Taking Time For Me: Dealing With Stress

It has been a good week for me because I am learning to listen to my body. The tremendous stress that I've been under has taken a physical toll. I have had to take a step back and analyze what I've been doing to stress myself out. These physical manifestations have given me a "wake up" call to start to take care of myself.

I still long for some time away. So I am planning on it. I have obligations, yet I'm realizing that I do need to carve out some time for me. It isn't selfish. I don't have to feel guilty for taking that time off. I know I need it. I do have to trust God that I can arrange it and reach out to others to help. I have had a good support system with my family as I dealt with my father's loss. I know that they will help me when I start to arrange that time away. It is good to look forward to something.

Everyone who has followed this blog religiously knows that I'm pretty much still in financial straits. I haven't been able to find sustainable work for a long time. It hasn't been for lack of trying, rather it has been that I've been needed to care for both parents. I really didn't realize this until fairly recently. I was putting undue pressure and guilt on myself for not being able to bring money in. It has been a slow process to forgive myself and others for the stress that unemployment/underemployment brings. I sometimes felt like less of a person because of my inability to get gainful employment.

I know that I can't continue to blame myself or the current economy for my financial status. I have to learn to accept what I can't change and pray for guidance and strength. I do have to say that I would have never met the amazing people I've met if I hadn't been placed in the situation I'm currently in. They have taught me so much about life and history. I sometimes wish that I had enough financial resources to bolster up the many wonderful historical sites and programs that are available. It does pain me when I heard about the financial woes many historical sites are going through now.

I do praise God for the many opportunities I see on the horizon. I'm not giving up or giving in to those people who continuously throw doubt and fear into the mix. I know those forces of evil would love to shut down these historical projects and tear down the controversial history. I know that money is the root of all evil. I thank God for the resources given to us freely. It is hard to give it all to God, but that is what we must do.