A Squirrel Tale

Ever been blessed out by a squirrel? I received a true tongue lashing the other day.

I had a tree cut down that was too close to the house and was also rotten in the core. The squirrels were at a loss. They had been used to being able to jump from the back porch straight into the tree limbs. It was a huge hackberry, full of bird and squirrel holes and hideaways. I did hate to see it go, but it was necessary. The squirrels did not share my feelings however, and let me know it.

I apologized profusely, but the tree had to go. After all is said and done, I deserved the tongue lashing and tail twitching fury, but I do have plenty of other trees in the yard and they will adjust.

We live in concert with our wildlife friends, so I do feel quilt. I will never forget the frantic pacing back and forth, and the desperate look of "what happened to my tree." I feel the loss as well, but I know it was the right decision...no matter how much it upset the squirrels. I know they won't have to go far to reestablish their home...and I can keep my home safe from a tree way past its prime.

Stress and crime

Originally I wanted to address "stress" and mental illness as the subjects of my blog, but I have tended to write about the stress of our economy and the political aspects contributing to this stress.

Recently, I have noticed an increase in violent crimes in my city and state, and have wondered if the stress related to the economy, loss of jobs, and a general sense of hopelessness has caused this increase in violent crime.

If a person is on the edge anyway, due to stress and/or mental illness, it wouldn't take a lot more to push him or her into a desperate act. Unfortunately many of the victims of these desperate acts are the people closest to that person.

Sometimes it is hard to see tomorrow as looking any brighter than today. Mental health professionals are quick to point out that things will always change. It isn't always easy to see that change coming, especially if you need a change for the better.

Why can some people recover from setbacks faster than others? Support from family and friends is helpful but doesn't always work. Losing a sense of control of your life can be the worst part for most people. Gaining back that control is essential in gaining back your self esteem so that you can get on with life.

The following may help if you have that feeling of loss of control:
1. Get help from a mental health professional
2. Find someone who can listen...spouse, friend, pastor, sister or brother
3. Seek out others in your same profession
4. Seek out others with similar interests such as in a club or hobby
5. Check out your local city and state resources
6. Get into the habit of getting up, getting out...do not sit at home
7. Get enough rest and eat a healthy diet...exercise...take a walk
8. Know that you are not alone

Stress can cause many changes in your body and mind. Carefully evaluate your situation and keep your head up. Accept help if you need it. Don't allow the stress of life to get you down. And especially, keep your cool and don't take out your stress on the ones closest to you.

Can't sleep...

As most people are getting up and getting ready to go to work, I am sleeping. I work the evening shift and worked the night shift previously. I have problems going to sleep sometimes and this has been one of those nights.

I am worried about my 401K. I don't like losing the money which is mainly tied into the stock market in mutual funds, but it is too late to move any funds around without losing a great deal more.

I have decided to buy some individual stocks in a separate account not tied into my retirement...just to see if I can offset the loss; but, it will be a while before I can tell if this works. Nothing will work if the stock market doesn't recover in a few years. And it will take years for our economy to rebound.

I have a headache which will not quit. And I can't sleep...

Fear of unknown, uncertainty

The fear of the unknown and the uncertainty of the past few days may be taking it's toll. The mental stress of the financial crisis can overwhelm us if we dwell on it.

President Bush was very reassuring in his address to the nation yesterday morning concerning the money markets. He is right when he says we can and we will get through these problems. It is fear that has caused the stock prices to bounce and wobble. It may take awhile, but we will recover.

We sometimes have to let go of things for a while, so we can gain perspective of what is important. The mind and body have to recoup and renew, so that they can have the strength and energy to start all over again.

Take time this week-end to enjoy the things you do have; relax with friends... gather with family... get some exercise... clear your mind... maybe even get out and do a little fishing.

Do whatever it takes for you to get some mental and physical R&R so that you can face the issues of the upcoming week with a fresh out look and attitude.

The Party is Over? Maybe

Is it time to call it a day? What a bunch of babies! There is certainly a lot of blame to go around, but now is not the time for Congress to point fingers. The American people are disgusted enough with the lack of leadership concerning the Wall Street financial crisis; but the refusal of Congress to find an equitable solution to this problem is criminal. Do we really expect any more? It is just business as usual on Capital Hill.

As Wall Street continues to falter, life goes on...

No one wants to pay for this mess, but I hope we don't end up losing even more before a plan is hammered out. We have lost money, sure; but will we continue to lose the respect we have for our elected leaders.

I hope this bailout crisis will make everyone aware how important it is to vote in the upcoming election in November. Hopefully, people will stay interested in the 2008Presidential election. I fear apathy could take its place as we watch Congress fight among themselves rather than take a real interest in resolving the immediate crisis.

