Too Blessed to Be Stressed
August 25th, 2008 Posted in General, Life, NewsletterI 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
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11 Responses to “Too Blessed to Be Stressed”
By Lee on Aug 25, 2008
Jon, thank you SO much for the “too blessed to be stressed” email today. I too can identify with the “Disney Syndrome”. It’s amazing how unhappy you experience some people even when they are at “the happiest place on Earth!”
ha ha
I’ve often heard the phrase, “too blessed to be stressed”…and I’ve even used it a time or two. However I have never really focused on it and realized that you truly can’t focus on the stress if you’re focusing on being blessed. I didn’t realize that the brain can’t do both at one time. Pretty awesome!
Thanks SO much. Your words have really hit home on this Monday morning to get my week off to an amazing start!
Too blessed….
Lee in Jacksonville, FL
By Warren Bradley on Aug 25, 2008
As many depression sufferers are aware depression comes for varying periods of time. I am currently working only part time because I have now been in a prolonged bout of depression since January. To say that I am miserable is an understatement. I’m 59 and cry….a lot. I can’t quite grasp the whys. I stay away from people because I don’t want to come off as a jerk, moody, nasty individual. Besides, I don’t want to infect anyone else.
But, lately, when I go to bed, and my head hits the pillow, and I start to cry again (for seemingly no good reason), I consciously try to think and realize I am in a comfortable bed with clean sheets and in air conditioning to ward off the summer heat. I think of our guys and girls in hot, dirty, dusty, miserable Iraq and how uncomfortable they must be in trying to get enough fitful sleep. I feel badly for them while also thinking, ‘Count your blessings’. I am then able to fall asleep.
It truly is impossible to be stressed while feeling blessed.
By Heather on Aug 25, 2008
This is my favorite weekly power up so far! It is so very true and I appreciate the uplifting message. Have the Attitude of Gratitude….is does work….just try it! Have a thankful week!
By Susan Mikolic on Aug 25, 2008
Here is an email I sent to some friends the day after I had an auto accident. They responded back that I responded “differently” than most would have.
Here is my email: “Yes, I was in an auto accident on Thursday. It was rush hour and actually was very heavy traffic and all travelers were blessed that we didn’t end up with a 5 car pile up and ensuing traffic jam. The girl just popped up out of nowhere and was about a foot behind me going 60+mph. About 15 seconds after I noticed her in my rearview mirror she hit me. Neither of us lost control of our vehicles and she did the right thing by pulling over with me and notifying police. I ended up going by squad to the hospital as my neck began to tighten up and protocol was squad/neck brace/backboard, etc. It was the prudent thing to do.
But the story gets better…since I look for the blessings in all and work to watch my life as an observer..not getting emotionally attached to events and outcomes…there were a # of interesting events that created the reason I was at that place at that time. In fact, 12 hours earlier someone changed an appt time or I wouldn’t have been at that place at that time…it was very clear I was meant to be there and in that accident.
I continued to have some medical issues I will explore and continue to ask questions of my angels and guides to clarify some things about all this. I have no doubt more messages will be forthcoming.
As you can see..many blessings in the accident and I trust others will unveil in the forthcoming weeks. I watch as the fascinating events unfold!”
By Andrew G.R. on Aug 25, 2008
I love the “too blessed to be stressed” concept. Balance lies in your breathing. That’s why it’s important to practice taking good, solid, deep breaths - even when things are going AOK. Breathing might not be as automated as you think. Next time you’re stressed at your desk, I’ll bet ya a buck you stopped breathing…
By Pam Gerrish on Aug 25, 2008
What a wonderful message to have this morning. So glad I read your message before leaving this morning.
At 10 a.m. my fiance’, Mark called me and told me the location we are having our wedding, in 5 weeks, said we could not hold the wedding at the facility due to water damage from FAY.
We have been thru a lot the last 12 months, dealing with breast cancer and this wedding is to be a celebration of life and love. So when Mark told me the news I laughed and said we will find somewhere to get married.
By the end of the day, the facility agreed to let us use part of the building for the wedding. We will improvise for the rest!!
God is good and always finds an answer:-)
Pam
By Helen on Aug 26, 2008
I remember walking into work and crying because I did not want to be there. All of a sudden I would ask myself to name 5 things I was grateful for and after listing the 5 things I had a smile on my face and stopped crying.
If you get a chance check my blog http://www.theloveyourselfcoach.blogspot.com, I wrote about being grateful and changing your outlook on life.
Helen
By kathy on Aug 26, 2008
Speaking of Disney… there is an old Disney favorite of mine called Pollyanna, starring Haley Mills and includes a wonderful cast: Richard Egan, Jane Wyman, Karl Malden, Agnes Moorehead, James Drury, Kevin Corcoran and many many more…
The plot? A young girl comes to an embittered town and confronts it’s attitude with her determination to see the best in life. She teaches them to play “The Glad Game”
It’s really pretty simple, folks. It’s a great old movie and a great way to look at life. We need to go back to the basics like Disney and The Glad Game.
The idea of being grateful is nothing new… but, it is something to be nourished. Rent it or buy it, but watch it!! And make sure you watch it with your kids!
Blessings~
By Crissie on Aug 28, 2008
I learned a long time ago that you can’t control all the things that happen to you. You can only control how you respond to them.
That feeling of empowerment makes it easier to handle the stress. If we always have a choice on how we respond then we truly are blessed.
Of course, nothing takes stress away like a bag of M&Ms! Ah, what a blessing!
By Jon Gordon on Sep 5, 2008
Warren,
It is true that when you are feeling blessed you won’t be stressed. I’ll be praying for you.
Jon
By Jen on Sep 6, 2008
So, true…. all of it!
Add this to the mix:
Try music (to get you feeling/thinking about the ‘blessed’ part). I do this with my kids when we are all wound up and feeling stressed (rushing to school or whatever activity). When you put on a good song it is also impossible to feel upset or stressed. Also, it is always better to sing at the top of your lungs than yell!