But . . . it wasn't a whale - it was turtle, and a dead one at that.
Challenges or stresses in life can be the same. We see what looks like a whale - a monstrous trial on the horizon. We may even feel certain that's what it is.
Sometimes we're wrong, and the problem or stress isn't really whale-size at all. Instead it's just a turtle - maybe even a dead one - not something worth stressing about or expending a lot of energy over.
Other times, life does hit us with whale-sized problems. A natural response may be to stress, whine or ask "why me?" but as my husband loves to quote, "there is no problem so bad that whining about it won't make it worse." (Not that I whine or anything.)
For myself, the best help for challenges - big or small - is perspective. Sometimes it helps to see the issue from a different angle, like when our boat moved closer to the floating object. Perspective may come by talking things over with a friend, or focusing on something else like blessings, or infusing the situation with a little humor. I'm sure we got a good chuckle that day, and we still laugh about it now when we get together as a family and reminiscent our whale tale!
What helps you keep challenges or stresses in perspective? Do you like talking it out, focusing on something else, finding a reason to laugh?
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16 comments:
I'm totally using that quote on my whiny 9 yo son. :D
Such a wonderful post! You know, I think I like talking it out but sometimes that messes with me more. Hard to admit, but true. Sometimes for me talking and talking about it is really wallowing in it and not doing anything to get over it.
~ Wendy
This is sooo true! There have been times I worried about something that never even happened, or was fixed more quickly than I expected.
I can't talk things out, that only stresses me more! lol Sometimes I just need to forge ahead and try not to think about things.
Great post. It's so hard to see clearly sometimes that talking, laughing, crying helps.
What a memorable lesson! I take a roll up your sleeves and move on approach to most problems.
Oh, laughter, for sure. :) That's my stress relief!
But I love your insight here - perspective is a great, great thing.
Stina - LOL! It is a great line.
Wendy - Great insight! We need to be able to differentiate between talking it out and wallowing.
Jessica - Forging ahead is a great way to gain perspective - it often makes a problem appear smaller.
E. Arroyo - I'm with you - laughing and/or crying. I think that a good cry now and then can be cleansing. :)
Sandra - I love your roll up your sleeves approach. It inspires all sorts of positive/courageous thoughts!
Melissa - Humor really can be such a great medicine, especially the laugh out loud, tears in the eyes kind. :)
So much truth here. Perspective is so important.
I always talk out my stresses with Hubz. For me, talking is a way of releasing. If I'm stifled, I get more stressed. I can tell Eric anything...and he doesn't judge me.
This is awesome and SO TRUE!
I try to remind myself that challenges make us stronger and I wonder what the Lord is trying to teach me. I figure the sooner I figure it out and fix it, the sooner the problem will go away! lol
Loree - I'm the same way - talking stuff out to my hubby helps a lot. :)
Leigh - Great reminder! My husband and I were talking about something similar the other night. The Lord really does use trials - and specific ones for each of us - to teach us.
Rest helps me. A good night's sleep. I love taking a bath and reading a good book. That usually helps me with anything.
Jessie - YES! Things never seem as bad if I can get good (8 hours), consistent sleep. And books are nice help too.
Oh man, nothing like discovering a stinky dead turtle, lol. I love the takeaway lesson in this story, Stacy!
Sarah - There was even a little boy who asked his mom why the turtle wasn't moving!
Finding humor in hard times is such a blessing. I try to look for the silver lining, too, though sometimes it takes a while to see, it's always there. And you're right, a lot of problems look huge at first, but turn out to be more turtlish in size.
Margo - So true. There is always that silver lining to challenges! Finding it can add great perspective.
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