn
• Hot cocoa
• 4 mugs with candy in them

Arts and Crafts family:
Find a place that will teach you how to make something and you get to keep the product. Pay the ten dollars for each person or whatever the price is. I know a family that makes candles and they let people make the candle and take it home and it ranges in price. The price I did was 10 dollars. I got a heart candle and got to pick out my colors, my scent, my designs, and then I got to make it myself with the help of their time.

Gifts for the whole family to give away:

1. approx 7 dollars for the chalk spray
2. you can get jars from the dollar store or recycle jars you have
3. Marshmallows dollar store
4. Hot cocoa dollar store
5. Chocolate chips dollar store
6. Ribbon dollar store
7. Chalk dollar store

Spray the jars outside of the house the day before with the chalk spray. (only spray the OUTSIDE of the Jar ONLY) The next day: inside the jars fill up with hot cocoa, marshmallows, chocolate chips in layers. Place on lid and tie a ribbon on it. Let the kids use chalk and decorate. Dollar store mugs work as well.

You can even do these jars as surprise jars... guess what is on the inside with a clue drawn with chalk on the outside. This is a fun craft.

Good gifts right now would be gift cards to an all purpose or grocery store. Such as Walmart where they can get clothes if needed, or bathroom items, or A grocery store for food. Right now a lot of people are struggling and this can help them get by. Or be creative and make a gift basket of those items. Dollar store would be good to pick up bathroom stuff for a gift basket.

Another fun thing for Christmas is to get the kids involved in cooking and baking and make plates (dollar store plates) and fill them up with the goodies you and the kids made.

** Can you tell I like the dollar store**

So what if you don't have a dollar store where you live?
The thing about Christmas is not to stress. You can always come up with something. If you don't have a dollar store or money then think about re-gifting nice items that you have not used and would not use. Be truthful. If you had a sweater that still has the tag on it that you have not touched in three years then more then likely that should be the first thing to re-gift.
Another idea is to make a coupon book yourself add things like:

• One free day of hugs
• One hour of cleaning
• One hour help with baby sitting
• One silly song
• One hour foot massage or back/shoulder massage

****Be creative****

One year I had beads that I had not touched in a very long time and I had some of my friends kids over and decided we were going to make bracelets for everyone for gifts. In fact any crafts is good for people. I had a friend that loves to do puzzles so they put a puzzle together, glued it, framed it and gave it to me as a gift. I LOVE IT. It is hanging in the front room. Everyone gets to see it when they come in and I had a lot of people comment on how beautiful it is.

A gift could be a day together. Me and my friend took a gift day for each other and we just made food, watched a movie, and laughed talking about things that happened in the past. Remember if you have no money and you know you get paid after Christmas you can do a IOU a dinner or whatever you want to owe.

Just remember not to stress you can always do something for someone. Just think positively and pray. God always provides. An example of that is one year I had no money to get everyone a gift. I prayed and prayed and got nervous as time got closer. I started to stress but stressing was doing nothing. I prayed again asking for help. I was told to be patient, think positive and everything will be fine. Well a week before Christmas I got two gifts early, one from a secret Santa and one for a belated birthday. (My birthday is December 7th). Both were candy which I don't really like. It was the nice kind of candy that was in a box set that they order through places like sees candy and such. I was so excited because I needed two gifts for two people and I just got them from other people. I re-wrapped them still unopened and gave them to others.

Other ideas:

1. Get a notebook and write out recipes
2. Draw a note card
3. Offer to walk with a friend for a week and do other fun things like Bob Harper's or Jillian Micheal's workout (works for those who say they want to go to a gym)
4. Offer to be a chauffeur for a day
5. Offer to do some house work or garden work
6. A gaming day where you compete on video games all day at your house if you have the consoles or theirs so they have a friend to play with.
7. A day going around looking at all the Christmas lights.
   

If you need more ideas you can always ask me or a fun site for cheap gift ideas is:

http://www.saving-money-makes-cents.com/
http://tr-work-from-home-ideas.com/
http://find-your-abs-fitness.com/
http://www.online-games-your-way.com/
http://www.kidpartyideas.blogspot.com/

Stay tuned for fun decorations for Christmas

~Hugs Keyria~

Phew

What a week!!!

How did you do on your challenge? Were you able to save a few dollars? What about do a few things around the house? Were you able to complete a goal?

My friend had a goal of signing up for classes at a college and for applying to a job. That was his goal for this week. Two small achievable goals. He went and got the application but that was it. The rest of days he just worked and rested at home. I decided I would help him finish the goals.

So I told him I wanted to hang out this afternoon. From 2 to 6pm. I told him we had some errands to run and his reward would me treating him out to eat. Lol Men and thier stomachs :)That gave me time in the morning to do some of my own goals (taking meds, cleaning, and doing other chores).

He showed up around 2 and we went straight to the college. We went in and found out what classes he needed and which ones were open. We then proceeded to fill out the paper work and get a councelors signature and sign up for classes :)

I was excited to see that he was able to get into one of the classes he really wanted to be in. Especially since most classes were full right now. He did sign up for a class under waitlisted. I was happy to see that it was not waitlist full either.

From there I helped him fill out the application and then turned it into where the drop off was.

Surprisingly he treated me to a quick look around the zoo. (I love animals) and then I took him to go eat.

I just walked throught he door not to long ago and finished getting my laundry together for tomorrows goal.

It was really nice to have a friend to go do things with. I know he was happy. He told me that I completed him. He means that without me going with him he may not have gotten these goals done today. This worked for me, I needed a break from my goals and wanted to visit with a friend. We both had a good day and both achieved goals.

The reason why todays was more of a journal entry is because I want you to see that you can achieve goals and still have fun doing so. Goals do not have to be stressful.

My friend kept pushing them off which would cause them to be stressful come the deadline. Instead we took a day that normally we would have gone to the movies or just goofed off and used it to achieve goals... plus we squeezed in fun with food and going to the zoo.

We made the goals into a fun day!

Ok Now your turn. Write me and tell me what goals you finished this week...or made progress on. It doesnt have to be fully achieved even if you just moved and only unpacked one box that is an achievement in itself.

I will try and post pics of some of my goals that happened last week for you during this week
.
Cant wait to hear from you!!!

~Hugs Keyria~

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength"~Phillipians 4:13

Remember A Time

This morning I would like you to remember a time when you had to overcome stress to achieve a goal this year. How did you do it? How did you feel? What actions did you take? Then I want you to just breathe for a while today. Go back and read the first stress tip up until now.... Use one of the methods mentioned for today. You can just breathe for the rest of the day, go on a mini vaccation, go get a massage, sit under your favorite tree, do a hobby, write and much much more. Pick at least one and just relax today. Keep yourself calm.

