WHICH WAY IS UP?

"Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths." ~ Psalm 25:4

Remember Richard Pryor in the movie, Which Way Is Up?

On his "way up," Pryor's lifestyle clearly revealed how conniving, cheating, and disregard for others, created confusion and stress. ... Not only for himself--but for all involved.

Seeking our way up can be exhausting and stressful . . . especially if we're not seeking the right way. When we seek in wrong places or with wrong people or wrong principles, we open ourselves to numerous stresses.

At one time or another, stress-survivors have questioned "Which way is up?" Regardless of which side of the fence we've roamed--victim or villain--we've witnessed the outcome of erroneous actions.

Countless experiences have convinced us that the way up does not call for taintedness, but instead requires honesty, decency, and respect.

As evident with actor Pryor, unscrupulous behavior may boost egos and may even satisfy for a spell, but it ultimately fails to render a successful way up.

In our quest to be better individuals and to acquire better health, wealth and happiness--believing that God's way is the number one "way up"--stress-survivors seek directions from Him.

Peace I leave with you . . .

BOUNCING BACK

"Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;"

2 Corinthians 4:9

Ever noticed how perils and persecution complicate things?

Amazing, huh?

The interruption of things we've known and grown accustomed to doing--or having--or being--can obviously create stress.

Sure, stress-survivors have to contend with this, too. But we're determined to not be disillusioned or destroyed by the likes of stress. We are resolved to "bouncing back" . . . again and again.

Although the concept of Bouncing Back is not a new one, it's nonetheless challenging. . .and, in many instances, quite stressful. Truth is, it requires a great deal of faith, as well as fearlessness.

As most survivors have discovered, We never know what we can do, until we try.

When cast down and bounced all around, we don't have to quiver and quit. Stress-survivors choose to persevere by embracing our God-given ability for BOUNCING BACK.


Peace I leave with you . . .

REMAIN SILENT

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
. . . a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;"
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7b

You have the right to remain silent; anything you say can be used against you . . .

So says the law.

Just as these words are serious warnings to criminals concerning unlawful behavior, they equally apply to stress and stressful behavior.

Whether currently in a stressful situation or not, surely we've all witnessed how battling back and forth--in whatever form or fashion--can lead to mega stresses.

Though it's not always easy, stress survivors see the difference that remaining silent can make. When we anticipate chaos and confusion with family, friends, or foes, it is our inalienable right to remain silent.

Often, peace prevails in the midst of silence. As stress-survivors, we understand why more and more of us seek our own peaceful sanctuay. And because we're so diligent in pursuing peace, we'd do well to exercise our rights.

Not only do we have the right to remain silent, but even more impressive we have the right to avoid stress by whatever means necessary.

Peace I leave with you . . .

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

A Single Red Rose

Adorned with black and gray,

Dedicated to all Fathers

Wishing them HAPPY FATHER'S DAY.

HAPPY EASTER!

FALLING

"In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." ~ John16:33 ~

Oh my . . . Oh no . . . They fell!

Long time ago, Jack and Jill had a great fall. And the story of those two stopped there.

Last week, Dancing With The Stars contestants, Kirstie Alley and her partner Maksim, had just begun their dance routine when they fell to the floor.

But they didn't stop there. The couple quickly regained their poise and displayed an unforgettable example of falling and gracefully getting back up.

If anyone can identity with the stress of falling, stress-survivors can.

Oh, yes, we do fall. Sometimes hard. Most times unexpectedly. And each unfortunate incident brings about mega-anxiety and stress.

Falling, time after time, has taught stress-survivors to focus not so much on the fall, but much more so on what we to do after the fall.

When stress-survivors fall down, we get up . . . and look up . . . and pray up.

Make no mistake, overcoming can be challenging; but with God's grace, we can overcome every obstacle and every fall; then move on and live life to the fullest.

Peace I leave with you . . .

HAPPY ENDINGS

According to the advice of our elders, "All is well that ends well."

Many experts insist "There's a rainbow at the end of the storm."

In other words, we can count on happy endings. Except . . . ...

"ALL" doesn't always end well; and rainbows sometimes never appear.

No doubt, each not-ending-well experience involves frustration and stress. ...

Many stress-survivors have resolved to personal pursuits for happy endings.We seek to create rainbows of our own and to color our lives bright and beautiful by doing something we love.

For all the stressful things that life demand we do--whether we want to or not--to have a special something that we love is a welcomed relief for stress.

A friend of a friend once shared that he spent every day, doing something he loved. He swore that that was the key to his peace and happiness. ... .

Think about it. Are we doing something we love EVERY DAY to enhance our Happiness? .... .... .


Peace I leave with you . . .