We have become nothing more than hamsters running on a wheel working more so we can satisfy our craving for more junk. We buy stuff we can’t afford so we need to work more in order to pay for it. Our ego just can’t be satisfied with what we have, we need to have more; more junk, a better title, the next promotion at the expense of our kids, our spouses and our relationship with God.
“The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind.” Gordon Gekko – Wall Street

The prosperity gospel being sold today as Christianity isn’t helping either…

Boy, do I agree with that. There seems no relief from stress these days. None. I watch my students as they feel the burden of undone tasks – do we wake up in the mornings with a short (or long) list of things that should be done. Today is a day off for me – a rare thing. There is laundry, grading, a dirty house, the dog needs walking, I need to do bills – and today – is a day off. My husband and I had a leisurely lunch at a “slow” restaurant. Then we went to a great little movie – “Dan in Real Life:. Great little movie about family and love. About a year ago, I read a book “In Praise of Slowness” by Carl Honore. Gave a copy to my doctor who has recommended it repeatedly to patients.. it is about deliberately slowing down and simplifying. It is about the joy of spending time – being present to one another – about meals that take hours as we relax into the presence of those we love. Darn, it is a good book.
Stress – like 24/7 news – like the hundreds of tasks we think are required – like the 4.0 grades our kids think are the only path – destroys us.
Stress is also good. Without the stress of knowing about injustice and feeling the need to find solutions to huge problems – we might as well be sitting and gazing at our collective self righteousness.
So, how to balance – be in relationship? Perhaps the concept of Sabbath needs to be explored. Rabbi Heschel in his classic book – “The Sabbath” speaks about time and its use and about finding meaning – at one point refers to the Sabbath as great cathedrals. Capable of evoking awe.
We have all been entranced by the video of Paul Potts. What stress had lead him to this place where he was willing to give it all in one moment? And why did that moment relieve something in those who see it? This is definitly as point that we all share in common.

Hal Lindsay once wrote a book about entering into God’s rest. It was the best book he had ever authored, but he had poisoned the demographic. The prophecy buffs weren’t interested in a non-prophecy book, and the people who didn’t like his prophecy books (and there are plenty of those)weren’t about to buy any book by Lindsay. I taught a Sunday school class using the book, and found that there are many passages in the Bible dealing with entering into God’s rest. The class went well except for one intellectual guy was terribly upset that I would use a book by Lindsay.

This entry really hit home because it is so true. The sad part is how hard it is to not get sucked into this crazyness as the Red Queen’s Race that is the American workplace will still drag you in.
So if you’re not caught on the acqusition treadmill, your co-workers probably are. As they work harder to support their leveraged lifestyles, you have to work harder to avoid looking like a slacker.

Stress relief comes in a bottle, Sailor Jerry Rum.

A literal crusade against depression?
Pardon my skepticism, but as Thomas might have said, I’ll believe it when I see it …

A beautiful post and some beautiful comments. Thank you.
mnuez
http://www.mnuez.blogspot.com

Great post, David. It serves to reinforce my commitment to do my little part to ease the anxiety of people around me. Thanks.