~Hugs Keyria~

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalms 37:3-6

Stress Tip #29 Two day blog day 2

#29 Fantasy Vrs Reality

In our world it is hard to grasp what is real and what is not. What is achievable and what is unavailable to achieve. We sit there and dream more we do when we apply. We sit and say if I can only just win the lotterey then I could have everything I ever wanted... It would be nice if that were to happen but to be honest not many get to have that fantasy become reality. So most of us have to work for what we want. We cant wiggle our nose, blink our eyes, point a finger or even touch a picture and suddenly it appears. It is not that simple.

We live in a world that is confusing. It says you can have whatever you want... than in tiny print aka fine lettering it says restrictions may apply, batteries not included. We try to please others but we need to realize that fantasy and reality are two seperate things. Sometimes they can merge but it is highly unlikely that it will happen....

Todays reality was there was a blog to be posted. My fantasy that it would be perfectly posted this morning with no problems. That I would have all my goals finished by the end of the day. But unfortunately reality took ahold. I ended up not getting the blog posted until late because of a friend that was in need of some help, errands to run and health problems that decided to occur.
I may dream for that perfect house, backyard, car, mate, children, job, money, etc. It is a nice dream but dont consume yourself into it. If it happens be greatful but if it doesn't don't stress about it. Somethings come easy others come harder. We have to practice those harder things to make perfect.

Our fantasy: All goals achieved succesfully
Our reality: Goals are in progress, daily life stressors needing to overcome.

As one reader wrote: Be content with what you have. Take small steps to get to our goals. ~T

Don't go to fast for you may fall and miss something important. So take your time, be strong and you will succeed remember the story of the turtle and the hare?

Todays Challenge: See if you can find the difference of reality vrs fantasy in your goals right now.

~Hugs Keyria~

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13

Stress Free Tip #29 Two day blog

Haley peered closer to the picture. She was looking into a princess book her mother had got her for her birthday. The picture she had been engulfed in was that of the princess bedroom. With wonder in her eyes she looked at all the clothes in the closet. "Oh what beautiful dresses" she thought in her head. She looked over at her closet to see the most common clothes then back at the picture. She looked at the huge bed in the middle of the room with the veil lace around it and on top as if it was its own secluded room. Her bed was a simple small bed no lace veil or anything. She sighed. She looked at the huge rug on the floor and the chandelier light. She looked at the huge mirror and how the room was all glittery pink and white. Her room was a disaster zone: clothes lying on the floor, toys everywhere, no real color but a throw up of random colors everywhere. Again she sighed. She crossed her legs as she peered back into the book. Then all the sudden she jumped up. Almost knocking the book off the bed.

"I can do this." She said to no one in particular. She made a goal to make her room into the same looking room of the one in the book. She started to clean. As she cleaned she found toys she hadn't seen in a while and would be distracted playing with them. After a while she would realize she was forgetting to clean and start to clean but get tired real soon. Weeks went by and she did try to clean but it was not going like she had expected. after a month she looked in her room. There wasn't much that changed other then the clothes were now in a pile on the floor instead of spread out. She sighed. Nothing is ever going to change.

When her mother came in she saw that Haley was down. She asked " Why the sad frown darling?" With a sigh Haley explained she wanted the princess room. She said but she can't because of the mess. Her mother smiled. "I seen you did try. So why not if we can get a hamper so you have something to throw your clothes into. And a Toy box for the toys. Lets see and we can move those there and this here..." Her mother went to work planning. She explained that even though she had ideas that meant full commitment on Haley to do as she is told.

A couple days later her room was cleaned with a new hamper and toy box. She looked at her room then at the picture then back at her room. She sighed once again as her mother came in to wish her a good night. "What is wrong dear?" Haley shrugged and turned away. Her mother looked down and saw the picture of the room. "Oh that is a pretty room. Still I like yours better." Haley squished up her face. There was so much more to do. She had to paint, get fancy dresses, a rug, chandelier and more. Oh why couldn't her mother see this isn't even close to a princess room. Her mother seeing her daughter disappointed still kissed her forehead. "When I was younger I wanted to have a pony. I had to have a pony. It was my dream." Haley turned and looked at her mom. Her eyes were now in wonder. Her mother wanted a pony? That is silly where was she supposed to keep it? She had seen her grandmas house where her mom grew up. There was no room inside or out for a pony.

"I wanted it sooo bad. I didn't understand the reality of my situation. I never asked myself: Where would I keep my pony and who would care, clean, feed and pick up after it and how could I afford it." I was to busy dreaming of having a pony that I never thought about those things. Your grandma got me a stuffed horse for my birthday, a rocking horse and a tkt to the fairgrounds to go ride the ponies. As much as those were wonderful gifts I was not happy. I wanted the real pony not a fake one. I wanted to own not just ride one." Haley's mother stopped and smiled. "It took me some time to realize what I had was wonderful. Not many kids in my class had a rocking horse of their own, nor did the get to go to the fair. Yes it would have been fun to have a horse but allot of work goes into having one and I know I would not have been prepared for it. We don't always get to have everything we want but we do get to have things and make them our own special things. I never got a pony but that birthday ended up being one of the funnest birthdays I ever had. Everyone wanted to come over and play at my house with the rocking horse, my friends were all jealous I got to ride on a pony and everyone believed I was a true cowgirl. I believed it too. I didn't have to own a horse for that."

Haley looked at her book. She sighed again. "I just wanted to be a princess" she said softly. "But you are. You are my princess!" She looked at her mother and smiled. She sat up and hugged her.
"You know, I think I have a crystal ornament we can hang from the wall to make into the chandelier, and that pink rug at the store would go good with the pink paint we found for your walls. And I was thinking maybe we can invite a few of your friends to come over and help put glitter on your walls. What do you think?" Haley's eyes widened and excitedly she said "Mom I love you! You are the best. You are my Queen and I am your princess. This is going to be better then that princess room." Her mom stood up and started to go for the door. "You know I was going to save these for your birthday in two days but I think you might want to see how they will look now." Her mother left the room for a second then came back with some wrapped boxes. "Go ahead open them up" Haley started to unwrap the three boxes in front of her. Each box had two princess dresses in them. Her mother hung them up in her closet then kissed her night. As Haley was lying she stared into her closet. The nightlight glow made a soft glow around the dresses. Haley fell asleep peacefully.

