Unfortunately, I find people more willing to joke about stress
than do
something about it. Instead of eating and drinking correctly, one
person said, "Booze is great stuff. It makes you see double and feel
single." And Ed Hearn, who was on the New York Mets World Series team,
says, "A waist is a terrible thing to mind. "Some people even joke about their unhealthy lifestyle. As my
sister-in-law quips, "I read this article that said the typical symptoms of
stress are eating too much, impulse buying, and driving too fast. Are they
kidding? That's my idea of a perfect day."
Deep down, stress is not funny, however. It destroys your peace of
mind. It hurts your health, endangers your relationships, and lowers your
productivity. Recent research says you have to deal with all 8 aspects
of stress ... if you're going to have an effective and balanced life.
You have to do more than merely focus on one aspect of stress -- such as
"job stress". You have to manage stress in all 8 aspects of life:
Physical, Recreational, Financial, Occupational, Relational, Mental,
Emotional, and Spiritual. The following books are chuck full of great
advice for handling stress by creating inner peace.
The Artist's Way at Work: Riding the Dragon: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron (New York: J.P. Tarcher, 10th edition, 2002). Bestselling book guides the reader through 12
weeks of reflections and exercises designed to open up the paths to
creativity. You don't need to be an artist to benefit from this book. Cameron
recommends a daily practice of morning pages, a free-from writing exercise,
which can also serve as a spiritual practice.
The Best Things in Life Aren't Things: Celebrating What Matters Mostby Joann
Davis (Boston: Beacon Press, 2003). This collection of short essays takes the
reader on an inner journey to reflect on what's most important in life. The
author examines America's predilection toward a lifestyle of excessive
consumption and offers inspirational antidotes and alternatives.
How To Want What You HaveDiscovering the Magic and Grandeur of Ordinary
Existence by Timothy Miller, Ph.D. (New York: Avon, 1996). Clinical
psychologist explores the human tendency to always want more and the lack of
connection between material wealth and happiness. Offers an alternative path
to happiness, based on the practices of compassion, attention, and gratitude.
Lilabean: A Story of Simplicity for Grown-up Girls by K.C. White (Elizabeth
City, NC: Bean Pot Press, 2002). A delightful storybook written in verse
detailing one woman's evolution from being overwhelmed with clutter and not
enough time to creating a life of simplicity and joy. This book would be a
great gift for a woman friend who is simplifying her life.
Ordinary People as Monks and Mystics: Lifestyles for Self-Discovery by Marsha Sinetar (New York: Paulist Press, 1986). Presents real life stories of people
who have explored their inner selves as part of the process of becoming whole.
While the book does not focus specifically on voluntary simplicity, most of
the people featured live simply.
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach (New
York: Warner, 1995). Bestselling book of short essays written for women.
Explores themes such as harmony, gratitude, authentic creative expression, and
spirituality.
To Have or To Be? by Erich Fromm (New York: Continuum, Reissued 1996). Author
of The Art of Loving explores the differences between the having mode, based
on our relationship to things, and the being mode, based on our relationship
to other people, the earth, and ourselves.
Wherever You Go There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn (New York: Hyperion, 1994). Explores practice of meditation in
depth. Offers guidelines for cultivating practice of mindfulness.
: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron (New York: J.P. Tarcher, 10th edition, 2002). Bestselling book guides the reader through 12
weeks of reflections and exercises designed to open up the paths to
creativity. You don't need to be an artist to benefit from this book. Cameron
recommends a daily practice of morning pages, a free-from writing exercise,
which can also serve as a spiritual practice. 
by Joann
Davis (Boston: Beacon Press, 2003). This collection of short essays takes the
reader on an inner journey to reflect on what's most important in life. The
author examines America's predilection toward a lifestyle of excessive
consumption and offers inspirational antidotes and alternatives. 
Discovering the Magic and Grandeur of Ordinary
Existence by Timothy Miller, Ph.D. (New York: Avon, 1996). Clinical
psychologist explores the human tendency to always want more and the lack of
connection between material wealth and happiness. Offers an alternative path
to happiness, based on the practices of compassion, attention, and gratitude.
by Elaine St.
James (New York: Hyperion, 1995). Short essays of a how-to nature focusing on
the inner life of simplicity. 
