“Somehow, we’ll find it. The balance between whom we wish to be and whom we need to be. But for now, we simply have to be satisfied with who we are.” 
(Brandon Sanderson)

Perhaps you have a balanced life, some people do, with enough rest, enough play and interaction with family and friends, healthy life-style, and a balanced working-life. You may even take time to invest in your prayer life. If that’s you, well done. Keep doing what you are doing, as it is serving you well. 

Most of us, on the other hand, will struggle with stress from time to time. Whenever we are overwhelmed in any one area of our life, it may be helpful to find ways to de-stress and do whatever will help us get out of our head at least a few times a day. We may already have things we do that are helpful in this regard, so these suggestions are only meant as pointers. Use them if they help you, leave them behind if they don’t.

“Stress management is all about taking charge: of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions, and the way you deal with problems. No matter how stressful your life seems, there are steps you can take to relieve the pressure and regain control.”*  

Listen to your body

No matter what is going on in our life, our body will feel it. If you need rest, let your body tell you and try to make room for things you find relaxing. If you need friends, a listening ear, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for support. If you are not eating well, make sure to include at least a few healthy meals throughout your days. This may seem so obvious that we may take it for granted at times but looking after out bodies is as important as it is looking after our soul and our hearts. Self-care is crucial if we want to have a good quality of life.

Exercise

Exercise is as important for mental health as much as for our physical wellbeing. I personally find swimming most rewarding; if I have a lot on my mind, swimming will somehow clear my head from worrying. You, however, find whatever suits you best. Even short walks in fresh air, in the park, will do the trick.

Explore creativity 

Whether it’s writing, photography, pottery, cooking, or something else it does not really matter as long as you try to express yourself in a creative way. It is not about being perfect in something, but rather about having fun. Creativity invigorates us and opens up new possibilities. It challenges our way of thinking, in a non-threatening way. It can also help express some of the heavier emotions that are better to be carried by the paper than by yourself. 

These suggestions are not exhaustive. When we find ways to de-stress, we will gain more energy and enthusiasm for life. In turn, worries might turn into challenges, something perhaps we can even enjoy, and obstacles might prove to be new opportunities. This will come only with practice and regular effort, but eventually we may end up being creative even in how we live our life, and that would have made all the difference.   

* http://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm

Iva Beranek
Dr Iva Beranek is the Ministry Facilitator for the CMH: Ireland

In the beginning of time, “the Spirit of God was moving over the surface” of the earth (Genesis 1:2), as if blessing everything God was going to create, even before it came into being. God’s breath, ‘Ruah’, which is another word for the Spirit, is creative. God creates as He breathes; He creates life, He creates beauty. He also created you and me.  

When we focus on our breath, the simple act of breathing, we instantly come in touch with the Spirit of God that is within us. Breathing consciously takes us out of our heads and brings un into the present moment, which can especially be valuable if we are dealing with a situation that is making us feel anxious. This simple spiritual practice helps us be grounded in the present moment. It puts us in touch with the centre of our being where we find peace, a place undisturbed by thought and emotion. That is a place where God dwells.

Try and spend a few minutes by simply focusing on your breath. Sit comfortably, with your feet touching the ground reminding you of the connectedness with everything around you. Initially just notice your breathing, but don’t control it. Then, breath in a deep breath, knowing that you are breathing in God’s love. Breath out anything that is occupying your mind at this time, and then breath in God’s love again. Do this for a few minutes. 

Every morning when we wake up we become aware that we are given breath again, as if we are being created anew day after day. We are invited to wake up to the Presence of God who has held us in love from before our birth, to wake up to ourselves, and in general to live more awake to life, breath after breath.

Iva Beranek
Dr Iva Beranek is the Ministry Facilitator for the CMH: Ireland

“God, give us eyes to see
the beauty of the Spring,
And to behold Your majesty
in every living thing –
And may we see in lacy leaves
and every budding flower
The Hand that rules the universe
with gentleness and power –
And may this Easter grandeur
that Spring lavishly imparts
Awaken faded flowers of faith
lying dormant in our hearts,
And give us ears to hear, dear God,
the Springtime song of birds
With messages more meaningful
than man’s often empty words
Telling harried human beings
who are lost in dark despair –
‘Be like us and do not worry
for God has you in His care.'”
(Helen Steiner Rice)

The Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland wishes you all a very Happy Easter! 

I had a broken pot that I decided to repair. Actually, I broke it myself during a talk I was giving in order to illustrate our brokenness. Sometimes life breaks us, either through our own unwise choices, but most of the time through things that happen to us over which we have no control. At some point in this life we will realise that we, too, need healing. 

I looked at the pot and thought, “You were too beautiful for breaking”. I think Jesus would tell us something similar, “You are too beautiful for breaking”. Jesus knows what we have been through and so He tells us, “I want to mend you. I formed you in your mother’s womb, you are mine”. 

I gathered the pieces of clay, whatever was left of the pot and brought them home. One evening I lit a candle in my room, put all the broken pieces on a cloth, turned on some praise music in order to create a prayerful atmosphere, and I started putting the broken pieces together. It took some effort, some pieces were easier to stick together than others. However, what I soon discovered was that as I found the exact piece that was broken off another piece, they fitted perfectly, even to the smallest detail. With enough patience, as I found which piece belonged where, the pot started to take shape again.

For us healing is a journey, there is no quick fix. However, in our brokenness, or rather through it, God’s light can shine due to His love and grace. If I was so concerned about mending this pot as best as I could, how much more is God concerned in helping us heal from our wounds. I did not even create this pot, I only bought it, which is a much smaller investment than creating something. God, on the other hand, created you and me, He invested much more. Well, He actually invested His very self to help us in every possible way – so I believe that He is much more concerned about making broken people whole, than I was about putting back together this beautiful pot.

Iva Beranek
Dr Iva Beranek is the Ministry Facilitator for the CMH: Ireland