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Stressless (updated version)

 

Stress   (By Alice Carroll) original version

 

Stressless

Less stress

Brain retains less

Nerves attest

Gut protests

How did I get in such a mess?

 

Retrain the brain.

Stress positive things.

Smile, wave, or greet

Neighbors in the hall

Till it becomes natural.

 

Restrain the brain,

From dwelling on negative things.

Act as if the negatives don’t exist.

Don’t befriend people with negative views.

Don’t read negative news.

 

Guilt-ridden verbal attacks

Holds achieving nirvana back.

Accept limitations.

Make the most of a situation.

Focus on fun, enjoyment, note appreciation.

 

Make time spent together a pleasure.

Moments to treasure.

Live the moment.

Be a positive Pollyanna.

Not a negative Nora.

 

Breathe deeply.

Deeply breathe. 

Breathe in – Good vibes – rational.

Breathe out – Bad vibes – irrational.

Resilient, strong, tough, hardy, flexible

Relax, lessen standards, don’t expect perfection.

 

Breathe deeply.

Deeply breathe.

Less stress.   Success!

 

Stressless

(by Alice Carroll with edits)

 

Stressed?

Destress

 

Brain retains less

Nerves attest

Gut protests

How did I become such a mess?

 

Retrain the brain.

Focus on positive things.

Greet neighbors in the hall

Till it becomes natural.

 

Restrain the brain,

Don’t focus on negative things.

Avoid people with negative views.

Avoid negative news.

 

Accept limitations.

Make the most of situations.

Focus on fun, enjoyment, note appreciation.

Relax, lessen standards, don’t expect perfection.

 

Make time spent together a pleasure.

Moments to treasure.

Live the moment.

Be resilient, strong, tough, flexible

 

Breathe deeply.

Deeply breathe. 

Breathe in – Good vibes – rational.

Breathe out – Bad vibes – irrational.

 

Breathe deeply.

Deeply breathe.

Less stress.  Stressless.

Success!

 

 


 
 
 

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5 Comments


Hi Alice, with your permission I would like to post your poem on our social media pages as part of Parkinson's awarenss month, you can choose which version. There is no pressure but I'd be grateful if you could reply with a yes or a no.

 Thanks Ali

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Replying to

Yes! I would be honored.

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Just read this again


I think the change in title from stress to stressless said it all... You're in a better place..


Love the latest version

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Alison Blevins
Alison Blevins
Oct 31, 2024

I like both versions. I like the tightness of the revised one but my favourite lines are in the first one in verses four and five -

'guilt ridden verbal attacks, holds achieving Nirvana back' and 'be a positive Pollyana'

so I am torn. I wonder what promted you to come back to it?

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Alice Carroll
Alice Carroll
Oct 31, 2024
Replying to

Some poets did not get the reference to Pollyanna. Also as I read the poem aloud I felt that some lines were superfluous. I tried to give the poem a feel of deep breathing. inhale/exhale and positive/negative. Thanks for the comments. I value your opinion.

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