I am on a journey like everyone else. My journey will look different from yours, and that’s okay. I see our culture today attempting to guide folks into a “sameness” rather than allowing each person to become who God created them to be. It is just an observation; you may agree with me or disagree with me. It is okay either way — the individual will need to look and examine themselves, because I cannot.

 It can be pretty scary to sit and be with yourself. Remove any masks you may have put on so that others accept you. Being quiet and silent, with just your thoughts. Not so easy. Our culture provides us with many ways to dull our thoughts. For example, listening to music with earphones on, watching television, playing games on our electronic devices, reading books, going out with friends, as well as a multitude of many other ways.

 I know. A person can argue that reading and listening to music, as well as scrolling on our electronic devices, are alright. I agree to a point. I love reading and listening to music. I love playing Mahjong or Woodoku on my phone. However, if these past times take up more of your time than getting things accomplished or being with friends and family, there’s a problem.

The dopamine that these activities release in our brains can become an addictive habit. WE NEED to play games on our phones. WE NEED to text. WE NEED to scroll on Instagram or Facebook. WE NEED to stay connected. But connected to what? WE NEED to KNOW what’s going on, what people are talking about. Is what I am doing an addictive action or feeling? That’s because your brain WANTS that dopamine.

 Personally, I have discovered that I can get away with putting down my phone and not playing a game or ten by just going and taking a walk or calling my sisters. When I do that, I am redirecting my dopamine addiction away from something that is really unhealthy. When walking, I take a moment to observe my surroundings. I engage with just being who I am. If I see someone, I greet them. If I know them, I stop, and we have a conversation, and then continue on my walk. After my walk, I feel rejuvenated and clear-headed. I am ready to accomplish what I need to do.

We live and work in a stressful culture. You know what? You don’t have to be stressed, unless you allow it to stress you. I worked in the mortgage and banking industry for over 20 years. Stress? Absolutely. I would take walks with one of my co-workers over lunch or on a break to get away from the stress. I was so stressed out one afternoon after talking with another co-worker in another state that I broke my pencil in my hand. One hand. I was stressed. I went for a 20-minute walk to release the anger and stress. I walked up and down a couple of streets in downtown Seattle. I got my exercise! Again, I returned a lot calmer and refocused with the ability to work out the issue and feel good in the end.

Another way is through meditation. Take 5 minutes and deep breathe. When we are stressed, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode. Here is when we tend to breathe shallow and not deeply. When we breathe shallowly, our poor brains and cells become oxygen-deprived. Being oxygen-deprived is one reason why people get headaches. If you feel yourself getting tense, stop and breathe. Focus on something lovely or a happy memory. Inhale for four counts and hold for two counts, then exhale slowly for six counts. As you exhale, release the stress. Give your body permission to release the stress/tension. Repeat for at least 3 minutes. (Longer if you can.) You will notice that your whole body will relax.

The meditation process enables you to start rewiring your brain and freeing your thoughts from a rut. I will take some scripture, usually from the Book of Psalms, and read it, focusing on one or two verses and repeating them as I breathe.

 For example: Read Psalm 139 in its entirety. If you are having an issue with your body or even how you view yourself, repeat – “I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God specially handcrafted me.”  Focus on that, and as you inhale your breath, be aware that God’s glory surrounds you. His glory, His presence penetrates your body to the very nuclear cellular level and more. He created you in His image. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Allow yourself to be still and resonate with the statement of who you truly are. Be still. No extra thoughts, allowing them to go by like a train. Focused on “I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God specially handcrafted me.”  With each breath taken and released, you acknowledge the God who created you.

So, I hope that I have given you something to think about and hopefully a couple of activations that may help you along your journey.

Remember that you are not alone. You don’t have to deaden your emotions to the stress you may feel. Different tools can help. One of them is meditation, and the other is taking a walk. Simple things.