Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Among the snottier psycho knots I have been isolated with here in Coronaville is the prospect of parenting teenagers in my 80s. I never made plans to attend my 80th birthday, puff, puff, much less driving a soccer van to get there. An 80 year old soccer mom? Really? What is it you are asking of me, Sweet Lord?
This morning's read from "Meditations for People Who Worry" resonated for me again. Thought I'd share.
Begin quote
Our Bodies
Worry affects circulation, the heart and the glands, the whole nervous system and profoundly affects the heart I have never known a man who died from overwork, but many who have died from doubt. ~Charles H. Mayo
This is an old quotation, yet it is so timely. While we have begun to recognize the danger of workaholism and stress and how lethal these activities are, we still seem to be in denial about the roles that worry and doubt play in our lives.
Worry and doubt are not just harmless activities of the mind. They affect our bodies and their ability to function.
The human heart of a worrier has no home because the fast-beating heart of a worrier believes in control and takes on superhuman responsibility -- believes in the ability to control everything in that life. This kind of control is a big order. In fact, it is an impossible order and the body often, upon realizing this, explodes.
I have a wonderfu body. It performs well when I ask it to do what is humanly capable of doing.
End quote.
On this day in herstory, I am only 66 years old and my 3 orphans are still 2nd grade and under. My body is not humanly capable of predicting the future. Reminding myself to worry about parenting teenagers in my 80s when that happens, if that happens. For now? ? ? Onward through the Coronaville social distances. Soccer not allowed.
Just sharing.
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I don't really know how to label this but I having a rough week and I can't say it's one thing.... I have a lot on my plate which is nothing new and I try to cope in many positive ways and do but I still have my moments.My kids more so my daughters talk to me about everything which I know it's cause of comfort and we are close.... however I really struggle with the venting about their dad which...
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I did the dumbest thing today. I charged my earbuds, unplugged the block and put the block in my little bag instead of the earbuds. I wasn't happy about that when I got to the gym. What a dummy!
For the future, try to figure out who you can trust to take care of the kids in case you can't. I know I struggle with this decision for my own kids, and I'm young enough to have "less" worry, but I lack extended family that I trust enough, more so whose values I value enough, to take them were I or my husband to become incapacitated. I strive to find friends or "extended" familly, and build new relationships to help plan for this in the future. I know you struggle with trust and others, and I know you have done this parenting thing before, but perhaps you'll find a stronger community of support once the children are a little bit older, and if they get involved in more than just school. Perhaps you'll find their friends will connect you with good parents and families that can help you out for more of a "village" effect.
And yet, here we are today, and living in the moment doing what we need to do. Worrying does indeed sap us of all important energy - hopefully I didn't add any more worry to your plate, but instead gave some "back pocket" ideas for hope in seeing possibilities for how it can work. (and if all goes well, by the time they are teenagers they'll be able to manage their own schoolwork and be great helpers to you!) If there is love, kindness, compassion, and patience, I am sure you find joy and great success through this challenging time!
Anyway, it’s a fine needle to thread, acknowledging what could be in the future but also staying in the here and now. Maybe 66 the new 56!
For now, I'm just focusing on quieting the doubts. Just for today, our little ship of fools is holding steady through the stormy sees. It holds steadier when I let tomorrow take care of itself.
Slow and steady.
The geriatric parenting gig is feeling even freakier than the child prostitution gig, but? ? ? I'm shooting for the faith that God never gives you more than you can handle while reserving the right to wish God had a little less confidence in me. Seriously? An 80 year old soccer mom? Can't I just be an aging fashion diva with paper thin skin? Do I have to see 80 at all? I smoke because the experts promised smoking will prevent old age.
Shrug-a-lug. . .
Spring soccer leagues are just starting up. If the masked militias permit, the 7 year old wants to sign up. Hubs and I have been looking at passenger vans.
Slow and steady balance in the given moment has served me well in the past. Think I'll just keep on keeping on.