<p>Hi, missypie. Been pretty much “off the grid” in my parents’ concrete and steel fortress, so have not been keeping up with the electronic world. But I have a couple of thoughts to add.</p>
<p>A couple of years ago, I was asked by my church to lead a women’s retreat on a book/DVD our Presbytery had in its resource center called Praying in Color. </p>
<p>[Praying</a> in Color | Sybil MacBeth - Drawing a New Path to God](<a href=“http://prayingincolor.com/]Praying”>http://prayingincolor.com/)</p>
<p>I found it interesting, and you may enjoy it. </p>
<p>The new pastor at the church is really into something called Centering Prayer:</p>
<p>[Centering</a> Prayer](<a href=“http://www.centeringprayer.com/]Centering”>http://www.centeringprayer.com/)</p>
<p>That said, I don’t incorporate either practice in my daily life. I consider myself a very religious/spiritual person, but I am also convinced that people are different and one size doesn’t fit all. Sometimes I think the current pastor is so focused on Centering Prayer, because it’s worked for her, that she thinks if everyone else just did it they would experience the same results she has. </p>
<p>S has been raving about a restaurant he’s dined at; how it’s the best place in town. H and I had never been so we went there yesterday. It was just okay. However, there is a different restaurant I think is the best place in town, but I am also sure S would not like it. I know his taste in food and he would not find it an enjoyable experience. So you need to find what works for YOU. </p>
<p>My grandmother told me a story about when she was a little girl. She was terrified of snakes and bugs and creepy crawly things. And her father decided she needed to understand them better, to help her get over her fear. Eventually she graduated in the early 1920s with a science degree from the University of California at Berkeley. </p>
<p>Since you are aware of what frequently causes stress in your work life (technology) I wonder if you can try to understand it better? Is there anyway you can schedule some time with an IT support person and work on understanding a piece of technology you struggle with before you have a deadline/crisis? Or self-guided tutorials you can do on your own which will train you on how to use it better?</p>
<p>I happen to work in IT and support some specific software. One of my jobs involves training. And I know one size doesn’t fit all. When I do one-on-one training, it’s pretty clear what the person wants/expects. Some just want the steps. Tell me how to do my job. I provide them with step by step instructions, and a list of who to call in case something unanticipated happens.</p>
<p>Other people want to understand the bigger picture. I try to help them with analogies so they can understand what is happening. I personally find it more helpful when trouble-shooting if I understand the bigger picture of the situation, but I am also aware not everyone wants that.</p>
<p>Other people want to make the software into something it’s not. They are jumping to the next thing, and want it to solve their next problem, instead of the problem it was designed to solve.</p>
<p>Our state just replaced their vehicle registration software. We just purchased a vehicle, so we had to experience the new software. What a mess! I’ve never seen so many stressed out people. I saw both employees and customers crying. It was absolutely terrible. Where H works they also just implemented a new software system. Several of his colleagues are really struggling. One is a dear neighbor and I have been going over to her house and helping her out. So I understand how stressful it can be, especially with deadlines and other stress on top of it.</p>
<p>The fact you are aware of what is typically causing the stress is really helpful. Hopefully you can find a solution which works for YOU.</p>