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Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:31 PM

CaliforniaPeggy (103,905 posts)

Everyone is feeling the stress of these last few days...I am, too.

Here's what I do to help myself calm down. I remind myself that there are basically two kinds of things in our world: things we control; and things we have no control over.

Worrying about the things we have no control over is useless spinning of our wheels. It only makes us crazier than we were...

And the things we have control over? Get out there and work on those.

Lose the rest.

My two cents........

Peace out.

38 replies, 2201 views

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38 replies	Author	Time	Post
Everyone is feeling the stress of these last few days...I am, too. (Original post)	CaliforniaPeggy	Oct 2012	OP
I am actually more exhilarated than stressed...this is what it's all about!	NRaleighLiberal	Oct 2012	#1
You are one of the lucky ones, my dear NRaleighLiberal!	CaliforniaPeggy	Oct 2012	#4
Good advice.	gademocrat7	Oct 2012	#2
Good advice, Peggy. Where were you when I was chewing my fingers to nubs? :^(	GreenPartyVoter	Oct 2012	#3
My dear GreenPartyVoter!	CaliforniaPeggy	Oct 2012	#10
I suspected I was the inspiration. :^D I am off to make choc. chip cookies.	GreenPartyVoter	Oct 2012	#11
Indeed	ibegurpard	Oct 2012	#5
I saw this at just the right moment.	PETRUS	Oct 2012	#6
Thank you,Peggy!	Dalai_1	Oct 2012	#7
Thanks Peggy. Much needed.	freshwest	Oct 2012	#8
I am chilled	ProgressiveProfessor	Oct 2012	#9
I had a nightmare last night.	Gregorian	Oct 2012	#12
Dreams are strange beasts...	CaliforniaPeggy	Oct 2012	#14
I wish I could do that!	Mz Pip	Oct 2012	#13
It IS hard to let go, I know.	CaliforniaPeggy	Oct 2012	#15
thanks for this gem Midsomer Murders you should check the new sherlock n\t	-LOKI -BAD FOR YA	Oct 2012	#37
Loved it	Mz Pip	Oct 2012	#38
I just yelled at my son over the phone about voting.	lalalu	Oct 2012	#16
Could be worse	marlakay	Oct 2012	#18
I hope she changes her mind.	lalalu	Oct 2012	#22
Won't happen	marlakay	Oct 2012	#23
Sorry to hear.	lalalu	Oct 2012	#24
I'm not that worried about this election, frankly.	alarimer	Oct 2012	#17
I believe that!	CaliforniaPeggy	Oct 2012	#19
It's not really stress that bothers me, it's the overwhelming sense of helplessness.	Major Hogwash	Oct 2012	#20
Totally agree. If the worst case scenario plays out we can Bush for teaching us how to get through	Booster	Oct 2012	#21
My dear Miss Peggy!	DonRedwood	Oct 2012	#25
My dear DonRedwood!	CaliforniaPeggy	Oct 2012	#26
Dr. Redwood says pet two cats and call me in the morning.	DonRedwood	Oct 2012	#30
We are going to win the Presidential race, Warren will win, Kaine will win	underpants	Oct 2012	#27
Stress... What Stress ???	WillyT	Oct 2012	#28
Excellent advice	Cali_Democrat	Oct 2012	#29
My calming mechanism? Go to 538.	SunSeeker	Oct 2012	#31
Still time	daybranch	Oct 2012	#32
Good advice all around...	WCGreen	Oct 2012	#33
Thanks, Chris....	CaliforniaPeggy	Oct 2012	#36
i'm feeling more disappointment than stress	shireen	Oct 2012	#34
People are driving more agressively here	upi402	Oct 2012	#35

Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:34 PM

NRaleighLiberal (28,568 posts)

1. I am actually more exhilarated than stressed...this is what it's all about!

Great words of wisdom you shared!

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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Reply #1)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:36 PM

CaliforniaPeggy (103,905 posts)

4. You are one of the lucky ones, my dear NRaleighLiberal!

You've already learned what to do!

Thank you, sweetie!

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:35 PM

gademocrat7 (1,994 posts)

2. Good advice.

Thank you, Peggy.

