Stress is a weird thing, don’t you think? I mean the way it presents itself can be so insidious. During my waking hours, I think I deal with it pretty well – the meltdown the other evening after arriving home after an hour in the dentist’s chair only to find the trash cans still at the curb, the dishwasher filled with the clean dishes and the sink filled with dirty ones, aside. But, the nights are a different story. As a matter of fact, the nights are what landed me in the dentist’s chair to begin with.
I’ve been grinding my teeth – intensely enough for me to find myself waking up with headaches. The waking up can be painful, particularly when it occurs at 4:00 a.m. I’ve been doing a number on my teeth and was at the dentist to have a small old filling replaced as well as getting fit for a nighttime mouth guard. That’s hot, huh?
When I find myself in times of trouble, I do my best to get as much time outdoors as possible. Fresh air really helps, whether I’m running or walking or even just sitting still. Maybe you do the same?
The other thing I find myself doing is reaching into my jewelry box for a medallion I received many years ago from one of my aunts, Sister Maria Pia. She’s my mother’s youngest sister and, along with two of my Opa’s now deceased sisters, she is a Roman Catholic nun. The medallion I wear is of the Virgin Mary and was purchased in Lourdes, France. While I don’t consider myself to be incredibly religious, there’s something about Mary that I find comforting and inspiring. When she’s around my neck, I somehow feel safer.
Do you have a talisman?
DelSo 
The thumb ring I have worn since I divorced. Definitely.