Todays challenge: What do you think this story is about that could help us to be stress free? leave a comment or email me. I just want you to enjoy the story today and tomorrow I am going to discuss the tip.

Stress Free Tip #28 Read

"Hahaha lol Hahha I love 'Zits' it is the best comic strip out there" Jenny kept laughing. She had the newspaper in her hands. She smiled at some of the other comics but 'Zits' was no doubt her favorite comic of all times. She had to read it first before any of the others or sometimes she would savor the wait and read it last so she would end on a good note. Her father liked reading about investments, her mother about world crises, and brother the sports, but comics was her thing. Each of them would sit and enjoy their section of the newspaper. It was a daily family thing that they did. It relaxed them and got them all prepared for the day... (well sometimes her mother wasn't relaxed because of the horrid stuff she would read, or her dad because of investments going down or even her brother if his team did bad... still more than often it was a quiet peaceful time)

#28 Read

I love to read. I love that you can actually get into a book and feel as if you were someone else for a while. How you can actually become that person you feel what they feel as you read their life. You become that character yourself and you relate to the character. Reading is a past time that most find very relaxing.

When I was little I would read alot! I loved all the different books. However as I got older I stopped reading and more stress came into my life. I started to read again and the stress lowered. Whenever I start to stress I sit down on my couch grab a good book and blanket and start to read. I became a different person. Then when I have read a chapter I get back up and start to refocus on what it was that I was having trouble with. Normally I fix it as if I never had the problem after I read. ~Mel Smith

There are many books out there: mystery, sci-fi, romance, childrens, comics, self-help, biography's, etc. There are different books for different people. Not everyone likes the same things, not everyone will relax to a book about romance, some will relax to a book about how to beat a video game, how to fix up old cars, how to play the piano and more. You have to go and check out the books yourself to see what will relax you. Maybe you like the how to books, or magazines about clothes, maybe you are a child at heart and love the children books.

When I was little I enjoyed reading Dr. Seuss and now as I am older I still do. I see more of wisdom in his words and not just fun sayings as before. Dr. Seuss books are amazing you can enjoy them all through life. Mark Twain did a great job on Tom Sawyer, and the Adventures of Huck Finn, and Robin Jones Gunn was wonderful in doing books for all ages, children, teens (Christy miller series) and adults (SisterChicks). Of course then there is the greatest book of all (to me that is) Called the Bible. I look up to these authors. Their joy for writing, where it came from and how I could get it. I love to write but when I can not write, I enjoy reading. ~Kristina Hollon

I could feel the seamist breeze of the ocean as I watched the sea gulls fly above me. I looked back out at the gentle waves. Oh how the sun glimmered across the water. I dug my toes deeper into the wet sand and wiggled them around a bit. It felt good. How I wish I could stay here forever in this moment. I wonder what it would be like to live out there in such a different world. I looked down at the sand all around me. There was a few shells near by, but not many. I knew where to go if I wanted shells instead in fact it just amazed me that right here was not hardly any shells but not more then a few steps away over the rocks was another sanded rocky beach that had lots of shells. Not many people knew of this place. Nor was I about to spill my secret to them. It was my hiding place. Oh what a perfect hiding place it was. No one around to bug me, just the sound of the waves as they roll in and the seagulls talking to each other. I seen a crab scurry by busy with its ocean life. I looked back out at the ocean. I wanted to savor every bit of this moment. This was my home. This was where I was meant to be. ~Author Kristina Hollon from "Seamist of Oceanbreeze" ~ (Story is copyrighted, if you would like to know where you can read more from her, Send me an email and I will give you information on how to order her books)

You can find yourself in new wonderful places you have never been before if you open a book and begin to read. In fact alot of movies out now a days are originally from books or made into books. I am sure you can name a few like Twighlight series, Harry potter series, Lord of the Rings, Notebook, A Walk to Remember...the list can go on for hours.

Reading can also help you to expand your knowledge, learn something new, try something new, and live outside of the box for a bit. Turn your world upside down for a bit. Be an adventure, become involved in a mystery, fight for justice, become a princess rescued by a prince. Enjoy a good laugh, cry, a learned lesson from the moral. Just like the tale of Despereaux, the little mouse begins to read and learns how to be a gentleman and more, from reading a book and putting it to life.

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities. ~Dr. Seuss: US author & illustrator (1904 - 1991~)

Today's Challenge: Go read a book. Take a chapter a day. Find a fun book that looks interesting and start to read. It can be a story, a biography, a how to, mystery, or anything else that catches your eyes. Just go out and read a book. Have a little imagination today.

~Hugs Keyria~
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, & he shall meditates day & night ~Psalms 1:2~

Poem Time

This I must confess

that sometimes life can be a stress

With all our promises and all our goals

We walk around counting Woes

I have this to do and that to have done

I have this to get and that to have run

Work, school, errands, meetings

Hello! Goodbye! Oh Simple quick greetings

In and out of stores

in and out of doors

Clean the house, mow the lawn

Run another errand wont be long

I forgot this and that

I think I left it under the hat

Run around all through town

Sometimes I feel my world upside down.

To face my goals I must prepare

For stress to leave and me to share

my fustrations, and concerns to a friend

so they can help, they jump right in

Soon my stress seems far away

and goals are completed each new day.

Here I am to tell you

dont be afraid to ask too

With a prayer, meditation talk to a friend

somehow stress starts to end

And a smile appears upon your face

as relaxation is in your body from grace

May you have a Blessed day

With sucessful goals in every way.

Stress Free Tip #27 Fish Tanks

Yesterday we talked about water well I thought I might add this one in.

"Blub Bloop blub bloop" four year old Kalvin said. He was looking into the fish tank. "Are you talking to the fish? Have they said anything back?" Kasandra, kalvins older sister asked him. She had just turned six and her family had gotten her a fish tank. Kalvin loved going into her room and watching the fish. Kalvin didn't respond. he was to busy looking into the fish tank. "Which one is your favorite?" Kasandra asked. She already knew the answer for she had hasked it many times before. She just wanted him to talk. He was not much of a talker yet. He pointed to the small guppy. She smiled. Her favorite was the algae eater. She could not pronounce its full name so she named it plexy for short. She got closer to the tank like her little brother and they both peered in. "Do you know how many fish are in there?" Kalvin held up four fingers. "That is right. The same number as your age!" Kasandra answered back. They peered into the tank for quite some time.

