The "Hmmm...This Means Something" Friday 5

Sometimes I wonder if I'm so thick-headed that God has to go to great lengths to get my attention. (The answer is YES!) I think that there must be a message for me in this week's Friday 5:

Here's this week's Friday 5 from Sally...

I am off to spend a few days at the beach chilling out after a hectic few weeks and before I head off for Summer School...

Coveting is bad, right?

So with that in mind this weeks questions are looking at how you deal with the stress monster!!!???

1. First, and before we start busting stress, what causes you the most stress, is it big things or the small stuff ?

Yes.
I am a detail person, so the small stuff stresses me out but I can get it done and that makes the bigger picture a little easier to handle. In principle.
I work with a big-picture senior pastor. That's all I'll say about that!

2. Exercise or chocolate for stress busting ( or maybe something else) ?

Yes.
Chocolate is always my go-to, but since I hurt my back in April I've added pacing to my repertoire. That's exercise, right?
I also have a select few trusted folks that I can use as a sounding board, and who will let me whine or vent to relieve a little stress when I need to. The real gift is that they are trustworthy enough that I can dump all those things we think and don't say and they don't hold me responsible for them in the end.

3.What is your favourite music to chill out to?

Rich Mullins (esp. playing hammered dulcimer), They Might Be Giants (especially if I'm feeling childish, punchy, or silly), Chris Rice (the Piano Sessions are gorgeous), good old 80's music...

4. Where do you go to chill?

Senior pastor's office, online to chat with my bff who is in Germany (hi, T!), coffee time with my local clergy women's group, anywhere near big water. I'm so glad I live at the coast...I can walk a block from work and look across at a barrier island with wild ponies. Sometimes they even come down this far.

5. Extrovert or introvert, do you relax at a party, or do you prefer a solitary walk?

I am an extrovert; see the chart to the right. I enjoy people, but I also enjoy alone time. I just don't like too much of it. A few hours, generally, are plenty, with an occasional day or two or three to remind me that God's a person too, and a source of strength.

Bonus- share your favourite stress busting tip!

Find someone you can say absolutely anything to, who will keep your confidences and not think you're a terrible person just because you have the occasional terrible thought. Seriously, the few people like that in my life (maybe 3 right now) are what keeps me sane(ish).