An "Aha" Moment...

The work week is almost coming to a close and then it's a 3 day weekend!  I'm so ready to have a long weekend with no plans so that I can recharge my batteries; if you know what I mean.  I thought I'd share some things that I found myself pondering last night when I couldn't fall asleep. 

Don't you hate those nights when you are tired, but then once you get in bed you toss and turn and can't fall asleep?  I often joke that I wish my brain had a "power off" switch.  That way, when it's time for bed, my brain would shut off too and thoughts wouldn't keep me wide awake.

I found yesterday to be a stressful, frustrating day.  When I was laying in bed last night, I realized that all the 'stressors' and 'frustrations' were all things out of my control.  Hence, I was letting things I couldn't control, control me.  Pretty crazy, right?  I found that happens quite a bit.  I worry and fret over the things I have no control over.

Many years ago, not feeling in control led me to control the only thing I knew how to control and that was food.  I could control how many calories I consumed and how many calories I burned.  You know what blows my mind?  Now, those thoughts don't even enter my mind at all!  When I'm stressed over something, the thought of not eating never even presents itself.

When I get stressed and frustrated these days, I try and channel those feelings by doing one of the following:
1)  Vent or talk about it  (my husband gets an ear full sometimes!)
2)  Go for a walk
3)  Engage in something I enjoy ( jewelry making, cooking, playing a game, reading, etc)
4)  Write
5)  Take photographs

I've really found, even in times like last night, that just voicing it out loud makes a huge world of difference.  Then I'm able to realize that a) whatever is bothering me is in my power to change and here's how I can go about changing it or b) this is out of my control, let it go and focus on what I can control about the situation.

I think I had an "aha moment" last night though when I was able to identify that everything I was stressing over was out of my control.  Therefore, it made no sense to let these things control me!

If I could only get back all the time I've worried and stressed over things out of my control!  I'm ashamed to admit it, but it would probably be years worth of time.

I feel like I've rambled enough for tonight.  I'm off to try and finish the second Hunger Games book and call it a night.  I still plan to do a Healthy Living Summit recap, once I am able to see if I can restore my broken memory card and share with you pictures of my weekend in Cambridge!  Have a blessed night!  I'll leave you with this North Carolina mountain sunset and a quote by Corrie Ten Boom.  Enjoy!

 

"Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles.  It empties today of its strengths."