[Z-man]

Stress Management
Picture yourself near a stream.

Birds are singing in the crisp, cool mountain air.

Nothing can bother you here.

No one knows this secret place.

You are in total seclusion from that place called the world.

The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

The water is clear.

You can easily make out the face of the person whose head you're holding under the water.

There now, feeling better?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

In all seriousness -- work can be stressful. I work in corporate America and the stress can be all consuming. We work so we can get paid, so we can relax and enjoy life. If working is preventing you from enjoying life -- that's a problem. While we need money to survive (and enjoy life), sometimes putting it in the right perspective helps you deal with the stress. They talk about a work-life balance. Unfortunately, too many people translate that into a work-work life balance, which equates to no balance at all.

My wife and I are both workaholics. This is a problem for us -- we both get home late, and our minds are jelly at the end of a stressful day. We are in the process of learning how to change our perspective -- in 10-15 years, even if I am still working for my company -- will the extra effort I made TODAY really have a tremendous impact on my workplace environment? On the other hand, in 10-15 years, will I regret the time I lost with my wife because of work? You bet. If my wife is more important than my work, I need to be able to show that with my actions. And if my actions show this, then the stress of work gets put into a better perspective.

Food for thought.
-Z-man.