Primal Journal (Ecks) page 88

[lopisheep]

Man, that spammer is way out of date!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 300 was pre-history:-)

[Sabine]

Heeheehee! Judg, when you said 'food porn' I had an image flash through my head, Ecks laid out, with a selection of sushi and sashimi on his chest and abs, like that bizarre trend at New York restaurants in the nineties.

Poor Ecks, can't tell if that will make him laugh or run for the hills!

[ecks]

Little bit of both sabine... little bit of both...

[Judg]

I missed that bizarre trend. Whew!

[lopisheep]

Me too. I think that's when I was living in B.C.:-):-) Maybe it never got that far north:-)

[ecks]

Been a ball of stress lately. Anyone have any ideas? Just dealing with not having work, feeling without purpose, and possibly having to move back to my parents place. Not getting any job call backs and I'm not sure if I can reasonably afford to live here anymore- rent's going up which doesn't help. What do you guys do to cut loose?

[Sabine]

Well, I can't advise on how to relieve stress, because I'm just not very good at that. Hugs going out to you, though. Good luck. Be glad you have parents who can help you if you need it. Try and get enough sleep. And just keep moving forward, a step at a time.

[lopisheep]

Hey, ecks -- I am so feeling for you, so here goes my two cents worth:-)

We parents are here for our kids always! That's number one. My oldest moved back in with all three kids once. Life is hard that way -- losing a job and high rents or breaking up. My youngest sister moved in with me two times. Your parents will love having you. They understand. Hey, I just remembered. I moved back home once! And your kids may do the same someday -- especially with the economy as it is, was, and will be again. So that part is not the hardest, I am imagining. And from small, subtle comments you have made, your roommates aren't the greatest. You parents will be proud to have you, and they even get the new you all studly! You can make them lovely primal meals without even saying anything and get them gradually hooked big time. Okay, there's a bit (lot) of losing your independence, but hey, there are worse things. You know, maybe that's one of the purposes right now. Or are they on a perfect primal diet already??

The job situation stinks -- here, on MDA -- there are so many without jobs -- all good workers. My BIL went without work for almost a year, and he was looking everyday. My older son, my older daughter. My younger daughter got her teaching credential in May and can ony find a part-time assistant teaching job. It's crazy. IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE A FAILURE.

Think of this huge huge, life saving thing you have done for yourself with primal. You are the only one I know who has done it so well. That is a success beyond all successes. Look at me and the others around here. I mean, everyone must be sick of how many times I mess up weekly. Nature and G-d balance us out. Maybe your job difficulty is the balance. You will get a job. It just might take some time.

And, you know, I'm thinking. I KNOW they are many people on this forum who are lifted up by your success. That is definitely a purpose. Do you know you are the only one who started when I did who's still here -- well, I mean of the group I was in communication with then. You have been an influence when I fail once again. You are doing it. That is huge. Whether I do it or not, you are still going to remain a positive influence -- and don't think it's just the food you eat. It's your personality. I mean, people in my house know your name -- the ecks' one:-) -- and your stories. Those are important.

So, keep plugging away on the job front. Relate with good people, and -- if you read -- there is a wealth of books out there. And we're all supporting you as you have supported us -- and that's no little thing.

I'm not so good at cutting loose. But, for me, it's books, languages. For you, I'd add your best friend and people, maybe a positive movie here or there, a barefoot walk, pulling that car around. We all love you. Your family loves you and so do your friends. It's all part of the great big thing called life and you are tough and can make it through. Maybe you could pick up your Arabic -- something you never got around to. Your mom and dad would love it. There is a job for you.

Positive prayers and thoughts on there way to you:-) Pam

Been a ball of stress lately. Anyone have any ideas? Just dealing with not having work, feeling without purpose, and possibly having to move back to my parents place. Not getting any job call backs and I'm not sure if I can reasonably afford to live here anymore- rent's going up which doesn't help. What do you guys do to cut loose?

[Judg]

Pam, you are so sweet...

You realize, Ecks, you're asking a group composed primarily of middle-aged women on how to cut loose? LOL!

It is important to get out and see people, especially in activities that won't be depleting your wallet. I don't know, organize a potluck picnic in the park with a Frisbee game, for example, although it might be getting late in the season for that. I make sure I spend time with family and friends, even if it just means inviting a girlfriend over for coffee if I'm too tired for going out.

I have learned to smell the roses, most of which are free. All the little joys and pleasures of life should be savoured, even if it's just the colour of the sky or the radiant smile of a toddler. And whenever I'm tempted to feel sorry for myself, I remember that most of humanity through most of history lived a much tougher life than I do. Whatever happens, you will not be on the street, dodging bullets, fearing the secret police at the door, facing total starvation... I just imagine myself looking someone from Syria or a famine zone or a Christian or human rights militant (often the same people) from China straight in the eye and trying to complain about my situation. It kind of puts my problems in perspective, and did even when my problems were much more severe than they are now.

Make it a point of pride to maintain your good results. About a year and a half ago, I had a lot of stuff coming at me, and the pounds no longer dropped off. But I made darn sure I lost my one pound every month. It was all I had the gumption for, but there was NO WAY I was letting the weight come back on. It's easier to keep your morale up when you are so clearly winning in one area of your life, even if winning is sometimes just maintaining the status quo. So keep checking in here to keep yourself accountable. Cut yourself a little slack if you have to - stress hormones make weight loss difficult - but don't let yourself go.

And do stop and think of all the things, especially physical activities, that have been making you feel so good over the last year, and make a conscious effort to keep them up. A good sprint session sounds like a good definition of cutting loose and there will be no regrets afterwards.

And for me, really connecting with God is very, very important. Some deep, intimate prayer time during which I spend less time laying out my requests and more time just marvelling at who God is and how much he cares for me lift me right out of the storms and re-establish my emotional balance to make all the other things I've talked about possible. The book of Psalms becomes a daily spiritual supplement at times like that, and favourite ones get read and reread and memorized, so I can pull them up any time I need them. Philippians 4:4-9 is also a great text to help maintain a good outlook, especially when you consider that it was written from prison by a man who had suffered immensely in his life.

And I stuff my ears with lots of good music. I put joyful music on and dance. All by myself, which means I can really dance like nobody's watching. I have even turned that into my sprinting occasionally. And it really feels good.

[Siobhan]

Physical activity, out in nature if at all possible. Hike, run, walk, hang upside down from a tree. Lay in the grass. Swim. Borrow someone's dog. Go out at night and look at the stars. Though they seem impossibly remote, they are as close as our own bodies; we are made of their dust.

Then go to YouTube, call up your favorites and sing as loud as you can.

Stay away from alcohol and carbs. They are depressives. Lotsa protein and fat!