Stressed out?

Well this is my first attempt at blogging. Wish me luck and please bear with me. This week we did a show with Dr. Don Colbert author of Stress Less. In preparing for the show I started listing how stress has affected me in my life. And it has done a number on me : pre-term labor with both my boys (Preston was 5 months of bed rest Argh!), hair loss, Graves Disease (Thyroid disease), chronic exhausten and probably much more than I ever realized. For many years I chocked it off to "I have a busy life with a lot of responsability with no choice" Some of it I actually "got off" on. I loved hearing the accolades of how amazing I was to accomplish so much. Looking back was it worth it??? I got to say no. I missed time with my boys when they were little - always focused on how much more I could do rather than enjoying them - I have spent years struggling with thyroid disease, while Philip as always been by my side, having a stressed out exhausted wife does create disconnect.

Am I cured??? Absolulutely not. I still fill my plate with things I should do (perfect wife, mother, daughter, business professional etc) But I think I am getting better. Part of my struggle is figuring out what I want and being true to that desire and recoginzing that if I say no, I am still worth loving. A question I ask my self, not often enough, is: "If this does not happen - what is the worst thing that will happen?" If I can remember to ask that question, often the answer is very insightful and a relief. and finally, when I can remember to do it (big ego as an obstical) I will try and remember that God is out there looking after me and He better than I can take care of "it."

Do you struggle??? Do you have tips for reducing stress?? I would love to hear from you.

Cheers Lisa