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HOW TO GET RID OF STRESS: PLAY YOUR CARDS WELL

DEAL WITH LIFE much the same way as you would play your hand in a game of cards. You have what has been dealt to you. You pick up, retain and discard as you go along. You may win or lose a game. But you play on. Are you stressed out when you play a game of cards? Certainly not.

Life is no different. Play life's cards cheerfully.

"Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is."

— Ernest Hemingway

Your 13 cards...

Your life... God I It's so precious.

Time... it's priceless.

Good health ... it's the fabric of life.

Your skills... they are your wealth.

Knowledge ... it's power.

Education... a tool for life.

Your positive personality traits... you strength.

Your negative personality traits ... your raw deal.

Relationships... your reason to exist.

Career... a support system.

Victories... the reason to go on.

Trials ... a test of strength.

Love... an antidote for everything.

A mixed bag? Yes, indeed. That's the way of life.

And now the game. Pick up and retain...

Good friends. These are the kind that are around in good times and bad. The kind that care and share. They even dare to tell you when you are wrong. Friends are great stress relievers. Treasure them always.

Clean habits. By this we mean, habits that are conducive to good physical, mental and emotional well-being. For example, personal hygiene and fitness routines would keep you comfortable at the physical level. Good hobbies and punctuality at the mental level The ability to relate well to people, and more importantly, to yourself, at the emotional level.

Noble thoughts. Thoughts trigger our speech and action. As we speak and behave, so we become. What we become is what we live with, right through our lives. When thoughts are frenzied and harried, the person is a bundle of nerves. When the mind rests in the higher and more noble realms of thought, the person reflects and radiates calm.

Forgiveness. Forgive yourself and those around you for what you 'perceive' as imperfections. You could be dead wrong, you know. To forgive and forget is to heal and find peace.

So you have an idea of what cards you need to keep... there are more such cards in life's deck. Unearth them all and decide what is good for you. Hold on to them for dear life!

Now, discard...

Guilt... is painful. Never get into situations you cannot talk to anyone about. Are you uncomfortable about a thought, word or deed ? Give it up. It's easier than living with guilt. Listen to the still small voice inside you. It is your friend.

Resentment... is cancerous. It gnaws away as it builds up disease. Yes. Doesn't the lack of 'ease' lead to 'disease'? So why walk into an ICU with your eyes open? Let go of resentment. Don't let it wear you down.

Criticism... is arthritic in nature. It cripples. It is a permanent habit that refuses to let you be free of stress and trouble. It seeks and finds negativity. It causes pain of a chronic kind. Simply stop being critical of others and yourself.

Fear... is paralysing. It causes tensions at. all levels of functioning. It creates migraines, aches and pains. It is unreasonable, illogical and makes you stressed out even before you encounter conflict. It is trouble in anticipation. Be reasonable. Fear flees before reason.

These are a mere indication of the negative cards that we may pick up. There are more. So many more that we may encounter.

Pride, anger, vengeance, shame, envy, jealousy, possessiveness, dishonesty... the list is frighteningly long.

But always remember, it is by choice that we retain these cards in our hands.

Realise that they have no place in your scheme of things.

They are useless. Discard them immediately. You are the player. You are in control.

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