Stress Checklist: Note-to-self

Dear PenningJade,

       You're starting to sweat the small stuff, and it feels like you're about to implode, explode, and tear yourself apart from the inside. Those scary thoughts of failing, or being alone, or being unloved start popping up in your head again, even though they've been dormant for months until now. All this is going through your head while you're in Chemistry trying to focus on the prof's lecture on VSPER models. It seems that productivity has completely escaped your grasp, and you want to curl up and sleep. The main thought on your mind:

WHY THE HECK AM I FREAKING OUT LIKE THIS?!

Well, I have here a lovely checklist to help you answer just this question:

1. Have you eaten today? If so, was it enough? When you forget to eat, your brain often times starts eating at whatever it can, even if what it eats is the happy thoughts. If you forget to eat, you can't fly, because it takes FAITH and TRUST, not just pixie dust (this is NOT a drug reference!).
2. Have you prayed today? If not, DO IT! If so, DO IT AGAIN! Prayer works, and it will always work, no matter how many times you have to kneel down, and pray for comfort, it will come in the Lord's time.
3. Have you had a hug yet today? Hugs are like food, if you don't get enough, your body starts eating up the happy thoughts, and then you're left in Chem class holding your wrist very tightly so that you don't scratch at an imaginary itch that caused by stress. Hug Anne, or Erin, or SOMEONE! (but not random strangers, a Brogan or Nicole hug would be ideal because their hugs fix everything)
4. Are you being reasonable about stressing? If so, then remember, you don't take much of anything seriously, why should this be any different? If not, then just chill, and think calming thoughts (also refer to 2)
5. Do you have a visitor? If so, then just deal with her, and she'll leave in a few days. If not, is she on her way, or did she just leave? Because she has a nasty habit of messing with your emotions. You just need to stop letting her direct how you feel at the moment. You're not the only one who has to deal with her, so just find comfort in your bananas and chocolate until she's gone. (if she isn't here count yourself lucky!)
6. Finally: Are you giving yourself enough credit? Sometime you try to hide that glorious light that shines inside you, because you're afraid of offending others. Never do this. Remember what Marianne Wilson said in her 1992 book, Return to Love: 

it is our light not our darkness that most frightens us

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others

If you are still having a hard time dealing with those useless feelings welling up inside you, and you can't get anywhere where you can just let them flow, I have one final suggestion:
Act like Beatrice. It has only been 18 months since you were on stage portraying Beatrice in William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing", and you rocked. She was the kind of girl who could deal with anything dealt to her without too much crying getting in the way (except when her beloved cousin was accused of a heinous sin). She had a stiff upper lip, and when you portrayed her you were invincible (well, for acts I and II). If you need to portray her again for an hour or two until you can resolve the issues at hand, then do. Just put your shoulders back, head held high, and arm yourself with sarcasm and wit (which are totally well polished weapons in your arsenal).

Well, Miss Jade. I hope this advice has helped you with your bad mood day. Remember: a good day is a choice, and you need to choose to be happy.

Sincerely Loved, and sincerely said:

I'm writing to you, love
PenningJade