I am often asked how is it that I am able to cope with all the stress that goes on in my life. People often say “I don’t know how you do it! I’d go crazy!” I do take these comments as complimentary. But I also think people tend to underestimate themselves. My response to them is usually, “You’d be surprised at what you can handle when you don’t have any other options.” That’s also where God comes in. When things seem impossible, I know it’s God who is giving me strength to not drive voluntarily into a brick wall.
*ok here’s my little disclaimer: I would never drive into a brick wall…….. on purpose. If you really know me, statements like that are all part of my sick sense of humor.*
Nobody is immune to stress. Everybody has different ways of coping with stress. Some coping methods are good. Some are bad. And some are just kind of odd. My husband’s way of coping with stress is by doing Tai Chi. A very good method. He does this every morning. He is very interested in martial arts and has been doing it for the past 13 years. He also runs 4 times a week. He has been trying to get me to do the Tai Chi for the past 12 years. I’m still not interested. But that’s ok, because like I said, everybody has a different way of coping with what life throws at them.
I prefer running. I never run immediately after a stressful moment has hit its peak. Like right after Matt throws a full glass of juice at the wall, I’m not in the mood to do a 5 miler. I think of the running as maintenance. It gives me energy to face the day. When I go too long without running, I find myself becoming moody. Lately, I’ve been getting bored with the running which could possibly explain my irritable mood these past few days. Time for me to get out the old bike trainer.
Another way I am able to cope with the stress is by doing this blog. If nobody ever read my blogs, I would still write them. It’s good therapy. I know that someday in the future I will take a look at the blogs and say “Wow, I forgot how hard life was then. We made it!”
As I mentioned earlier, people may sometimes have odd coping methods. My odd coping method begins after the kids are in bed. I pop in an “Everybody Loves Raymond” dvd and watch it till I fall asleep. That will take anywhere from 10 min to 2 hours. I have seen each episode countless times. John still can’t figure out what the appeal is. Especially with that show. He hates that show. Not me. I explained to John how our lives are full of surprises, noise, and chaos. I just want to sit down and watch a program where I know exactly what is going to happen. I can always count on Ray being helpless, Robert being jealous, and Debra being irritable. I can always count on the father-in-law being repulsive. Best of all, I can always count of the mother-in-law being intrusive, critical, and loud. I find all of this hysterical. John finds the show stressful and annoying. I would like to note that the characters in this show don’t reflect our family. I happen to have the best in-laws anybody could ever ask for! I just enjoy the predictability that comes with watching those dvd’s. It’s my escape and it makes me laugh.
It Takes a Village 