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The camel and the straw
Once upon a time in a land far, far away, a merchant needed a camel to transport straw to another city. Since each piece of straw weighed no more than a feather, the merchant did not anticipate the rest of the story. As each piece of straw was put on the camel's back, the camel never complained. The camel said to his master, "I can handle this. I have lots of energy. I am strong, and after all, it is my responsibility to carry the straw."
Well, we all know what happened. The camel never complained, it did what camels are suppose to do, and the addition of one final blade of straw buckled the knees of the camel, broke its back, and he slumped to the desert floor. This is a famous story which fits into many of the themes on our stress blog. Some of the themes which I derive from the story are as follows.
- The camel, like many of us, never learns to say "no." He did what he was supposed to do as do many of us and it took its toll on his health and well-being.
- The camel, like many of us, did not know its limits. We only have so much strength, we only have so much time, and we only have so much energy. If we continue to say "yes" to everything, we are set up for the same fate as the camel.
- The camel did not strike a compromise with his master. There were no discussions of limits; there were no discussions of dividing up the burden to use other camels; there was no attempt to negotiate with the master a better way to deliver the product or to complete the task.
So, what other lessons do you find in the power walk of the camel? In a sense, each of us is a camel with responsibilities and tasks and very clear limits. What have some of us learned so that we do not go down the same road as our camel brethren?
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I have a stress problem that I need help with. I have a well paying job with great benefits that I have been at for almost 30 years. I am 52. The problem is that have to work 60 hours a week including the time I have to work on it from home. It's a catch 22 situation. I can't keep this up because it is causing stress and depression. But I can't leave this job because I have not experience doing anything else. The corporate pressure will not be going away.
If you have any advice I will gladly listen.
Thanks.
My stress is in being a caregiver for my husband who has Alzheimer's. I am 84 and at times feel overwhelmed. There is help in caring for him but at his current stage, he is not receptive.
After many years of not saying "no", beating my head against the wall to no avail, getting nowhere on tasks, pleasing no one especially myself, feeling overwhelmed, unappreciated, and frustrated,I finally came to the realization that I was my own worst enemy. I didn't realize how I was taking things out on others because I stretched myself beyond resonable limits. I learned to state my limits to anything and anyone, even saying "no" without guilt. Although it is harder sometimes to say "I'm sorry I can't", or just plain "no", I took the stress and pressure off myself, I feel much better, I laugh, smile, and sleep better,life is too short not to!
The analogy of the camels back has always facinated me. I appreciated reading the MD's point of view and find the story though provoking..... it caused me to pause and look closer at my own activity.
SOME OF US, DUE TO OUR PAST, DON'T KNOW OUR LIMITS. BEING A WORK-AHOLIC, IT TOOK COLLAPSING THREE TIMES BEFORE I REALIZED THAT I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN. A LOT. IN ADDITION TO THAT MY DOCTOR THREATENED TO HOSPITALIZE ME - INVOLUNTARILY. I SLOWED DOWN.
My belief is that we all need to clearly define our boundaries with everyone in our lives. Co-workers, bosees, friends, family, spouses, children, etc. Without well established boundaries, it is a free-for all for anyone and everyone to dump more onto ones plate of responsibility. Easy to say, very tough to do. Lots of prayer for strength and wisdom from God and to pray to God for inner peace while standing in midst of life storms.
To continue, medication at 26 is not the answer for all. Several physicians tried meds on me, unfortunately not enough doctors pay attention to possible underlying problems ie: environment to include relationships, past experiences... Medications are pushed far too often, in general they cloud you up to help cope and when you come outta that cloud it is even worse for you. Hopefully you don't lose too many years on that cloud... I would rather feel emotions, than not. I want to make sure I stay the same person I am FOREVER.
Staying positive is about the only way to keep it "norm". Church for some may not work, although religion in general is a great form of meditation. Whatever God or being you talk to, talking things out even if it is talking to yourself in a mirror is beneficial. A good way to keep yourself grounded, I can always talk myself out of a bad mood. I laugh at myself and say "Really, is it that bad"... And it never is, and there can always be something worse. Love yourself, be positive, love others, respect yourself, and standing your ground will keep a world of crap outta your way...
If you have found yourself struggling with the pressures of day to day stress, I have a solution. Go to church, any church. Get yourself right with God. Read The Word. Pray for yourself, and for others. It will transform your way of thinking tremendously!!!
Stress is a bigger problem than many of us realize, until it's too late.Like me, for example, at age 26, I started having anxiety and eventually panic attacks as a result.I am now able to control my stress levels with medication, counseling, and through my faith in God.
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