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:35 PM

GreenPartyVoter (64,713 posts)

3. Good advice, Peggy. Where were you when I was chewing my fingers to nubs? :^(

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Response to GreenPartyVoter (Reply #3)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:38 PM

CaliforniaPeggy (103,905 posts)

10. My dear GreenPartyVoter!

It was your post that triggered me...

I hate to see my friends suffering. And then I remembered the ideas I posted. These are from the Greek Epictetus. He was a Stoic.

I hope my post will help you now, and every time you are stressed......

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Reply #10)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:41 PM

GreenPartyVoter (64,713 posts)

11. I suspected I was the inspiration. :^D I am off to make choc. chip cookies.

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:36 PM

ibegurpard (11,038 posts)

5. Indeed

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

whether you believe in God or not, it's good advice.

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:37 PM

PETRUS (2,500 posts)

6. I saw this at just the right moment.

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:37 PM

Dalai_1 (911 posts)

7. Thank you,Peggy!

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:37 PM

freshwest (31,239 posts)

8. Thanks Peggy. Much needed.

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:37 PM

ProgressiveProfessor (22,144 posts)

9. I am chilled

CA is in the bag for the President and I voted as soon as I got my ballot in the mail.

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:42 PM

Gregorian (19,599 posts)

12. I had a nightmare last night.

But it's funny now that I think of it.

I was driving up to the Safeway the morning after the election results, not knowing what the outcome was. Suddenly when I looked up, there was a banner which read "Obama Loses". It felt like someone had died. The way you feel when you first see something and hope it's an error. But what made it worse was as I was going around the stores, it appeared that no one even cared. I was the only one who was devastated. I looked at one checkout clerk and said, "So they stole another one". Then I woke up.

The odd part is, I'm so confident.

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Response to Gregorian (Reply #12)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:47 PM

CaliforniaPeggy (103,905 posts)

14. Dreams are strange beasts...

I would classify yours as an anxiety dream. I'm sure you're confident, but maybe in the darkest recesses of your mind, you're worried. It's an irrational worry, and this is how your mind expresses it.

Don't let it bother you!

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:46 PM

Mz Pip (23,797 posts)

13. I wish I could do that!

I don't get freaked over things I can control but I sure do over things I can't.

I'm pretty stressed now but I have an art exhibit coming up that keeps me busy and I am reading junk fiction that keeps me entertained. I also am watching a charming British mystery series called Midsomer Murders - pretty scenery, interesting characters, good dialogue. Just trying to keep busy until it's over.

I know I have no control over this but it's impossible to just let it go.

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Response to Mz Pip (Reply #13)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:49 PM

CaliforniaPeggy (103,905 posts)

15. It IS hard to let go, I know.

It takes practice. You have to keep reminding yourself...

It does get easier. I know, because I've done this myself.

Hang in there, and good luck with your art exhibit!

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Response to Mz Pip (Reply #13)

Sat Oct 27, 2012, 01:52 PM

-LOKI -BAD FOR YA (305 posts)

37. thanks for this gem Midsomer Murders you should check the new sherlock n\t

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Response to -LOKI -BAD FOR YA (Reply #37)

Sat Oct 27, 2012, 05:01 PM

Mz Pip (23,797 posts)

38. Loved it

Hope there is another season so we can learn how he faked his death!

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:51 PM

lalalu (1,663 posts)

16. I just yelled at my son over the phone about voting.

We both laughed but he admitted I was right. He is going to complete his voting this weekend. I realize his research is intense and he just got around to watching the second debate.

I just reminded him that President Obama is the one who supports his type of research. Romney would have him put in the dungeon for heresy.

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Response to lalalu (Reply #16)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:54 PM

marlakay (4,211 posts)

18. Could be worse

I got into arguement with my daughter yesterday because she is voting for Mitt.

So I have one kid for Obama and one not...my mom and most of rest of family are all dems.

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Response to marlakay (Reply #18)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 08:35 PM

lalalu (1,663 posts)

22. I hope she changes her mind.

You still have time. Good luck.

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Response to lalalu (Reply #22)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 09:05 PM

marlakay (4,211 posts)

23. Won't happen

Her husband is military and slowly been influenced for years...it was the 3 yrs at pentagon that did it. Stayed dem before even while in different bases.

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Response to marlakay (Reply #23)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 09:15 PM

lalalu (1,663 posts)

24. Sorry to hear.

Kids will give you grey hair and yet you can't help loving them.

