by Carie Moore
We are going into winter (seasonal affective disorder), a lot of agriculture turmoil (anxiety, depression), the holidays (financial and family expectations) and it has brought a lot of us down.
I have learned to handle stress with silliness. When we’re stressed, we snap at our kids, our spouse, customers, friends, and finally, we snap mentally. It’s not good for anyone. I have to admit, I’ve made some life changes and thus still have stress, but I love it. Bad becomes worse when we “freak out.” Everyone around us is affected and as a result, our environment is stressed. It’s much easier to be silly.
Mom’s mood always sets the tone, so set a good one. I guarantee with the good Lord’s help, you will be more productive and much happier.
Case in point, I had a short layover that turned into a late plane coming in, which made us late to board, then de-icing. I was upset because I could have had the food I wanted at the airport, but didn’t because I was expecting a short layover. I ended up getting a lot of work done on my laptop and I had time to video chat with my kids. Most of the time I get frustrated when they mess with filters and don't talk to me, but on this day, it didn’t matter. We were all fine and spending time together laughing and doing it together. I could have been angry and upset and made 5 other people the same way, but instead we were all laughing and I was making others laugh in the airport waiting as well, with our silly nonsense. Just another way that we can change the world. It’s okay to laugh!
I also hadn’t had a good coffee in two days and was not happy about it. I laughed when I found out that there was actually a place across the parking lot from the hotel I was at. As we walked over and I got my coffee, I told the baristas I literally loved them. It made them smile, as well as the people I was with who were a little stressed about another issue. I kissed my coffee, I was so happy! They thought, "Who is this girl from North Dakota and is this her normal?" It may not have been once, but it is now. Things are still going to go wrong, deadlines will still crowd in, and people will still upset us, but it’s best to just take it with a grain of salt. I take that salt and sprinkle it on my caramel latte; for when I’m feeling salty, but need to be sweet!
