I have learned a few stress release tricks this week, nothing new, but it seems I have gone at them in a renewed energy.
One is quilting, which at times can produce stress, but for the most part, I can relax and enjoy seeing fabric turn into a completed pattern. I let the future bride of the grandson who is getting married in January pick out both fabric and the pattern.
She chose one that looked simple enough to put together. However, it was a lap-size quilt, so I had to use my brain to transform it into a queen-size quilt. I was thinking seven across and eight down, but now that I have all of the strips done, I see that is not quite large enough, so I added one more block on each strip, and one more strip. Part of the reason for that is there are no borders or sashing, only blocks.
The blocks are 12½-inch, made up of four 6½ blocks. Those four are made up three different ways, and sewn together in a certain manner. Now and then I would catch myself sewing them together incorrectly, and needed to get out the seam ripper. But now, with the goal of finishing the quilt, so the card table can be removed from the living room before Thanksgiving, I am simply sewing.
I have the strips laid out on the spare bed, and it is pretty, with all of the dark and bright colors she picked out. I added to the lot with fabric from my stash in the basement.
The reason I sewed it upstairs is that it is easy to sit down for a few minutes here and there and pick away at things. All of the cutting, pressing and sewing has taken place in my dining and living rooms. However, with Thanksgiving drawing close, it is time to clean away all the clutter that has accumulated.
Another stress release has been exercise, whether I get to sneak away to Total Fitness, or if I am pedaling my exercise bike, I seem to find a lot of release in the working of muscles and the beading of sweat. I haven’t been able to get to many of the classes at Total Fitness that I usually attend, and I am missing seeing everyone, but working out on my own works if it has to.
Finding peace when I read the Bible or go to Bible study is so important to me at all times, but especially when someone I love is injured and struggling. Right now in Bible study we are studying the book of Acts. It is inspiring to see how the first Christians struggled and suffered for their faith.
It amazes me that no matter how many times I read a certain part of the Bible, I always get a new insight each time I read and think on a passage. Right now I am remembering Matthew 6:34; “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I believe that is true for me no matter what is going on, yet I forget, and fuss and fret.
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