stress storms : a cup overfloweth can shatter
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“every man’s got a breaking point”
~ ellis boyd redding
it can crush you to death - yet without it we would evaporate, ceasing to exist. it can be internal and external, in both mental and physical forms. call it a burden, a force, or good old fashioned pressure, stress is one of life’s interesting dichotomies
and it is unavoidable
physical stress can generally be quantified (via pounds, miles, etc) while mental stress cannot, making managing them a difficult challenge. add in their ability to accumulate, compound and transform over time - as does one’s capacity to weather those storms - it all becomes even more difficult to grasp and navigate. something that might seem small, trivial or even desirable to others may very well be the final drop that causes your cup to overflow or shatter
like other conflicts, stress storms have traditionally been mishandled with the same endless loop of labeling, compartmentalizing, and blame-game that fuels perpetual talk and treatment. while this status quo sounds complex and intellectual, it rarely delivers anything tangible in the present . . .
the american psychiatric association (apa) publishes the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (dsm-5-tr). it does not list stress as a diagnosable mental disorder. instead, stress is only addressed inside the trauma- and stressor-related disorders chapter — dozens of pages of posttraumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, adjustment disorders, and more. every symptom, duration, and impairment level gets its own checklist
the world health organization (who) in the icd-11 groups conditions triggered by stress under “disorders specifically associated with stress.” like so many other conflicts, it views stress as multi-factorial with no absolute certainties
even the oxford english dictionary describes stress as mental or emotional strain placed on or experienced by a person as a result of adverse or demanding circumstances, especially the pressures of or problems in one’s life or work. it frames it as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from such factors, which can manifest as extreme worry, sadness, or pain, often involving demands on physical or mental energy
the traditional approach seems far more interested in complicating the discussion of stress than in calming the storm. perhaps the energy we put into labeling or screaming at the rain can be better directed — recognizing the patterns sooner, avoiding unnecessary downpours, and choosing how much importance we give any single drop
the codex casts aside all the noise, and asks you to focus on three elements - a compass, totem and chain
when viewed through the lens of the codex, many issues, problems or troubling thoughts may just appear a little lighter than originally believed. it asks questions - not to magically clear the storm, but to help you control how much of the rain you choose to pour into your cup
grim’s compass . . .
- is this stress truly life or death?
continuity totem . . .
- how is this pressure squeezing me - body, mind, or soul?
sacred chain . . .
- when did the storm start, and when did i last empty my cup?
the codex is not a book of answers. it does not promise clear skies, rainbows or a pot ‘o gold. it inspires questions - questions that can help illuminate a path to acceptance, alignment and authenticity
remember: “much like a glass, there is only so much stress anyone can hold. understanding how to control how much is poured in as well as how and when to pour some out, is vital to keeping your glass from overflowing or shattering” ~ grim