"Time to get ready for bed." Thier mother said as she entered the room. "Can Kalvin do a sleep over again?" The kids had seperate rooms and at night Kalvin would sneak into her room to watch the fish. Thier mother found out and started to let him do sleep overs. "Kalvin would you like to stay in Kassys room tonight?" Kalvin nodded not taking his eyes off the fish tank. A smile spread across the mothers face and she started to get his bed set up in Kasandras room. At night all you could hear was the water running through the filter and see the fish swimming around. This soothed both kids and put them fast asleep.

Within a few months Kalvin had gotten a fish tank of his own. It calmed him when he felt like crying, it calmed him when he felt like screaming. The fish tank calmed him as he watched the fish swim in circles. His mother seemed to notice this helped him to think more and stay calm and relaxed more. You see before he would scream and cry all the time. In a few days they had a small fish tank in almost every room of the house.

#27 Fish Tanks

There is something magical, mystical, something just plain peaceful about fish tanks. We love to see what kind of fish are in there and we are glued to thier every move. They glide so peacefuly around in the tank. So graceful that we are at ease. There are all different kinds of fish; big, small, round, long, brightly colored, dull colored, some with long noses, some with a wave to thier movement. Yet we are all entranced into thier world of magic. We sit and wonder what it may be like to be a fish or we just enjoy the serinity of it.

I like a ghost fish. They move while staying in one spot. My younger brother loves sharks. typical boys lol. My little sister loves our guppies. She thinks those are the prettiest things ever. One of our guppies had babies, we were not at home when it happened so when we got home we only saw one left. So my sis got to keep it in a smaller tank in her room. We didn't tell her the other ones may have been ate. Our molly had babies too. We found two and saved them. -Brenda

My favorite fish is the plecostomus. Alot of people that don't know fish really well ask me "What is that?" A plecostomus is a fish that eats algae from your tank. they are not much of swimmers but you will find them on inside of the tank walls, on the rocks, and any decoration you have in your fish tank. They are good at cleaning it so you don't have to clean as often. I think they are gorgeous and they can grow to be quite huge. There is this game I like to play online called fishworld and you can actually buy fish and one of them is the plecostomus. If you get that fish your tank will be clean and you dont have to clean it lol. -Kiley

I have a small fish tank and keep hardy fish like a betta or gold fish. However I love to go to the aquariums at zoos. Especially Monterey Bay. They have such a wide view of OCEAN fish and I love it. I think my favorite is the sun fish and the jelly fish. Those jelly fish are so amazing to watch. They move slowly and gracefully that I am hypnotized by them. In fact it is hard to move me away from that tank once I have seen it. My friend gets the same way with the Dolphins at Discovery Kingdom. She says she loves to just sit in front of the tank and she would sit there all day everyday if she could. -Trista

There is just something about fish that makes us forget about the world around us. It eases our minds and stress.

Todays Challenge: Watch fish! Go visit a pet store and look at all the different fish, if you have your own tank watch your fish, or go online and watch a video on fish. Today just look at the fish and watch them move.

~Hugs Keyria~

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10

Stress Free Tip #26 Water

It's Summer time here
so there is nothing to fear.

I am all set....to get wet.
Jump in the pool just to stay cool.
The water is refreshing,
an honest true blessing.
The water how it shimmers.
Oh look at all the swimmers.
They jump in, for a swim.
Grab your bathing suit, trunks & fins
then come on over and lets begain;
To have fun ....in the sun.

#26 Water

I love water! I love to go to the ocean, lake, rivers, pools and just to watch how the water shimmers from the sunlight that hits it. I get filled with joy. In fact Incubus said my exact feelings in thier song "Wish you were here." Thier lyrics "I dig my toes into the sand. The ocean looks like a thousand diamonds strewn across a blue blanket. I lean against the wind. Pretend I am weightless and in this moment I am happy happy" is exactly how I feel.

Most of us don't just like to look at the water but we love to jump in. We go out to the lake, ocean, sometimes rivers but mostly pools and we dive in and have fun. Splashing about enjoying the feeling of being light as a feather. Almost like flying but in water. We love how it cools our bodies. It even helps us stay fit. Amazing how water can be so healthy for us.

When you are stressed out have you ever noticed that if you go take a warm shower, get into a hot tub (even a pool) and slowly move around or just stay in one spot letting the water hit you sooths you. The shower is like a warm massage against your back, the jacuzzi is the same. The pool you slowly move and can just feel grace. By being in water you calm yourself down. (of course some have exceptions like being afraid of water, stranded, or not able to swim but you can still enjoy water)

When you swim you feel different then when you are out of the water walking. It is a different kind of feeling. You feel graceful, peaceful, and some feel mighty. Maybe that is because you can lift heavy things in the water easier then out of the water.

Water is a way of health. You should be drinking water all throughout the day to stay healthy, also you can use water as a form of exercise. You can swim, do areobics in the water, use water wieghts, water fights, go on water rides, water rafting, kanoeing, sailing, or water slides, water parks, water is a great source of fun.

So what are you waiting for? Go have fun with some water lol

Todays Challenge: (You have two this time)

First Drink a cup of water. Your choice of how cold warm or hot you want it to be.

Second have fun with water by: jumping into some water if you can or just got and watch it shimmer in the sun! Go to the lake, to a pool, a beach. However if you can't do any of those things set up a sprinkler go run through it or even just get the water hose and spray it on yourself. You could get friends together and go to a water park, go have water guns or even water balloon fights.

~Hugs Keyria~

With joy you will draw water from wells of salvation~ Isaiah 12:3

Stress Free Tip #25 Addictives

"Mmmm Coffeeeee" "No way SODA is the best!" "You both wish. Pixie stix are the best" Melanie, Kindra, and Josie were all sitting in a circle talking about thier biggest crave and which was the best. "Pixie stix?" Melanie asked sarcastically? "Yes, Pixie stix. Have you ever heard of it?" Josie asked back sarcastically. "Isn't that the candy that is basically just sugar? It comes in a small tube and is all different colors?" Kindra asked. Both Josie and Melanie nodded their heads. "Oh I love that candy. Ooh now I want that and soda" Kindra said. Both Melanie and Josie started to laugh. Kindra joined in.

#25 Avoid addictive activities

Ok most of us love getting either coffee, soda or candy. We love the way it taste and we become addictive to it. Sugary items are definitely not healthy for us to have a lot of. Yet we all have a lot of it and before we know it, we are out of control with it. How can coffee, soda, candy or whatever it is you are addicted to get out of control? Glad you asked, lets look at soda:

If you live in America most if not all have tried soda at least once. Those of us that drink soda usually start off slow and have a soda every now and then. However soon we start to have soda once a day. That once a day soda then turns into three times a day. Later on it turns into seven times a day and so forth. Or the soda may stay at three times a day but now we start using a bigger cup then before. Ok, so we drink alot of soda. No biggie right? Wrong, It wouln't be a biggie if you were not addicted but since you are then there is a problem. WHY? Glad you asked again:

We are so addicted to these items that we cant handle being without them. And when a health issue or some other reason arrives that says "Sorry you cant have that anymore." We become angry, aggravated, irritated, annoyed and so forth. Not fun to be around and we are very upset that we start to stress.

