Simple Things on a Stressful Day

It has been one of those weeks.  We all have them.  Yesterday was the crème de la crème of  challenging.  It was another 11 hour day in the office, rushing to try and get to my women's volleyball night, even though it was an 8:30 game.  On the drive there, I thought I am either going to be so "on" and play better than I have in along time, or have an athletic break down on the court.  It was the latter.  I think I might have successfully passed one ball from the back row in each of the three games.  I was called twice on double hits-which I called myself on long before the whistle blew. It didn't matter though.  This is all for fun, and it was fun.  It was simple; it was honest, and it was gals out for a night of a little exercise, but mostly to stop and have a beer, a glass of wine, or just any cold drink, and let the rest of the day fizzle in the past. 


I was at a long meeting yesterday.  The focus was to start preparations to launch a deep and vast statewide program expansion.The funding is tight. The timelines are tight. The challenges are many.  There was collective optimism, but more than a few twinges of doubt and apprehension.  Two things were good about this meeting-and both were really simple things.  Frist, the meeting organizer arranged a very nice lunch-healthy and yummy, and enjoyed in a collegially atmosphere. Catered lunches are not the norm in my world, and  it was much appreciated by all. Never underestimate the power of food.  Secondly, the meeting facilitator and host, ended the meeting with  making sure there was a concrete list of  items that needed more time and attention, and tentative timelines and persons to start that stage.  Simple-acknowledge where the challenges lie, and develop a plan to act on them. Some of the stress bubbles seemed to float out the door with us as we left.  I love meetings done with good facilitation, that lead to good ideas and decision making. I've been trying to apply that principle in other areas of my life, so it was good to see it in action.


I needed some humor this week.  I love to laugh, and when I do, I  feel like I am almost releasing toxins from my body.  It is that therapeutic for me.  I was a little wound  up the other night with worry about work, the potential changes coming soon, my family, just everything, so found an episode of Black Books, the comedian Dylan Moran's sitcom.  I knew I had to watch my favorite-the one where Bernard and Manny write a children's book, and Fran has an attempt at a girls weekend.  If you have never seen the show-I highly recommend it for just simple, mostly non- offensive humor.  


I guess I could sum up my recipe for distressing as friends, food, momentum, and laughter.  I'll have a second helping today, please.