Stress vs. Tension   

There is an important distinction to be made between STRESS and TENSION.  We’ve already covered stress pretty well, so now a brief discussion of Tension. 

Tension is an integral part of life- it is a built-in growth mechanism we all have- a yearning to do it all and have it all, but a reality that we have to make choices in life.   Often the choice is not black and white between good and bad.  We often have to choose between good, better and best and find ways to balance it all. 

The feeling of having more to do than time to do it in is a good thing- it’s a sign that you’re living a full and active life.  Sometimes that can feel like stress, but it’s qualitatively different.  It’s a positive tension caused by having to make choices between good things. 

If you feel postitive tension in your life- you should welcome it and get used to it- because it will be with you FOREVER if you plan to create rather than react through life and if you plan to create and progress eternally beyond this life. 

On the other hand if your idea of “heaven” is to float around on a cloud and play the harp or sing in a heavenly choir of angels for eternity, then maybe you don’t have to get used to the concept of tension.  However, if you give it much thought, I think you’ll agree that having NO TENSION sounds like a REALLY DULL EXISTENCE- both here on earth and in the eternities. 

While tension is positive and progressive, stress is negative and stifling which is why it has such a negative effect on our bodies, emotions and minds. Our objective then is to learn how to eliminate negative stress while living a life full of positive tension. 

John Groberg writes on a wide variety of topics related to personal and spiritual growth.  His slogan is Grow. By Choice™.  His articles draw out principles of personal and spiritual growth common to the world’s ancient wisdom and spiritual texts as well as many of the great philosophers, poets, and writers of ancient and modern times.   These principles are then put to the test in his own life with an emphasis on simple, sustainable practices we can apply in our daily lives to more effectively deal with the stresses and struggles of modern life and to more fully realize the benefits of deliberate growth.   John developed a model called the Divine-Align-Shine model as a way of visually organizing the principles, practices and the overall process of personal and spiritual growth.   His writings are cataloged and organized on his website, www.johngroberg.com where contact information is available.