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:52 PM

alarimer (11,678 posts)

17. I'm not that worried about this election, frankly.

I don't think Romney can really win; I doubt it will be all that close.

Sure, he'll get the racist white guy vote, but everybody else will vote for Obama.

I am, right now, more worried about the storm. It will be close to here, but I think it will just graze us.

Thoughts of impending doom by hurricane have moved the rest of my worries away for now.

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Response to alarimer (Reply #17)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:57 PM

CaliforniaPeggy (103,905 posts)

19. I believe that!

Prepare as you can for the storm and then hunker down...When you know you've done all you can, it's easier to relax and see what's happening.

I hope you will be safe.

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 08:26 PM

Major Hogwash (12,365 posts)

20. It's not really stress that bothers me, it's the overwhelming sense of helplessness.

Last edited Fri Oct 26, 2012, 09:43 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

So, after years of dealing in super stressed out situations, I have gained much insight and experience on how to deal with it.

I start talking an awful lot to my 2 best friends:
Jack Daniels and Marry Wanna.
What one can't cure, the other one can.
And if not, by late at night, I no longer care.

There are always ways to deal with life's little ups and downs, like getting off of the roller coaster, stepping out of the elevator, or stop riding the escalator.
But, other than, it's just the way it is.
Life is funny like that.
It's a bitch, and then you die.

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 08:28 PM

Booster (9,872 posts)

21. Totally agree. If the worst case scenario plays out we can Bush for teaching us how to get through

the worst presidency ever.

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 09:20 PM

DonRedwood (3,400 posts)

25. My dear Miss Peggy!

You left out the part of grabbing up your cat or dog or loved one and petting them. Petting a pet drops your blood pressure. I alternate between getting mad about politics and schnuzzling up to a pup! (or one of the cats...they'll always take more pets).

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Response to DonRedwood (Reply #25)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 09:22 PM

CaliforniaPeggy (103,905 posts)

26. My dear DonRedwood!

I did forget them!

There are many ways to decompress...

Pets are an excellent way!

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Reply #26)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 10:01 PM

DonRedwood (3,400 posts)

30. Dr. Redwood says pet two cats and call me in the morning.

mew!

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 09:53 PM

underpants (105,597 posts)

27. We are going to win the Presidential race, Warren will win, Kaine will win

Kaine will win

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 09:59 PM

WillyT (45,463 posts)

28. Stress... What Stress ???

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 09:59 PM

Cali_Democrat (14,654 posts)

29. Excellent advice

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 10:02 PM

SunSeeker (4,981 posts)

31. My calming mechanism? Go to 538.

http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 10:06 PM

daybranch (390 posts)

32. Still time

Last edited Fri Oct 26, 2012, 10:08 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

We have some Californians canvassing with us here in Ohio. Can you come? We are not Motel 6 but I am sure we wil have the light on for you? Heck if you are from Indiana,West Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Kentucky, you should be here already. If not remember, it is not too far and not too snakey. We will make you welcome.

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 10:22 PM

WCGreen (44,911 posts)

33. Good advice all around...

In AA, it was drummed into our head via the serenity prayer....

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

This is great advise for anyone, but especially for those who are addicted to things that take you away from reality. It really just means that those of us who dwell to much on the things that we can not change and can not let them go that causes people to obsess and there for get lost.

Great post Peg...

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Response to WCGreen (Reply #33)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 10:53 PM

CaliforniaPeggy (103,905 posts)

36. Thanks, Chris....

The Serenity Prayer is really a good one...

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 10:39 PM

shireen (7,461 posts)

34. i'm feeling more disappointment than stress

Profound disappointment that such a large percentage of people are falling for an obvious con man.

I understand why many rich people would support Romney, he represents their best interests. I accept there's a percentage of single-issue voters like those who will only vote for anti-choice or low taxes candidates. But any thoughtful voter who takes all issues into account, and still decide that Romney is the best candidate. What are they thinking? It's very disturbing.

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Response to CaliforniaPeggy (Original post)

Fri Oct 26, 2012, 10:42 PM

upi402 (16,588 posts)

35. People are driving more agressively here

I agree with the idea in the OP and try my best to live it on a daily basis.

fwiw

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