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Stress

With Mayo Clinic oncologist Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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October 4, 2007 3:36 p.m.
Living in the present — Can you help?
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By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

What I am learning from our fellow travelers is the notion of self care and taking time for ourselves.

Let me share with you a recent, powerful experience. A high-octane professional couple had planned to get married in a large Midwestern city. Each has a highly visible career and lots of friends. But as the wedding plans took shape over the last few months, it began to feel to them as if the circus was coming to town, and they were the trained animals. All the details and soaring expenses were mind-numbing and the bride and groom just about melted down.

So what did they do ahead of time? Called off the huge event and decided to tie the knot outside the country.

They went to Vietnam and got married by a Buddhist monk last weekend. Here is what he shared with the wedding party:

"The past is no longer here, the future is not here yet; there is only one moment in which life is available ... and that is the present moment."

My question is, how can we help each other learn from that statement?

Have a safe, serene and prosperous week, my friends. Dr. Ed

25 comments posted
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February 27, 2008 12:24 p.m.
To "stressed out to the point of no return"- I hope you find this message and that it helps even in some small way. Because we live in a culture where everyone is self centered and expect others to "fix" their own problems-its hard to find any compassion when you need it most.I understand that. I too feel "stressed out to the point of no return", but I still try to hang on to life and hope.I know it isn`t easy,but urge you to try to do the same.You matter! Your life matters! "There is a saying,"It`s always darkest before the dawn.Life may feel very bleak at the moment,but hold on to discover a brighter moment that is coming! Don`t cheat yourself out of that blessing!If you give up, the hard times win. They don`t deserve to win- You do!Hope this didn`t sound too preachy. I only meant to encourage you.May all of us "stressed out" people find the relief in life that we need.God bless you .Hang in there. J.L.
- No name given
December 12, 2007 12:23 a.m.
I am looking for a balance between thinking and doing. If times are really hard decisions are easier. Priorites are more obvious. If you have time to think then it becomes more of a challenge to keep those thoughts uplifting you. I tell myself often if I have time to think then life must be good. The natural balance is upset in our world.
- Jamie
November 27, 2007 9:50 p.m.
I highly recommend the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program at Duke University's Center for Integrative Medicine to those who live nearby Durham, NC. It is patterned after the program founded by Jon Kabat Zin at Univ. of Mass. The Center's website is www.dukeintegrativemedicine.org.
- gc
November 14, 2007 1:58 p.m.
I've had it. People say stress kills and I'm not sure if dying is easier than dealing with the stress. This isn't just trivial things, its things that are closest to the heart.
- stressed out to the point of no return
October 30, 2007 6:34 p.m.
One can't live in the present if they are holding onto the past. Sometimes, investing in therapy for a year or two to clean up the crap in your life is a good thing. It also teaches you skills for living in the present.
- Donna
October 18, 2007 8:15 p.m.
October 19, 2007 8:00 PM Stress kills. Learn to live one day at a time. O ctober 19, 2007 8:00PM
- evelyn
October 18, 2007 4:23 p.m.
I have heard the quote of today being the "present" and am grateful for it, but today's society is so geared for the future - good for you for posting these "stress" problems as that is today's illness generator....
- Doreen
October 18, 2007 4:02 p.m.
WELL, THE PRESENT IS A STRESS! PAST AND FUTURE ARE NOT THE PROBLEM. TODAY, COST OF LIVING ON FIXED INCOMES AFTER HEALTH ISSUES ATE UP FINANCIAL SECURITY CAUSE TOO MANY STRESSES. LETTING GO KEEPS SOME SANITY AND STRES RELIEF BUT, NOT ENOUGH WHEN YOU KNOW YOU WAKE UP TOMMORROW WITH ALL THE EXTRA BAGGAGE OF TRYING TO MAKE IT ONE MORE DAY. YES, HUMOR, MEDITATION, EXCERCISE, HOBBIES ETC ARE ALL GOOD FACTORS TO HAVE. RESILENT PEOPLE STILL FIND MONEY ISSUES, HEALTH ISSUES AND OTHER THINGS CAN BE PROCESSED ONE AT A TIME ETC BUT, RESILENT CAN ONLY HELP WHEN THINGS ARE MANAGEABLE OR CONTROLLED BY THE PERSON. THE ONLY CONTROL ONE HAS IS THIER OWN! SO TRY AND TRY AGAIN AND BE AS POSITIVE (EITHER WAY) ONE CAN BE! TAKE CARE OF YOU!
- ANNE
October 17, 2007 10:34 a.m.
It's very hard to live in the present when the past things are not settled. I took 5 days packed a suitcase and went to a hotel on the beach came back and it was like they disappeared, they did not, but I had a new outlook of peace.
- lorrie
October 17, 2007 7:28 a.m.
Speaking of living in the presant. I moved to Kauai a few months ago realizing how important somethings are and somethings are not. 60 mintues did a segment on the hours some people spend working called 24/7. I realized how lucky or shall I say blessed I really am. I have been given a true gift, to live in the presant. ( especially on my days off on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world) ALOHA
- carolyn
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