Stop! Damn It!

Yesterday I wrote about stress being one of the top killers.  Not six hours after publishing, I talked to a friend of  23+ years that I’ve been playing phone tag with for a few weeks.  Well, he got his wake up call, epiphany, see the light moment, or whatever you want to call it.  The dreaded severe chest pains hit him.  The specialists ran all the tests, and he had an angiogram.  There was a minor blockage of less than 30% in one artery and none in the others.  Every other test came back normal too.  Let me be a smartass for a second.  Can you guess what the diagnosis was for the chest pains, STRESS!

As we talked, I could hear the difference in his tone and delivery.  This event got his attention, as it should.  The first thing he did was tell the company owner (he used to be the owner and sold out for a healthy payday) that he was cutting back on work and the hours he put in.  Number 2 was join golf league, and number three was spending more time in his plane.  He loves to play golf and fly, as those are his stress relievers; however, they are not worth two shits if you do not use them.

Stress will wreck your life.  I’ve learned over the years that I ended up in many stressful situations by choice.  I worked a lot because I was chasing the money.  I stayed in unhealthy relationships, romantic and friendships, because I thought things would change, and getting spun up over situations that really do not matter.  Why do you think I write so much about Harley therapy, Johnny time, Tristen time, and other events?  I’m not bragging at all.  I’m trying to get the point across to everyone on how important it is to keep balance in all parts of life. 

To my friends and loved ones that work so damn much, STOP!  To my friends and loved ones that will not slow down, STOP!  To anyone reading this message right now, STOP!  Yes, I’m being selfish.  I do not want to get that call telling me the time and place for your funeral.