Too Blessed to Be Stressed

I call it the “Disney Test” and it goes something like this. No matter how much you meditate, breathe, pray and practice emotional mastery the real test of whether you are the master of your emotional domain is how you respond when its 100 degrees in the middle of July and your kids are experiencing a category 5 meltdown in front of Cinderella’s castle. Mickey’s smiling, Goofy’s dancing and your child is standing in the middle of the Magic Kingdom crying like he just saw a ghost in the House of Terror.

I’ve seen Dad’s shake their kids and say, “You’re going to have fun whether you like it or not!!” And, in all honesty, I must admit, I know of all of this from first hand experience.

But now I have a different approach and it works when I remember to use it. It’s called Too Blessed to be Stressed and the reason this simple, powerful saying works so well is because it is physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. It’s the way our brains our wired. When we focus on gratitude and blessings we can’t be focusing on the stresses in our life. Instead of flooding our body and brains with stress hormones that age and drain us, we fuel our mind and body with emotions that make us feel great and help us overcome the daily challenges that so often sabotage our joy, success and happiness.

So when the work is piled high on your desk, think about how thankful you are to even have a job while so many are unemployed. When a tropical storm is dropping ten inches of rain on your neighborhood, which happened to me this week, thank God that your house is still standing. And if your house happens be flooded or knocked down then be thankful you’re still alive. When work is driving you crazy think about the fact that you are healthy enough to work. And when busyness and stress starts to impact your performance and interactions with others at work, simply stop, take a deep breath and say I’m too blessed to be stressed. Some might say it’s corny. But those who try it know it makes them a better leader, sales person, customer service provider, team member and parent.

Just as the sun is always shining behind the clouds, there is always something to be thankful for in the midst of a stressful moment. When you remember you are blessed you won’t be stressed. When you’re feeling down and blue remember the words “Thank You”. This will help you not only find joy and peace in the Magic Kingdom but also experience the magic in every day life.

Share your “Too Blessed to Be Stressed” thoughts here.

Stay Positive!

-Jon | www.JonGordon.com

Read the full newsletter with additional information here.

Download a free “Too Blessed to be Stressed” Poster

Free to Download, Print and Share!