Stress is a powerful thing with good and bad results. I have had many experiences with stress and many a times, it cannot be controlled. As much as I would love to live a stress free life, it is nearly impossible. It comes when you least expect it, it affects everyone (not just the person experiencing it firsthand), and is can be life changing.
I tend to be too hard on myself and I often cause my own stress. I try to avoid it, but I can honestly say that if was not that way, I would not be the person I am today. I know how to handle many situations because I have lived through just about everything; lack of self confidence, school, moving, being apart from loved ones, death of a loved one, and those are just a few. I think the most important thing about a stressful situation is what we learn/gain from the experience. We could sit by idly and let it pass or we could learn and grow from it. I usually get that numbing feeling when I am stressed and I don't know what to do, but eventually I have to pick my feet up and do something because it is better than doing nothing. We are given these hard times for a reason. Our Heavenly Father does not just give us these trials to watch us suffer. He does not give us something that we cannot handle and he wants to see us progress and move past our trials so that we know how to face them or help others down the road.
Many families experience stressful situations and must learn how to cope with these struggles. That is what we talked about in class this week and Brother Williams gave some wonderful insights. I love how careful he is with each topic we discuss in class. He knows how to approach controversy and deal with differences in opinion. Each family has a different background, every one thinks differently, and I think it is necessary to understand that. We cannot generalize everything or assume that everyone is the same.
I just want to summarize a few things I learned from class about stress, coping, and crisis.
I tend to be too hard on myself and I often cause my own stress. I try to avoid it, but I can honestly say that if was not that way, I would not be the person I am today. I know how to handle many situations because I have lived through just about everything; lack of self confidence, school, moving, being apart from loved ones, death of a loved one, and those are just a few. I think the most important thing about a stressful situation is what we learn/gain from the experience. We could sit by idly and let it pass or we could learn and grow from it. I usually get that numbing feeling when I am stressed and I don't know what to do, but eventually I have to pick my feet up and do something because it is better than doing nothing. We are given these hard times for a reason. Our Heavenly Father does not just give us these trials to watch us suffer. He does not give us something that we cannot handle and he wants to see us progress and move past our trials so that we know how to face them or help others down the road.
Many families experience stressful situations and must learn how to cope with these struggles. That is what we talked about in class this week and Brother Williams gave some wonderful insights. I love how careful he is with each topic we discuss in class. He knows how to approach controversy and deal with differences in opinion. Each family has a different background, every one thinks differently, and I think it is necessary to understand that. We cannot generalize everything or assume that everyone is the same.
I just want to summarize a few things I learned from class about stress, coping, and crisis.
This is the Chinese symbol for crisis. The first symbol represents danger and the second represents opportunity. In relation to our discussions, we believe that stress and crisis pose a threat and danger to individuals and families. We also believe that crisis provides a time of opportunity to learn, grow, and strengthen one another.
We know that everyone copes and deals with a stress or crisis in their own way. Even minute and well thought out changes can make a difference. We can involve the Lord, share experiences, and watch our attitudes. Paying attention to each others behaviors can prepare us for times when we need to intervene.
We also talked about the ABCX model. "A" represents the actual event that took place. "B" symbolizes behavioral responses and resources available and how they used those things to their advantage to help with the crisis. "C" represents cognitions (how the family defines the crisis). "X" is the total experience and the result of the experience all depends on the quality and success of each area of the model.
Even though we all wish we could avoid stress, without it we would become weak. It gives us a chance to strengthen our hearts and our minds for harder times to come.
We know that everyone copes and deals with a stress or crisis in their own way. Even minute and well thought out changes can make a difference. We can involve the Lord, share experiences, and watch our attitudes. Paying attention to each others behaviors can prepare us for times when we need to intervene.
We also talked about the ABCX model. "A" represents the actual event that took place. "B" symbolizes behavioral responses and resources available and how they used those things to their advantage to help with the crisis. "C" represents cognitions (how the family defines the crisis). "X" is the total experience and the result of the experience all depends on the quality and success of each area of the model.
Even though we all wish we could avoid stress, without it we would become weak. It gives us a chance to strengthen our hearts and our minds for harder times to come.