The stress has now reached its maximum level. This is officially the last day I will be practicing for the ICC cheer and after such a long routine of practicing; I find it impossible to think it's over. The past week has been a series of nonstop activities, which might seem, as something good at first, but it is defintely very exhausting. Not only having to deal with endless cheer practices every day of the week, but also having to go through the 6pm traffic jam back home, which we all know are massive. Finally arriving and settling home around 8:30pm, I realize the huge amount of homework I have due for tomorrow; rushing through every assignment I am able to complete it around 11 pm. By this time, I am all set to go to sleep, but as soon as I hit the sheets, my eyes simply don’t want to close. The stress has officially gotten out of hand.
Throughout the various scenarios of stress in my week, I would ask myself: Why is my life so complicated? Why does everything and everybody have to get in my way? Having these thoughts jump infornt of me, I began blaming those in my surrounding, putting all of my frustration and stress on them. This frustration does not only involve the cheer, my family members also play a big role in my week; coming back home late and exhausted brought a bitter attitude, which tended to push them away. I didn't quite realize how I was acting at first, I guess it was the lack of time I had to actually sit down and have a chat with my parents or brothers. Now knowing what a drastic change my personality resembled throughout the week, I am aware that being "too busy" is not necessarily an excuse to shut off family, not matter how stressed you might be.
Another example that demonstrates how I let the feeling of being drained get to me, was as I mentioned earlier, the long car rides back home. As most may know, I live pretty far away from school and the traffic drama I experience everyday are inexplicable. Well, this week I was able to point out a specific attitude towards non- moving vehicles, and how it affected my thoughts and actions. As I began my regular routine heading home, I realize that the 6pm traffic jam is even more dense than usual; I sit back in my chair and whine the entire ride. I was so annoyed by the fact of not getting home that I simply began blaming others in their cars for creating such a massive congestion, this was obviously an irrelevant action. Finally, as the traffic began to level down, I notice a crushed car being surrounded by police officers and ambulances; an accident had occurred. It was then when I realized how selfish I had been acting, being so concerned of getting home, it didn’t even occur to me that someone had to be facing a terrible car accident. Being knowledgeable of what had happen, I knew I couldn’t let the fact of being stress or tired have an influence on my actions, no matter what the circumstances are.
After reflecting upon my week, I was able to relate this experience to something I had heard in the past, the speech "This is Water" by David Foster Wallace. This article actually allowed me to realize the constant pattern of releasing all my stress by blaming it on others, which is clearly not the solution. In his speech he tells us about a personal experience where he is encountered with much frustration, acting selfish and annoyed by others. Through this, he explains how many people see themselves as the only fish in the water, not caring or minding those around us.
Even though this past week has been complete chaos, I was able to learn a valuable lesson and point out certain failures from the experience. It has taught that many days or weeks of stress will soon come along, but it is up to us on how we choose to handle the situation.
Throughout the various scenarios of stress in my week, I would ask myself: Why is my life so complicated? Why does everything and everybody have to get in my way? Having these thoughts jump infornt of me, I began blaming those in my surrounding, putting all of my frustration and stress on them. This frustration does not only involve the cheer, my family members also play a big role in my week; coming back home late and exhausted brought a bitter attitude, which tended to push them away. I didn't quite realize how I was acting at first, I guess it was the lack of time I had to actually sit down and have a chat with my parents or brothers. Now knowing what a drastic change my personality resembled throughout the week, I am aware that being "too busy" is not necessarily an excuse to shut off family, not matter how stressed you might be.
Another example that demonstrates how I let the feeling of being drained get to me, was as I mentioned earlier, the long car rides back home. As most may know, I live pretty far away from school and the traffic drama I experience everyday are inexplicable. Well, this week I was able to point out a specific attitude towards non- moving vehicles, and how it affected my thoughts and actions. As I began my regular routine heading home, I realize that the 6pm traffic jam is even more dense than usual; I sit back in my chair and whine the entire ride. I was so annoyed by the fact of not getting home that I simply began blaming others in their cars for creating such a massive congestion, this was obviously an irrelevant action. Finally, as the traffic began to level down, I notice a crushed car being surrounded by police officers and ambulances; an accident had occurred. It was then when I realized how selfish I had been acting, being so concerned of getting home, it didn’t even occur to me that someone had to be facing a terrible car accident. Being knowledgeable of what had happen, I knew I couldn’t let the fact of being stress or tired have an influence on my actions, no matter what the circumstances are.
After reflecting upon my week, I was able to relate this experience to something I had heard in the past, the speech "This is Water" by David Foster Wallace. This article actually allowed me to realize the constant pattern of releasing all my stress by blaming it on others, which is clearly not the solution. In his speech he tells us about a personal experience where he is encountered with much frustration, acting selfish and annoyed by others. Through this, he explains how many people see themselves as the only fish in the water, not caring or minding those around us.
Even though this past week has been complete chaos, I was able to learn a valuable lesson and point out certain failures from the experience. It has taught that many days or weeks of stress will soon come along, but it is up to us on how we choose to handle the situation.