I know a person that is so addicted to sodas that if they don’t have their sodas they get really bad Migranes. They also become very cranky until they have thier next soda. Migranes, emotions are your body fighting the withdrawal of the addiction. Though these are small addictions they can lead into more unhealthier addictions like Drugs and alcohol. Some can even skip the small and go straight into addictions that are more harmful then just a migrane.

You can have these items however do so in a appropriate manner. Take notice to how much you consume. I know a person that does a journal. She writes all the foods, drinks, and activities she did that day. She says this helps her monitor her addictions.

Did you know activities other then eating and drinking can be addictive? I am not just talking the typical drugs or smoking but other activities. Some run to get healthy, others run cause that is an addictive behavior for them. It gets thier adrenaline going. Some use not eating and become very unhealthy. They stress thier own body out by doing this. Some get so addicted to the television set they forget thier reality and the television series become thier reality.

Some love drama and they gossip just to have that drama in thier lives it is a addictive behaviour, Some prepare for a concert so much that winning is all they care about and forget their friends this is an addictive behaviour, Some lie so much they forgot the truth this is an addictive behaviour, Some what to look the best that they stress thier bodies and some love money so much that if you don't help them succeed with that then they have no want or use to be your friend. These are a few of addictive activities.....What is yours??

We have to watch what we do and only do it in moderation. Be aware of our surroundings, our actions, and our consumption. Alot of us become to addicted to something that we forget about our life. By doing this we stess us, our bodies, and our family and friends out.

Todays Challenge: What are you addicted to? Is it soda? Coffee? Candy? Money? Shopping? Your challenge is to give it up for a whole day. If you love to play video games for one day you are not allowed to play them, love to shop, for one day dont shop. It may be hard because you are addicted if it is not then try something more challenging give it up for a week. See how well you do. If you become upset, cranky or irratible try having a friend help you out or take and make substitutions. You cant shop but you can go window shopping, you can play a game about shopping. Try Super Poke Pets, or Petville both are shopping and decorating. Can't drink soda then try lemonaide or punch. Can't have candy try a fruit it is just as sweet. Good luck.

~Hugs Keyria~

For in that day every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold your sinful hands have made. Isaiah 31:7

Stress Tip #24 Dim the lights

"Hahaha that is great do it again of on of on of on!" Tabitha said to her older sister Danielle. Her older sister was making her laugh as she turned on and off the lights to make a strobe look for her. "haha I love it. I wish it could do that all the time." Danielle turned on the lights full and left them there as she went over to her bed. "O.K time for us to do homework." She said and pulled out her workbook. Tabitha giggled then calmed down. Tabitha got up went over to the lights and started to flicker them on and off. "Come on Tabby we had fun lets do our homework before mother yells at us." But Tabby kept going. She giggled and giggled. Then she stopped the lights went off and there was no sound. "Tabby?" Danny said confused. She could barely make out the form near the light switch. "Turn on the lights" but the form didnt move. Danielle got up and moved slowly to the lights. Her sister still didn't move. "Tabby, are you ok?" She said as she turned ont he lights. "AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Her sister screamed at the top of her lungs. danielle got scared. Something was wrong. "Turn them Offfff!!!! Tabitha screamed. Danielle could see the tears coming from her sisters eyes. She shut off the lights quickly. Tabitha was still making noises but she wasn't screaming. "What is going on?" Danielle asked after a while of waiting with her sister in the dark. "My head hurts" Tabitha said through the sobs. Right then Danielle understood...Migrane. "lets get you to the bed. Lets lie down and relax you can see the glowing stars on our cielings it will relax you because it is not to bright. I will go get mother for her to help with meds." Danielle got Tabitha into bed and went and got her mother. As her mother talked to her they realized the flickering lights were fun at first but then they caused a migrane on tabby and that wasn't fun. Her head was hurting when they first started but because Danielle kept stopping it was slowly becoming intense. Then with Tabby she kept going which caused it to peak. After sleep and her medication Tabitha felt better. But to be on the safe side they lowered all the lights and made it a calm setting house for her.

#24 Lower the lights

You know how when you have a migraine you can’t handle sound or light. Well to relax yourself you turn off or lower them both. We do this cause it causes more of a relaxed calm setting. This helps wtih the pain we have to lower itself or vanish completely. In this same way we can relax by doing the same. We feel at ease after we lower the lights.

Bright lights are good for certain activities but we lower the lights for alot. I like to watch movies but I dont like bright lights in the room. It draws away from the movie and distracts me. It makes me to focused of what I may need to do around me then for me to relax. So if I lower, dim, or shut the lights off and watch a movie. I am more relaxed and focused on the movies. -Jim

The only bright light I want to see is Jesus Christ. There are so many bright lights that they do give headaches. You walk into a store and thier lights are on so bright that you are blinded and want to leave as quickly as possible. I tend to shop in a low light setting stores. I like when they have one light on one light off throughout the store. For one it feels like they are saving energy and for two it is not so bright that it hurts me. Usually they tend to be the smaller stores. It does help cause if you want to draw attention to a paticular selling items you can use a light right there and it drowns out what you may not want to be noticed around it. But dont think it will drown out all things. When I go into a dim lighted store I want to stay in there longer checking everything out and seeing what I want whereas when I go into a bright light store I may quickly walk out or I may try to grab what I want really fast and then run out. (of course I pay for it first). -Amy

I like when the lights are low or off because you get to see more light! What I mean by that is we just had fireworks for the Fourth of July. If we did it during the day it just would not look as nice but at night it looks wonderful. At Christmas we use lights to decorate our houses. During the day they are not much to look at but at night they are bueatiful and we have gone to a black light mini golf. It is dark but bright on the course. It is neat to see these things. Had the lights been on brights we would not see them to thier full potential. -Chris

I love candles. I use them to unwind at the end of the day. Instead of having on all the lights I put on a candle. Read a book and just injoy. Besides candles are very romantic and what girl does not like romance? -Elaine

Bright lights, Low lights, no lights. It is amazing how a light can affect us in different ways:

• No lights makes us want to sleep
• low lights we are at eased (typically romantic, relaxed or stress free)
• Bright lights is more for having fun (waterpark, concerts here we come!)

