Dealing With Professional Pressure
Wendy Kelley
Chief Operating Officer at Elite Sports Medicine & Orthopedics · Wine Geek · TN Realtor
I don't know what's happening at your house, but at mine we're hiking through the "messy middle." Two weeks left of school (which no one wants to fool with ??) and the ever-shifting pressures the adult Kelleys have with work, we're just getting through it like everyone else. So I'm dedicating this week's message to you to the things that help us get through the exhausting, messy, uncertain periods of life.
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When my coach asked me how I am handling the chaos, I instinctively knew it's my friendships that are doing the heavy lifting. Experts in this sort of thing say that if you're trying to quit smoking or get out of debt or find your feet at a new job, you'll get through better if you can "Walk, Talk, and Pray."?
We Need to WALK:?
Walking being actual physically rewarding movement, makes me acknowledge my daily workout routine is helping me. But even more than that, things like the women's weekly walk that lets us also TALK and connect are also major ways to help me process the stress of being a parent of (THREE!) teenagers, as well as a real estate agent with my own business.?
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We Need to TALK:
The friends who let us unload about what's going on, actively listening to us help us process and release the uncertainty and stress of our ongoing experiences. Like some incredible friends of mine who always seem happy to hear about my everyday dramas, and in listening help me get the distance I need from it. Knowing this is key for helping me get through the crazy, I am reminded not to cancel these "social moments" when "life gets too busy." If you're doing this to yourself to double down on work, stop it! ?? Talking things out helps the stress not stick to us so hard.
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We Need some AWESOMENESS:
Though I have a traditional prayer practice, I know that what the researchers are talking about with "Walk, Talk, and Pray" is about more than just one kind of spiritual practice. When we are dealing with chaos, uncertainty, grief, or discouragement, what we need to hold on and recover is experiences of AWE, and TRANCENDENCE. Nature is a big source of this for me, because experiencing beauty is a transcendent experience.?
But a big word like transcendence makes it sound like something we only get when doing things like my hike into the Grand Canyon.
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I get to travel pretty consistently, but transcendent experiences like this one are too big to fit into day to day life.
Or are they?
My friends know I'm a huge scrap booker. Part of the reason I love to enjoy a glass of wine with girlfriends and build these memory caches with glue and colored paper is because it allows me to re-enjoy big moments of connection, joy, and awe.
But there are even digital ways to bring more awe into your life. Like playing an inspiring video on YouTube that lets me have my first cup of coffee with a mountain sunrise, or listening to calypso music while watching a high definition video of beach waves. Or visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium's live cams to see whether the seals or otters or other animals are doing something interesting that day.
Enjoy those virtual awe-vacations. (I've started a full Playlist of Virtual Vacations to return to later.) It's good to do something small enough that you can get more of it every day. And when you can, consider planning a visit to some in-person beauty and delight. I got a list started for ideas near me...maybe you can borrow some of mine or make your own!
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Places to Go to Spark AWE:
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I think we can all use the reminder to be more intentional about bringing awe into our everyday. So whether you snag a scrapbook off the shelf like me, or make a date to visit some AWE-some place near you, make some room to walk talk and pray. We'll all get through the messy together.