STRESS FRIEND OR FOE

Stress is said to be a real killer, as I and millions others can attest to. I have endured the stress of being a working woman in what is known as a man's world. Maintaining self respect as well as earning respect, which was always due me, has proven to be stressful. I worked with NYC Police Department in a civilian capacity, which in itself meant, to the uniform personnel, that respect was not due. I for over eighteen years had maintained my self respect as well as maintained a respectful working relationship with my peers, which was not always easy.

I endured much stress from being in a lasting marriage of 32 years. Much have occurred in my relationship. Being a friend have been a major key to my marital success. I consider my marriage a success because I still love, respect and admire my husband and he shows and tells me how much he adores me. My husband is a tough guy from the streets of New York City where as I was a good girl raised higher middle class with all the perks that goes along with that such as, Music lessons, dance classes, theater, fine dinning. We were so different yet our attraction was powerful and lasting. Our relationship started out with conversation only, in fact I thought at one time he may be gay. Since I was such an attractive young woman and he didn't seem to be pushing in the direction of physical intimacy, my shallow opinion of men surely proved that he must be gay, he couldn't possible resist me! (smile, chuckle, chuckle) I found him so interesting that it really didn't matter what his sexual preferences were, I enjoyed being with him. He knew much about politics, sports, poetry and Hollywood and most of all women. I had never met any person, yet alone any man like him before nor after. He filled every desire I had ever had as well as opened to me desires I hadn't even known. I don't kiss and tell, so I won't. Any who, I was speaking of stress wasn't I? Throughout our lives we have endured family disputes over child rearing, we have dealt with step family issues, which could be discussed forever. We have endured long periods of sickness, grief and bewilderment. We have fell in and out of love many times over and yet managed to return to the same spot again and again "respect, friendship, admiration and trust". Bottom line we know what stress is. Stress, in my case, have given me the opportunity to be refined and actually see what I am made of. My finding is "I am gold" proofed by fire. So when I feel stress and pressure of life coming upon me, I think of a smelting pot where gold is refined and then I have complete confidence and hope that through whatever comes, success will follow.

So view stress as friend rather than foe and see what gold lies underneath.