Todays challenge: Take 15 minutes or more and lower the lights at your workplace, home or where ever you may find you need. Sit back and relax. You can put on music, watch a movie, just do something in low lights. Check out the difference.

~Hugs Keyria~

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Stress Free Tip #23 Have a good meal

The aroma coming from the kitchen was almost to much to bear for Martha. She knew she was not allowed in the kitchen still she stared at the door. She could just barely taste each of the smells that were being released out of the kitchen on her tounge. She never really had to sit at a table and wait for a meal. In fact she never really got to have a meal other than what she could scavage from the garbage bins. This was her first "True" meal that she could remember. She couldn't even imagine this moment a day ago even if she tried but here she was now in brand new clean clothes not the rags she had worn for years. She kept fidgeting with her dress and looking back at the kitchen doors. She never wore a dress and it would have been more of a concern to her but the smell of the food was more exciting than anything.

"Hang in there. It wont be much longer." Josh, a blonde hair blue eye lad said. He was near the same age as her and was all dressed in a nice pant and shirt. She smiled weary at him. He chuckled. Josh was the son of the family that took her in. They had met her the day before. She was in a alley way being bullied by a few boys. She had been bullied by them before. Josh had seen it and said something to his dad. Less then 15 minutes later she was in a car being driven away from the world she used to live in. They had finalized everything with lawyers and others on her legalization to become part of thier family. "Family" How wonderful that sounded. She never had one before...well agan not that she could remember. She looked at the plate and silverware in front of her. She was unsure of those items but she thought if it has to do with food it can't be bad.

Suddenly a wiff of the most tasty aroma hit the air and onto her tounge. She looked up to see Chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, and more being brought out to the table. Martha's eyes widen as she looked at all the food. She had never seen so much of it before. She had seen parts of a chicken that was left but never a whole one. She couldn't take her eyes off the food. This had to have been the happiest day of her life.

#23 Have a good meal

I have heard it said "A way to a man's heart is through food." It is true. It pleases him. He becomes happy and satisfied. Have you noticed that if you are stressed out you tend to go out to eat. This helps lower the stress level of cooking a meal. Then you tend to eat something you enjoy and it seems to take the edge off things. This may not be a complete way to cancel the stress but it does lower the stress.

"Eat something you are going to enjoy eating. Whether it is a home cooked meal or a out to eat restaurant. Indulge in something that will fill those taste buds with pleasure. Or skip the meal and just indulge in a desert. Sometimes all we need is that sweet taste and we are more relaxed." ~Janelle

Tip: Dark Chocolate has been known to bring out the happiness in you. So, go ahead and have that apple a day..... but make sure you ask for it to be dipped in dark chocolate lol.

Todays Challenge: Have a piece of dark chocolate!

~Hugs Keyria~

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!~ Psalm 119:103

Stress Free Tip #22 Grumpy and Friends

Do you remember the 7 dwarfs? Doc who was like the head of the house hold, Sleepy who was always tired, Sneezy who couldn't stop sneezing, Bashful that kept batting his eyes, Dopey who most everyone loved. He was the quiet yet sweet hearted one, Happy was always cheerful and then there was Grumpy.

#22 Grumpy and Friends

Sure we all find Grumpy so cute on Snow White, but in this day if we saw someone else being grumpy we would not find them cute. Nor would we be happy around them. We would actually more then likely be pulled down to thier level, thier emotion.

When you smile you have a high chance of someone smiling back at you. Same goes for Grumpy when you are grumpy you can actually make othes around you just as miserable. Funny how that works. It doesn't take much to bring someone into a grumpy state either. You could say one thing wrong and hurt or offend someone. You really do have to be careful.

When you hang out with someone that is down, grumpy, angry, or just being rude, you tend to take on the same qualities. You become upset, down, angry, and rude right back. This is not healthy nor is it helping your situation let alone thiers. I am not saying if a friend is having a hard day to avoid them, but I wouldn't hang out with them for a long period of time. I would say try to cheer them up by taking them on a fun trip to the local zoo, go out for a bite to eat, go see a movie or just go to the park and walk and talk. But if they are still being grumpy after half in hour I would call it a day. Tell them you hope they feel better and if they feel up to something fun later on to call. Then check on them the next day. Sometimes people just need that one day to themselves. At times there is not much we can do for others when they get into this state. They have to pull them out of it themselves. But dont let yourself get consumed into the wallowing and pity.

Grumpy (not Snow White Grumpy) has other friends. These are the ones I would try to stay away from if you can: (using nicknames)
Downer -Down
Loner- Lonely
Saddner- Sad
Angry- Angry
Whiner- whining/Complaining
Dopey (not our cute sweet hearted from Snow White) The drug user
Depress- Depression
PP- Peer Pressure
Lazy- Lazy
And a few others

Instead I would make friends with:
Happy
Joyful
Excited
Laughter
Friendly
Funny
Fun (funny's little sibling)

Peaceful
Harmony
LOVE

Try to only surround yourself with positive.

Todays Challenge: Watch Snow White and the 7 dwarfs. Which character best resembles you? Why? I want you to watch your actions and write them down during the day. This is so you can see your attitude during the day. Are you like happy always laughing and smiling? Or like Grumpy always seeing the bad?

~Hugs Keyria~

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

Stress Free Tip #21 Shopping!!!!

I hope you all had a fun 4th of July. I hope you didn't spend too much on the fireworks. On with today:

One of the best ways for us to feel good is through a simple activity. It is called Shopping.

Most if not all of us LOVE to shop. It is just something fun that we can do. Wether it be to the mall where we can check out clothes, to a toy store for fun and games, Candy Store or to a electronic store for the newest video game equipment it is fun to shop.

#21 Shopping

Now I know some guys out there would say they disagree, however if I said you get to shop anywhere you want then that would change. You see shopping for socks can be a bore, but for tickets to the next game or for fishing/hunting gear. Suddenly you see guys start to jump up.

Shopping is a good stress relief. It lets you get out your fustrations by buying something you want that may please you. However, you should be strict but have fun while shopping. What I mean is this: Be strict by putting a limit to how much you can spend. Look at your budget. If you have an extra 50 dollars only spend 20 that way you still have more for a later shopping spree, if you need it. Or if an emergency should arise you will be more prepared. Have fun as in go out to your favorite store and make a list of what you would love to have and then you can either save that 20 in a jar for those items or you can use that twenty for something else you want. You can even be silly and go buy kid toys.

