Stress does not reside in the events and behaviors of others, but it does in how we see those events and behaviors. Our interpretations. There is nothing much we can do about the events and behaviors of others, but we can certainly do something about how we interpret them.
Which are those events or people's behaviors that you interpret as threat? Your spouse? Your boss? You co-workers? Some of those events at work and home? It's a good idea to make a list of them.
If we interpret them as threats, the stress-response circuit kicks in, and we resort to behaviors of flight, freeze or fight. Over a period of time, they become the norms of our behaviors. Hence a progressive stress in life.
When we interpret them as opportunities – for growth, for learning, for connections, for understanding, for building, for fun, for creativity, for adventure, for mercy, for forgiveness… (and the list can go on…), we become truly creative, reflective, adaptive and amazing solution finders.
It’s our choice.
Be aware of your interpretations, question them, experiment with them, neutralize them, befriend them, kill them, and do whatever it takes to keep your perceived threats below and away from your brim.
Stress should go up in life – is it by design or by choice? That's a no brainer! :)
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