I believe I am feeling stressed and a little helpless myself. I don't like this feeling. I like being in control of my future. Obviously, someone else is in the position to dictate what can happen in my life and to my life savings. Greed is a hungry monster.

I hope Congressional grandstanding will become less important as the next few days go by, and I hope a plan can be agreed upon for the good of the American people as well as for the financial wellness of our banks and Wall Street.

Wall Street Financial Crisis

Our leaders in Washington,DC have a crisis. The financial crisis didn't occur overnight and it can't be resolved overnight; but, we are being told that if we don't agree to throw lots of money to bail out Wall Street (no questions asked!!!) that our entire economy will collapse. Bull.

This sounds like the old sales pitch that goes: "The deal is only good for today! The price goes up at midnight!! We have to have your answer now!!!"

I can't believe President Bush went on TV and told the American people that MORE people would lose their homes, their pensions, their jobs unless we agree to this bailout...since when did he get concerned about this??? Yesterday??? Apparently while the American people were being tricked and duped, the leaders of our country sat back believing that unregulated greed could rule the day. Who has been looking out for the average citizen??? Not the CEO's or CFO's, not the banks or mortgage houses.

The free reign given to banks and credit companies on Wall Street during the 1990's needs to be brought under control. If they can't do honest and responsible business, they don't deserve to be in business.

Why do these irresponsible entities think the taxpayer should rescue them after they have run the well dry by reaping gigantic profits for themselves. Being irresponsible should not be rewarded.

I fully understand that my 401(k) has already decreased in value and will probably look even worse as the next few weeks and months go by; but, I do not care to see my hard earned money thrown out to fix a problem that should never been allowed to happen. Yes, it needs to be fixed. Yes, government oversight is needed. I don't have to like it. I don't want to see the same people who got us in this crisis in the first place to be rewarded. I am stressed out by the lack of leadership by our government. I want to see thoughtful, carefully planned out solutions. The knee-jerk reactions of DC have surprised me. Maybe I am naive. I believe all will eventually be straightened out, and hopefully we will become stronger. In the mean time, I hope real solutions will be found and implemented, and that measures will be taken to prevent this bailout mentality.

Accountability needs to return to business. Large profits can't be artificially produced and then Woops! disappear overnight. This shifting the blame and pretending not to know how on earth these things could have happened has got to stop. Theories of finance and how money markets work may need some tweaking. Are the experts that far off the track?

Starting your day off right

Some of us jump up out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off. Many of us hit the snooze a few times before we drag ourselves out. At any rate, how you wake up and spend these first few minutes can influence how you face the rest of your day.I found this great video on YouTube by "sadienardini" which I think will help many of us get our day started on the right track. It is nice to wake up, stretch, get our bodies energized and put ourselves in the right physical and mental frame of mind, even before we get out of bed.I hope you enjoy:

Wake Up to Yoga in Bed

...I have placed the video to the left of the blog. This is a way to reduce the stress of the day and to get ready for anything that comes along.

Ack!

Why does it seem that everything goes wrong all at the same time! Is there a cosmic rule that says it has to be that way?? Have I angered the gods?? Have I brought this misfortune on my self by my behavior?? What??

It's not fair! Why does the refrigerator have to leak, the car battery has to die (twice, I might add), and then the house keys go missing after I have locked myself out the door. I just want to go to bed and pull the covers over my head...or dash my head on the rocks. I'm afraid to find out what will happen next.Thank goodness all these things can be resolved, but it is just frustrating to have to deal with them. I had other plans for my day off!

Stress can come in all shapes and sizes; how we deal with it can determine our mental and physical health. Or just maybe our mental and physical health determines how we deal with stress. It is so important to keep yourself on an even keel; getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods and drinking enough water. Take care of yourself first and all else will fall in place.

And I'm lucky to have a good friend who didn't judge when I freaked out and couldn't find my keys. Friends can help reduce your stress by helping you work through your problems and by just being there when you need them. And those keys...you might just find them exactly where you put them...

Intro to jana's azul garden

The "purpose" of this blog is to throw out some ideas and see if anyone can relate and respond in kind. I am interested in how stress effects us all and how we deal with it. This includes work stress, family stress, money worries, to name a few, and how all this makes our mind and body react.Saving money (and the planet!) by buying local and organic is important in my book. I intend to include some ideas for simple and easy meals along with recipes. Feel free to add any favorites of your own by blogging to this site.After all is said and done, "We Are What We Eat!"Also, I would like to address our mental health: how we deal with our own as well as our friends and families well being. Do you know anyone with depression, obsessive-compulsion, or bi-polar illnesses? I am not a professional and do not profess to have any particular knowledge of these; but as a lay person I hope to open a forum where people can express their opinions, give the benefit of their experiences, and hopefully help each other by being open and honest about how our brains and bodies work.If we are all "Running Against the Wind"... We might as well have friends to keep us company and help share the load.