They other day I was just having a really rotten day. The only bright side was at the end of the day I made 75 dollars in tips. I was going to go home and cool down since it was so hot and yucky when I thought no let me just go to the mall and walk around a bit. I went by my old favorite store that I used to go into as a kid. It had comic books, books, a few toys and odds and ends. I looked around at all the stuff I used to love as a kid. I ran across some water balloons for a dollar. Suddenly a thought came to mind. I picked up a couple of those water balloon packages and headed home. I filled up all the water balloons and stuck them into two buckets of water. I placed them at the corner of the house. I then took up three water balloons and took them out to the balcony. I then called a few of my friends over and said I wanted to take a dip in the pool and to see if they wanted to join me. A couple hours later we were all relaxing in our swimming gears when I said I needed to go get something. As they sat there they didnt know what hit them. I started a balloon fight. It was a blast. They found my stashes of water balloons downstairs and we just acted as if we were little kids again. It took the ease off of my whole day. - Micheal

I have been looking at this dress in this shop for over six months. I never bought it because I didn't have a need for it. One day I just had alot of stress being put on me. I was in the verge of tears. Anything that could go wrong did. I tried to fix it but it just got worse. Finally I gave up and was walking in the mall. When I saw the dress. I walked in and found my size. I tried it on and I just smiled. It was so pretty. I took it to the cashier and purchased my bueatiful dress I had been longing for. I quickly ran home put it on and wore it for the rest of the night. I felt so bueatiful in it that my troubles vanished. A few days later I rewore it and everyone complimented on it. It was wonderful. - Felicia

When me and my friends shop we tend to have fun. We love shops where you can sample things or try things out. I remember going to a toy store once and the workers there were having fun with the customers! It was funny they would challenge them to hula hoop, or jump rope games. Then they would give them a coupon for participating. The workers always looked like they were having fun as well as the customers. We love to find shops like candy stores (free candy) or stores with chairs, swings, and benches. This way if some get tired they can relax while the others shop. - Kirsten

Be wise with your money. Alot of people start to spend and then they spend it all, way to fast. They start to realize that they dont have the money for what they really needed. You really do need to look at your budget first and see what you do have that you can spare. I would not suggest spending more then 1/4th or less then that of what extra you have. If you have 100 to spare spend 20 if that.

People who tend to love money to much, tend to get into trouble.

A good way of learning how to be wise is to visit: saving-money-makes-cents.com. There you will find lots of tips on how to save money and to enjoy the simple things.

Challenge of today: I want you to look at your budget. See if you can spare 5 dollars, I want you then to take that 5 dollars and go by whatever you want. Maybe you like ice cream or are like me and love the dollar store. What ever it is you do have fun.

~Hugs Keyria~

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Proverbs 23:5

Stress Free Tip #20 To Bee Humble

I remember a time when there was this lady, who went to my church. She didn’t have much money but she gave all that she could. She never complained about anything. One day she went to go visit some friends of hers out of town. She would be back in a few days. The youth pastor was in care of her home. He knew everything that was in need of fixing and for those few days us youth came over and we fixed things.

Some of us cleaned the yard up, planting flowers in front of her house and mowing, raking leaves and getting rid of all the weeds. Some of us were painting her house a purplish pink light color. She had mentioned once that she would love to have her house painted that color but she was grateful for the house she had. Others had done some inside cleaning and fixing up. When we were through it looked like a new house.

The lady came back after her trip and she didn’t recognize her house. She stared at this house that was in front of her thinking this can’t be mine. But when the pastor showed up to drop off the key she realized for sure it was her own house. She asked him how it became like this at first he said he didn’t know and it must have been angels but she kept on asking so he explained that us kids needed to get some energy out. He said we were being too rowdy and he decided to calm us down. She laughed, yet had tears rolling down. She said this was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done.

Our Youth pastor said it was God who did it. God made sure all of us kids were free for those days to work on that house. Had it been a few days earlier or later a lot of the kids wouldn’t have been able to do it for many of reasons. That was the best time I had. The best part was she didn’t even know us kids.”

#20 Humble

Don't you love when you give a gift to someone to see thier smiling faces? It brings joy to your heart as well as theres. I love giving gifts. I remember there was a program called Secret Sisters and what we did was we would get a name and then send secret gifts to that person. They never knew who we were not until the end. The joy was to send something to them. For me that stuck with me. I would try and send secret gifts to others that I thought needed them as I grew up. Just the joy of knowing they are getting something they need filled me with happiness. I didn't have to be there to know thier smile. Sometimes I would hear about it later.

I once found this angel statue at a store. It was the only one and I knew exactly who I thought should have it. This lady from work is always smiling, always kind and she is an angel. It needed to be given to her. So I bought it, snuck into work early and placed it on her desk. Later that day I seen her crying. She came over to where I was and I asked if she was ok. She said "You will never believe this. My mother just passed away yesterday. I wasn't even going to leave the house today but when I walked into work and saw this bueatiful angel statue on my desk I felt better. I couldn't help but cry but a cry of calmness. Like I know she is ok. I know everything will be ok. You see my mother collected angels and the one on the desk is the last one she needed. So it just made me feel as if she where here still saying it will be ok. I dont know who placed the angel there but I really believe it was an angel themselves."

I love the smile of another person, it actually can make me smile. If you are stressed out and need a break go volunteer to help others somewhere. The smile on thier face can bring a smile on your face. Don’t do it to get credit but do it to actually help. If you do it to get credit for yourself then you can’t really understand the meaning of helping for all your focusing on is greed.
Todays Challenge: Do something for others and not so much for you. Here are a few ideas that you can do. Go to a person’s home that you know cant care for their yard very well. Ask if you can take care of it in return for some of the flowers they have growing, or do it for free. If you can get flowers take those flowers to the hospital and randomly give them to someone who is in pain. Become anonymous and give items to people that need them. Then come back and send me an email or commet below what you did or even how you felt.


Until Tomorrow...

~Hugs Keyria~

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you ~1 Peter 5:6

Stress Free Tip #19 Compliments

"Wow you have some really nice muscles there" Josh smiled. "Thanks." Josh was just finishing up his last rep of wieghts when he ran into Betty. He was not doing good earlier and decided to go to the gym to let some of his fustrations out. Guess going to the gym is paying off. He thought. They chatted for a bit then Betty went off to do her own exercising. Josh started to work out again but in a better mood. He felt better and happier.

