I stumbled on a stress score sheet husband and I used in the ‘80’s while counseling young people. The score sheet is messed up, yellowed with age, but relevant. I didn’t search for updated materials. This worked. It proved I’d better adjust what I can change, let go of what I can’t change, and ask God for help with the rest.
According to two men at the University of Washington, Thomas H. Holmes and Richard H. Rahe, if your stress points tally 300 or more you have the great possibility of a major illness occurring within the next two years. I’m already in the thick of a major illness and my stress points tally 592. I never thought I’d appreciate that old boxed life, filled with nothing but routine.
Knowledge is power, now that I know what I’m facing what will I do?
1. Journal daily—not the caringbridge writing, not blogging, but the journal where only the Lord can see, where I can release my anxiety.
2. I will endeavor to write on caringbridge.org/visit/kat2009 daily. I enjoy sharing with others.
3. I will give up my kitchen and quit stressing
4. I will begin to work from lists again—I learned to leave husband a list he could complete when and how he wanted. I can do the same for Savannah. She’s great help and doesn’t need a micro manager.
5. I will have devotions with Mom and Savannah. What a golden opportunity.
Nuff for today.
If anyone wants a copy of the stress sheet, email me:
lionheartedkat@cox.net