Stress stresses me out. Life is full of stress. Relationship stress. Work stress. Money stress. Even if you totally isolate yourself from the outside world, chances are that you would stress yourself out.

Part of me feels like it is a my responsibility not let my negative feelings disturb The Munch’s Chi. That being a parent means learning how to separate your turmoil from their innocent existence. Kind of like the thinking “you don’t bring your problems to the job.” But being a parent is not just a full time job, it is an all the time job, so can I really expect myself never to show my own emotional complexities. And if I do, am I sheltering her from understanding that I am person with feelings, and I too deserve empathy?

But at the same time, I know that I am impacted when I am around someone who is in a bad mood. It definitely makes me take on a bit of their strife. And it is not like I can explain to her what is going on, because she doesn’t even get when I try to tell her not to chew on the dog toy. Besides, doesn’t it always feel better to be around someone who is happy, because happiness is contagious? Maybe I am projecting, but I feel like she is sensitive to energies and being around joyfulness penetrates her cells in a positive way.

In my pre-baby days, when I was stressed I would shut myself off and retreat into my own inner insanity. Maybe I would dwell for a bit, cry, obsess a bit more, and then start the cycle all over again. But now that I have The Munch in my life, who finds looking at the ceiling hilarious, it is hard to hold onto my stress for very long.

(The Munch “stressed” out because her hands have transformed into bunnies)

PS I can’t stop thinking about the mommies in Japan. They must be so stressed about the safety and health of their babies. Please do what you can to send them love, positive energy, aid… anything you can give.
http://forjapanwithlove.com/