Betty went upstairs to the treadmill room. She wasn't having the best day in the world but she wasn't going to tell others about her problems either. She pushed start and started to walk. Her thoughts running through her head. She wasn't paying attention to anything around her only her thoughts. "Wow, I love your nails!" A woman had gotten on to the treadmill next to her and started walking. She hadn't noticed her. "Huh?" "Your nails they are bueatiful, where did you get them done at?" "Oh thank you. I got them over at FingerSpa." Betty said looking down to see the artwork on her nails. "They are bueatiful. I am Jenna by the way." The woman held out her hand. "Betty" As they talked all of Betty's troubles seemed to vanish. This lady was so kind, telling her how nice her nails, clothes, and hair was. She felt so good. Betty and Jenna ended up becoming workout buddies.

#19 Flattery Flirtatious Fun

This is seriously silly but it can help. Did you know words are a powerful thing? Of course you did. Words are very strong like Honor, Love, Friendship, Supercalafragilelisticexpealadosous (Mary Poppins song), haha ok well most words. You see a word can go along way and when we use them positively we can actually calm ourselves. Flattery, flirty, and compliments are ways that others and you feel good about yourself. If someone were to come over while you were stressed and say “Wow you are such a bueatiful person, or wow how talented you are. You suddenly feel better. You don’t feel as stressed. So why not use that same action. Either tell someone else a compliment or (here comes the silly part) sit in front of a mirror and tell yourself positive things about you.

Wether you see someone looking stressed or it is you that are stressed we need to remember we all need a nice word once in a while.

Today's challenge: I want you to go out and compliment at least one person. If you can make it someone you DON'T know. Yet if you are to shy for that then go ahead and compliment a friend, family member or someone else that you may know. A Smile and a Hi go along ways.

~Hugs Keyria~

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. ~Deuteronomy 31:6

Stress Free Tip #17 Tomorrow Is Just A Day Away

"Jon, seriously, I dont think she is going to be able to help you." Matthew and Jon were walking down the dirt path to a little old cabin. Inside that cabin was a woman by the name of Jazmine Jerlini, the town's palm reader. "I can't stand my life right now and I need help to see the future. To see if it is going to get better than this. I know she can help me. My life right now feels like a wreck. She is my last resort. If she says my life is not going to get any better than..." Jon voice trailed off as he thought. Still he was not slowing down for anything. Matthew trying to keep up, kept on trying to stop him but Jon just would not stop. They made it to the cabin door. Matthew looked down "What if it is just a waste of your money and time?" Jon took a huge sigh then pressed the door open. Matthew watched as he went in out of sight.

#17 Stop Worrying About Tomorrow

How many of us do that. We focus on our future, what tomorrow is going to have in store for us. We are to worried about having the perfect life. We either stress to much about the present, past and/or future. We stop realzing that we need to just relax.

“Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love you! Tomorrow! You’re only a day away!” Sang Annie. Do you remember that story of an orphan girl? No matter what she tried to have high hopes. She didn’t worry about tomorrow instead she looked forward to it as a positive thing. So when you start to think oh I have to do this and this and this and that and this and that and that and etc lol. Think instead of Annie. She didn’t know if she would ever be adopted but each day meant new possibilities of her being adopted.

This is how we should view tomorrow. As a joy, a brand new day with new possibilities.

Today's Challenge: Watch Annie. Go rent it, go borrow it, or go buy it. At any rate go watch it.
~Hugs Keyria~

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:22-23

Stress Free Tip #16 Deactivate to Reactivate Yourself

"Mommy, it's broke. I can't fix it." June was almost in tears when she handed me her newest doll which she named Melody. "What is wrong with Melody?" I asked as I looked the doll over. "She is not talking no more." June whispered. You could see the tears about to burst through her eyes. "It is ok, Dr. Mommy is here for the rescue. It says unscrew the back of the toy, press the black button and hold it down for five seconds. Then release and it will be reset. Lets give it a try." I flipped the doll over and did as instructed. Within seconds the doll begain to work again. All it needed was to be refreshed. "Looks like she is going to make it." I said handing the doll back to June. "Thank you! Thank you Mommy! Your the best Doctor in the whole world! And the best Mommy!" She hugged me then ran off to go play with Melody some more.

#16 Deactivate to Reactivate Yourself

Now I know that must sound so funny to hear. Deactivate to Reactivate? But seriously it works. How can you deactivate? Start by not overwhelming yourself with activities. Alot of people put to much on themselves.

I have to go to college, go to work, go pay a car bill on my break, go back to work, get off go pay another bill, get groceries, drop them off at home, go back to college, go home fix dinner, while doing laundry, clean up after dinner, email a few friends, then head to bed to start the day over. It gets overwhelming especially now that I am joining the chior and have a few extra one day classes that I decided to squeeze in. I know I can do it but it just gets exhausting at times. - Mary

Many people just keep adding and adding until it becomes to much for them to handle. We dont realize we are doing it until the last moment. This brings us to the point of exhaustion, overwhelm, stress, and even can go into extremes. I have heard of people feeling they have to do everything and as soon as they mess up on a minor detail they become majorly depressed even to the thought of suicide. That is not how it should be.

We should enjoy what we are doing at the moment not worring about what comes next on our lists. This is where the lists do come in. Write a list of all that is needed to do and only do the few that needs to be done right away. I am sure I have already written on this before but it is good to reread again. Add a fun activity in with all the normal activities and take out those that don't need to be done.

It is like cleaning out a computer. You delete all the old files, pictures, and programs that you dont use, dont want, and/or dont need. This is what you need to do wtih your normal day to day activities. Do you really need to take that extra class right now? Can it wait until you have finished the classes you have now? Focus on what you have going on now.

Ok I would like to do the cooking class now but I would be so worn out... oh it is being retaught in August. Oh that is better because I dont have as much going on. let me do that instead. I am glad that worked out because I proably would have been stressing about not having time to finish things on time or money to afford the materials since I have other things needing to be paid right now that take priority. Plus this will give me time to relax at home for a bit.

Find the activities you truly enjoy or alternate from activities. Don't let your activities beat you up, instead give your activities the time you and they deserve.

I know I could have graduated along time ago but I am glad that I am not stressed like alot of my friends. I take a couple of classes, work part time and enjoy breathing the rest of the day. I can go for walks with my dog, do my grocery shopping with out having to rush. I enjoy life. I may not have that fancy house like I have seen others have. Instead I have an apartment which I love. It gives me shelter and I can enjoy being in it longer then some that have the fancier houses. They dont get to enjoy them because they are always in a rush." - Melanie

Todays challenge: Take five minutes, make a list of all you do. Wean out what you don't need to do. Make sure you do have one fun day in each day of the week. It doesn't have to be going on trips all the time but maybe watching a movie at home that you have yet to see. See if it makes a difference.

~Hugs Keyria~

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2