tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899894682659638642.post4382866904799415383..comments2023-10-18T08:38:58.474-06:00Comments on Abiding Joy: 'Tis the SeasonCherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12084809272304095697noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899894682659638642.post-82118895761082597062008-12-14T11:02:00.000-07:002008-12-14T11:02:00.000-07:00One thing that helps me to feel less stressed, esp...One thing that helps me to feel less stressed, especially during the holidays, is to have a focus for each day. When the "to do" list is miles long it just gets overwhelming and discouraging. I try to pick just one or two things to focus on each day, rather than trying to attempt everything at once. Then I can feel successful when that's completed. (For bigger projects, I break them down into smaller steps.) And I tell myself I'm not worrying about the other things, I'll choose to do them some other time. I guess it's an attitude thing. And it forces me to prioritize too, so that what really needs to get done does.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09624351403333754381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899894682659638642.post-58523502078806372802008-12-12T09:46:00.000-07:002008-12-12T09:46:00.000-07:00I have been reading this book that I have really b...I have been reading this book that I have really been enjoying. It's called Don't Sweat the Small Stuff. Anyway, the main point is that we tend to live life as though everything is an emergency. When really nothing is an emergency. That really opened my eyes and helped me to remember that nothing is an emergency so why treat it like one.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12234890481850315022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899894682659638642.post-22578564170348932132008-12-11T11:34:00.000-07:002008-12-11T11:34:00.000-07:00Thanks one and all for the great advice. I am fee...Thanks one and all for the great advice. I am feeling less stress in my life than I was a few days ago, so at least there is hope for more progress.<BR/><BR/>And a new comment has been posted on "Gracious Gratitude".Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12084809272304095697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899894682659638642.post-78529000928956846032008-12-11T07:40:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:40:00.000-07:00I have found that reading the Book of Mormon makes...I have found that reading the Book of Mormon makes a huge difference in how I handle the ups and downs of each day. This has been the most consistently helpful action I've found. Because it makes such a big difference I like to make time in the morning to read at least some of this great book.<BR/>Sometimes when my children were still living at home I didn't get to read very much, but even a few verses were enough to sustain me. <BR/><BR/>When I focus on what I am reading and leave other concerns aside, I find peace and direction. I learn more each time I read the Book of Mormon. For instance, this morning I read about when all men will be redeemed through Christ, "...then cometh the time that...he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still" found in Mormon 9:14. Because I want to be happy in the eternities I want to be happy and find joy NOW. There are so many words of encouragement and instruction in the Book of Mormon.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15361218491077375650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899894682659638642.post-31820345567180587042008-12-11T06:44:00.000-07:002008-12-11T06:44:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15361218491077375650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899894682659638642.post-54234314221156772192008-12-10T22:21:00.000-07:002008-12-10T22:21:00.000-07:00I heard a thought years ago when we only had Chris...I heard a thought years ago when we only had Christina and have stuck to it. We give our kids 4 gifts from us each year, one from each of the following categories--body (i.e. clothes), spirit (church stuff), mind (educational), and something just for fun. It helps me keep the giving a little more organized and with a purposeMarkellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12229422894699300604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899894682659638642.post-66325695519191464162008-12-07T16:32:00.000-07:002008-12-07T16:32:00.000-07:00I taught the lesson in RS today, and I chose to ta...I taught the lesson in RS today, and I chose to talk about Elder Perry's talk from general conference about simplicity, and relate it to the Christmas season. A lot of the women had some good ideas, but I think a lot depends on your personality. Some people are just more laid back than others. But my advice would be to keep things simple. Don't overextend yourself. Prioritize, and devote your time to those things that are most worthwhile. Also, a big stressor at this time of year is money. Make a budget and stick to it, no matter what you think others' expectations might be. Plan ahead for next year if you want more money for gifts. Simplify, simplify, simplify.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899894682659638642.post-45912531158478906742008-12-07T15:46:00.000-07:002008-12-07T15:46:00.000-07:00I feel that way too, Cheryl. I try to cut out the ...I feel that way too, Cheryl. I try to cut out the non-essential, although blogging doesn't seem to fall in that category. :) We don't have a Christmas tree b/c we won't be here for Christmas, so that removes a stress but adds some sadness too, especially now with Luke. I have tried to not stress out about my house cleaning and that has definitely helped this week, but has been replaced with stress from Christmas. . . I hope others have some better ideas. :(Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02633492873119438993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899894682659638642.post-39280108440919109712008-12-07T15:38:00.000-07:002008-12-07T15:38:00.000-07:00I'm like you. A lot! I don't have any great advi...I'm like you. A lot! I don't have any great advice, but sometimes I do get that 'aha' moment where I realize (for however brief a time) that this (whatever it is) really doesn't matter that much. Then I am okay until it happens again! Patience is my problem and my biggest stress giver I think. If only I could be more patient, I wouldn't get so much stress.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13566122875553966126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3899894682659638642.post-65319198557341519922008-12-07T13:47:00.000-07:002008-12-07T13:47:00.000-07:00I feel like I have minimal stress in my life. I tr...I feel like I have minimal stress in my life. I try not to plan too many things and to keep calm about things that stress me out such as little man not wanting his diaper changed or clothes on sometimes. I guess I have set my expectations at a low level and I try not to let things get to me. I am not really sure if I can really explain it, but I guess I don't like how I feel when I am stressed so I try not to get that way.Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369336413675199769noreply@blogger.com