Nurse Audrey’s Stress Relief Blog

Lost among the vegetables at the local grocery store, there stood before me an older woman with the most beautiful head of hair—hair that fell down her cheek and almost covered one eye. What mostly caught my attention was the beautiful, full head of hair on a rather elderly woman. I thought, “Has she escaped the hair loss that usually accompanies estrogen loss as we pass through our senior years?”

I just felt that I had to compliment her on the amazing mane. I approached her and said, “Your hair is so beautiful.” She nodded, and said, “Thank you,” looking pleased and puzzled at the same time as she thoughtfully examined the tomatoes. I continued making my way through the shelves of green and yellow peppers when it suddenly dawned on me—she was wearing a wig! My face flushed through several shades of red as I thought of me complimenting this woman on her lovely head of hair.

Have you ever felt embarrassed after giving a compliment and later finding out that things were not what they appeared to be? But practicing giving compliments, to be sure, is not a thing to be regretted if it is done with sincerity. 

On another occasion, I was again making my way through the isles of the local grocery store when I noticed an elderly lady. I observed her with interest because she was decked out from head to toe in her “Sunday best.” Unknown to her, however, was that my day did not begin on a positive note. Bombarding me since early that morning were some stress issues I had to deal with. To say the least, I was not in a good frame of mind when I met her there. However, seeing her decked out so attractively caused my attitude to take an about face! I approached her and commented on how nice she looked and how this made me feel much better. This small gesture seemed to lighten both of our days. My stress had lifted because I paid attention to someone other than myself, and she was blessed because I had taken the time to speak with her and notice the care she had taken to look special even if only in the grocery store.

So you see, in life, we win some and we lose some!

To help put yourself on the winning track over stress, check out my resources.

Until next time, this is “Nurse Audrey” signing off.

Our Canadian Thanksgiving Day has come to a close with many of us having had the privilege of sharing it with family and friends.  Is it just a time to have turkey, ham, yams and pumpkin pie? What about the day after thanksgiving, and every day thereafter? Do we think to be thankful, or are we consumed with the business of life, forgetting the blessings we receive each day?

Thanksgiving should not be celebrated and relegated to just one day a year, but instead thanksgiving needs to be a state of mind. Yes, a state of mind that can be with us all year long, encouraging us to have a thankful heart 365 days a year. Talk about a stress reliever!

I invite you to read this poem and contemplate on each sentence.

Thank you for the gift of life,
For letting me be me,
For all that I can know by words
And all that I can see,
For all the music I can hear
And all the songs I sing,
For all the joy that comes to me
And all the joy I bring,
For all the food that I can taste
And all the sweet scents smell,
For all the loved ones I can touch,
Who love and wish me well,
For all the beauty of the world,
Ever fresh and new,
I don’t know whom else I can thank,
And so I’m thanking you.

Why not print this poem and post it in a prominent place as a reminder to be thankful.

A final thought:
Give thanks in all things!

Till next time this is “Nurse Audrey” signing off!

I don’t know how it is in your part of the world, but where I live, summer is over and fall is here. This means that it is time to dig up the spent flowers, harvest the garden produce, and let the earth rest until next spring. The season of growing is over.

As I meditate on this I can’t help but compare the seasons of planting and harvesting to the different seasons we go through in our lifetime. We are born, each one of us, with such potential. Our life begins as a seed planted, hopefully in good soil. Like a seed that is planted and watered, it eventually germinates and grows into a useful plant. Likewise, we as humans grow and mature through the nurturing and teaching of trusted caregivers. We become useful and productive citizens, bearing good fruit that will be a blessing to others. As time marches on, we grow old and the colder weather of life comes with its accompanying frost and snow, signaling the end of life. 

As we journey through life, we need to take stock of how we navigate through the different seasons. I realize that not everyone is rooted in fertile ground; some have been planted in hard ground and some even among thorns. Nor does everyone have nurturing caregivers to help their seedlings grow into healthy plants.

Should life not have progressed as planned, take heart; it is possible to restore the years that have been lost and still be the best you can be, despite where you are in the season of your life.

Restoration is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and others.

I invite you feed back and until next time, this is ‘Nurse Audrey’ signing off.