Take it slow greasy, you've got a long way to slide

You've heard it before, life is a marathon, not a sprint; or, as I often put it to my patients who are living lives without margin, "you have to do whatever it takes in the short term to last for the long run." Too many people fall into the trap of working at a frenetic pace as if every day of their lives were part of a final exam week. They cram more and more work and worry into a day that is limited by twenty four hours and then wonder why they have abdominal pain, headaches, anxiety, and insomnia. Step back, take a deep breath, and create an orderly world where there is time for four meals a day, sleep, and healthy pleasures like a brisk workout or a good read. It's not being selfish. It's doing what you need to do to fulfill such long term commitments as being a cherished school teacher, loving stay at home parent, reliable doorman, or indispensable auto mechanic. So the next time you find yourself living without physical, emotional, or spiritual margin, repeat this saying: "take it slow greasy, you've got a long way to slide."