Stress-Culture?

The day stress comes into your life marks the day you begin your journey toward adulthood. No matter what generation, there is always some turning point at adolescence when stress becomes the most constant thing in our lives. This dark shifty knight follows us through adulthood, cripples our soul and spirit and withers away our bones. We live in a stress culture- stress is the most dangerous drug and we are addicted to it and can't free ourselves. We propagate it in all fields of life- through the media, through conversation, through actions. Stress is an indicator of success- you're so busy and stressed out? That's great you must be doing it right! You pulled an all-nighter? Wow, I wish I could do that! You're on your fifth cup of coffee this morning? That's fantastic. But there is a dangerous line to walk. Succumb to the the pressure, crumble under the weight, and fall swiftly out of the graces of society. It is a crucible we have voluntarily suspended over our heads, adding more and more weight, pulling it closer and closer to our bodies until we are squashed into nothingness. Scientifically, stress causes problems in all areas of our lives- sleeping, eating, social interaction... gone unchecked, stress can lead to high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. It can induce body pains, headaches, and illnesses. We are slowly killing ourselves.

Why? What for? "I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear..." wrote Thoreau in Walden. Stop whatever it is you are doing right now. Look out the window. See the rain pitter pattering down. See the dark green tree silhouetted against the deep gray sky. See it moving its branches, swaying this way and that, to accommodate for the blowing wind. Hear the rain as it pings down onto pavement. Hear the swoosh of the cars as they rush past through the puddles. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Feel your fingers and your toes wiggling. Imagine the stress leaving your body. How do you feel?

Why is it that we chase so fervently that which is not life? Why do we let our lives become the slaves of petty frivolities? Why do we burden ourselves with pain instead of setting ourselves free? What are you afraid of? What will happen when you stop being stressed? We can't escape from stress, we can't run away from it. But we can duck out from underneath it. We can refuse to expending our precious energy on that which does not matter. We are the masters of our own destinies.