When I was going through some old papers I came across this excerpt:
The Stress-hardy Personality
Psychologist Suzanne Kobasa and her colleagues studied people in high-stress occupations and looked for traits distinguishing the ones resistant to stress. The psychologists found that these stress-hardy individuals had a sense of purpose and meaningfulness in their work, family, and social insititutions. They’re clear about their values and priorities, which give them a sense of perspective and an ability to make accurate judgments and to resolve problems. They are connected to people. They know they can trust the other people in their lives and that other people are depending upon them. They also believe, within reason, that they can influence the course of events. What they do makes a difference. They are flexible and able to incorporate unexpected events into an ongoing life plan. They also look upon change as a challenge and opportunity for personal growth, rather than just as a threat to their security. They are resourceful and know where to go for help. They don’t run away from problems but instead become involved in gathering information and looking for solutions.
I think it was from Herbert Benson’s The Wellness Book: The Comprehensive Guide to Maintaining Health and Treating Stress-Related Illness, but I don’t remember. It was from about 25 years ago when I was teaching classes and leading groups in stress-hardiness, emotional aikido, dealing with difficult people, etc.
I was going to write a post about stress-hardiness, but instead I got involved in the problem of how to scan the excerpt and convert it to text. My old OCR (optical character recognition) program stopped working for the Mac a couple of years ago, and I couldn’t find something easy to replace it. So I poked around at the time and found an iPad OCR app that often works.
It worked perfectly today… no mistakes, so I mailed the results to myself from the iPad and copied and pasted it to here. It may not have been quicker than just typing it in myself, but it was more interesting…plus I refreshed my memory and learned more about the tools available now.
The interesting thing is I can’t find that app again in the store, so I downloaded a different one to try in the fullness of time. I like to plan ahead and have the tools I need when problems come up. I’m also looking into easy-to-use programs for my Mac that will covert bits of a screenshot or pdf to text. My old one worked well and I miss it.
Blessed are those who are easily distracted…. How did your day go?
May 17, 2020
I have had a completely lazy day…finished one book and think I have settled on another. But there is another one itching to be read, too. What I would have give to have even a fourth of these books available when I was kid.
We had a scarcity of books in our house when I grew up, so I agree wholeheartedly.
my day is going beautifully! Michael got back home safe and sound.
and last week I did my taxes on the free IRS turbo tax intuit program.
I’ve always done them by hand. they’re super easy. but they don’t want that. they WANT them done electronically. “I give up!” but now I’m so glad I did. all the time I fought it… just wasted time really. nothing to pay and no refund. and all my info is saved for next year. it’s a good feeling.
Where did he go? I didn’t even know he was gone.
That’s great about TurboTax. 🙂
My day was mixed, actually started the shopping list for the grocery store in bed last night, couldn’t sleep
Morning: created and paid for groceries, but there isn’t actually a lot of food stuffs, more kitchen related containers I’m short of…and a variety of other oddball items. Not sure what will arrive tomorrow. The only thing I couldn’t access was actual YEAST – then finished up the last project from the little booklet – made a banana loaf as the bananas inhouse were threatening to leave home. Four came last week instead of what was usually 2. – emails back/forwards with Hilary to do with that post from yesterday, as I thought Hilary might be interested and I could flick the f/b link to her on messenger.
It was around early afternoon, when I realised I hadn’t had lunch, as I was still deciding on buying a new knife online, but T has suggested wait and go to House of Knives for some personal help.
So I ate lunch somewhere close to 1pm…and realised that was my usual time to go off walking. But whilst I was getting ready to go, decided I was a tad bushed so lay down on said bed!
oops woke up after 3pm…decided not to go walking today!!!
So took photos of completed projects – and make a post over at w/press…along with various other places on f/b
And it seemed to be time to fix up some dinner…and it was the very last of the curry mixture that I made a vegetable casserole with and put some in the freezer…but all is not lost, as I’ve ordered some spices to create more!
And I’ve decided I may also have “avoidance syndrome” that since the w/end when there were a whole lot less people around when I was catching the bus…but realised that the Friday overdose is to be “avoided”
Now it’s not just the “won’t do just yet”: hair but also the better knife need…
That was quite a day! No boredom where you are. 🙂
I had a crazy day yesterday with work then came home and mowed. I finished it off by visiting my son and his family for a bit and then back home to plop in front of the tv
I worry about you working too hard! Take care. 🙂
this is really interesting and something i have not tried, since i never really had a need. like you I love finding new techie stuff to do or learn… each time i get a phone or tablet or laptop or desktop, i am not happy until i find all the things it will do.. now they come with apps to do anything. thanks for sharing this.
my days are all the same, it it like I am living in groundhog day.. each day a carbon copy of the other, except i get to go for an hour of shopping each tuesday… tomorrow I fare forth into virus land
We go forth every four days, but we wear our masks and almost everyone else in the store does too. Plus they limit the number of people who can be inside at one time. That makes me happy.