Hi Jesse!

> Great thread here, with lots of good
> suggestions. I plan to implement some of
> them myself!

Yes, I agree.... I'm amazed at how many great suggestions there are here.... :)

> For me, an almost guaranteed way to
> alleviate, and even eliminate stress
> altogether, is to just GET CRAZY for a
> moment! Seriously. Just look in the mirror,
> and make a silly face. Even if you feel like
> you're forcing it at first, after just a
> fleeting moment, it will become very real.
> Everything will suddenly be put back into
> perspective...and a wave of relief will wash
> over you as you realize that everything
> really will be OK.

Heheh, I like this! Laughing just eases stress so it melts away, like butter or margarine melts on a hot slice of toast.... :)

> Another fantastic method, which Gordon gave
> several great examples of, is to be one with
> nature. Whatever your IT is, go immerse
> yourself in it. For me it is the ocean, as I
> am blessed to live steps from the crashing,
> yet soothing waves. For you, it may be
> something entirely different. But the key
> point is to let yourself surrender to the
> majesty of nature...allow yourself to be
> awed by its wonder...and your stress will
> evaporate.

Jesse, I think we have this in common! I'm also an ocean lover.... I feel like my soul is with the ocean. I sometimes love to go to the water's edge and just look out, towards infinity over that vast expanse of blue.... That immense feeling that you are just a small dot on this great planet of overwhelming natural beauty.... I think you can get the same feeling too by taking some time, on a clear night, to gaze at the stars....

I haven't gone body surfing now for a while, but body surfing is also a passion! The swirl of the wave around you as you are zipping towards the shore is a fantastic feeling (and you're getting a little bit of a massage by the wave, too, I think at the same time!).

> There's plenty of other great ways,
> including many wonderful suggestions on this
> board. But to borrow a very appropriate buzz
> phrase from my dear friend Julie, above are
> two techniques you may want to "try
> on!"

Jesse, I liked those.... In fact, I made a funny face while I was writing, and immediately broke into a smile.... :)

Thanks! :)

- Dien