The seduction of stress

I am trying to understand what is so seductive about stress that it is such a habit in our lives.

It is as if we drive a car that has a DS (drive with stress) option and it seems that we just love to put the car in the DS gear thinking we will have a more productive drive and also arrive at our destination faster.

Maybe this tendency is ingrained so deeply in us, we are not even aware of it: it has become such a part of our energy fabric that we believe it is indeed ours. It has grown on us, generation after generation.

It also has a component of control: when we are stressed, we feel, at least partially, in control but on the other hand, we know , deeply within, we are out of control. It is more like a cover to give us the illusion of control. All the while this is going on, our intention is to get the job done, to finish that project, to meet the deadline. The intention is good but even good intentions don't always lead to a desirable place.

So what are we, humans in training, supposed to do? I use the expression 'humans in training' because, as a whole we are still trying to figure out how this thing called 'life' really works. If we had it all figured out why would there be an overabundance of self-help books and seminars...etc, all with the one and only purpose to teach us what we have not yet mastered?

When we are young, we figure at 21 we will know it all. Let me retrace my steps here, by 13 , we are sure that we know it all. But as we get older, we realize that we just thought we did. Maybe it is the universe's trick to boost our confidence. It takes confidence to navigate through the tumultuous waters of life. First we think we know it then we realize we have barely cracked open the door of understanding. Then our whole life, we are embarked on a journey of discovery, like a cruise around the world that is full of "ah ha" moments and self-realizations.

How did the people of old cope?

There is a verse in Exodus that says: "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)"  That tells us that there may have been trepidation in their hearts. Facing the unknown is a challenge and may put those who had to leave home go forward on that journey under a lot of stress.

What that tells me is that, even though we have evolved technologically, deep down we are still very much the same as those Israelites who were nervous about their long journey to Canaan.

That also means that the advice given to them, over 3000 years ago, is still very valid for us today.

Would becoming aware of the dimension of the soul and our connection to the Eternal be a way to get out of the grip of stress?

This awareness shifts our perspective. That is sometimes all it takes to put us emotionally in a better place. Connect with the Soul, plug in, ask for guidance. It is a free long distance connection and it is never out of network!

When we feel grounded in that connection, then new ideas come, a new energy replaces the frazzled one.

So this may be one answer here: have another gear installed on our life vehicle, the HP gear (higher perspective) and let this one become our favorite.

Enjoy the ride!

©Doris Crompton