Are you living life, or merely just coping with it?

There are moments of lull, of tranquility where the roller coaster seems to have transformed itself into a tame choo-choo train ride for toddlers.

Then suddenly, without any warning, this tame choo-choo train viciously changes into one demon-possessed hell bound roller coaster ride.

You know what I mean.

There are bound to be events in our lives that will knock us on the head and jot us out of our life equilibrium.

A demanding work project with a super tight deadline; a new boss who seems to have decided to make you the scapegoat for every administrative blunder in the office; a death in the family; making preparations to shift house (from shopping for a new place, renovating the new place, to logistics for moving into the new place); the end of a close friendship; the end of a romantic relationship.

The list goes on.

I am writing about the stresses in our lives.

Sometimes don’t you just wish that things can remain the same, the way it has always been, before the fiasco happened? And bad things do seem to occur all at the same time don’t they? What a conspiracy!

Whether we like it or not, our life journeys will be challenged with difficult situations sometimes.

How do we live life, instead of merely just coping with it?

I am currently in a series of transitions in my life journey. I have resigned from my job after much struggle and deliberation ‘ I didn’t expect to leave the organization so soon ‘ without new employment waiting for me.

I am also in the process of passing on my previous role as the co-ordinator for OC Women to a successor, so as to focus on my new duties in Sayoni.

Transitions can be stressful and draining. Stresses in our lives can take its toll on our emotional and physical well-being.

How do we take care of ourselves so as to go the distance and not burnout prematurely?

Each of us will have to find our own ways to nurture a tranquil, restful and safe space for ourselves in the midst of the whirlwind of happenings in our life journeys, far from the madding crowd.

While negotiating through the current series of transitions in my life now, I take frequent short time-outs for myself. I make sure I have adequate sleep, for a tired constitution can magnify a stressful event many times over. I snuggle up to a good book, go for a movie on my own, write in my journal, take long walks; nurturing a space for my stressed out psyche to recharge through reflection and quiet contemplation.

I am constantly humbled by how the simple things in life can motivate, refresh and inspire me.

Last night, I went for a long walk around my neighbourhood. I could smell the cool night air, bringing with it the scent of leaves, grass and dew. I walked past the canal and could hear the trickling water and its echoes in the canal’s tunneling depths. I crossed the overhead bridge and stopped midway, my back leaning against the railings, my eyes scanning the scene before me. Standing in the middle of the overhead bridge at night, seeing vehicles with bright gleaming headlights speed toward you, past under you, gone behind you, is a beautiful sight. It will never be so nice to look at in the daytime.

I want to live life, not merely just coping with it. I want to take care of myself so I can go the distance.

What about you? Are you living life, or merely just coping with it?