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BEATING THE STRESS OF LIVING...TAKE A HIKE

Oh what a mad and chaotic world we live in; personal issues, family problems, work and the problems there are all boss related of course, not so. Then there is politics and religion. They will give you a migraine for sure, war, natural disasters...STRESS...and we feel like we are being torn apart at the seams. Oh what to do about it...Lord, I just can't take it anymore. I've had enough. But life isn't over. You can't just quit. You woke up this morning and you have to face another day but it doesn't have to be stressful. It doesn't have to beat you down.

Let me share a little story with you. I used to have this job I really loved, enjoyed most days but I had a boss that could get on my last nerve by just walking into the room. I'm retired now but I will never forget that job or the boss. He really was a good person and he knew his business but we had a major personality clash. The funny part about it was that we really liked and respected each other we just couldn't get along. I remember one day he and I were having a rather loud debate, in his office. I didn't like the way certain things were going or how some folks were being treated, especially some of the prejudicial language my boss was inclined to use and I was letting him know exactly what I thought in no uncertain terms. Finally he threw his hands in the air and yelled, "Lady, shut your mouth and take a hike before I fire you." Being me I said, "Thanks," and shot him my best "drop dead" look and then abruptly stormed out of his office and right out the door. I took a hike and didn't come back to work for nearly three hours. Taking a hike can really soothe the savage beast.

When I returned the boss asked me where I had been and being the bit of flip person I am inclined to be I told him he had told me to take a hike so I did and I was feeling much better. He shook his head and grinned and then told me to get to work. He could have fired me. He didn't because he knew he'd been wrong and later we were able to discuss the matter in a civil manner but we always managed to somehow stress each other out first. There was one thing that we both agreed on however, taking a hike reduces stress.

I love the outdoors and I love hiking. For me it is a passion in life. I find when I am out there, away from the turmoil of life around me I can find a peace in life I find nowhere else. There is a beauty and calm in the nature of this Earth we live on and if we will let it that

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