Queen of the Stress Hives

On my high school cross-country team there was a year where we joked that our team sweatshirt/sweatpants combo made us look like bumble bees.  My name being Becca and as I was captain at the time, a friend of mine joked that I was the "Queen Bee"...I never imagined the hives I would reign over.  This past Monday I woke up in a full-blown attack of stress hives.  Yes, finals week is upon us here at BYU!

"Stress hives are caused by too much stress or tension in your life. When you expose your body to excessive stress, whether it be over a short period of time or a long period of time, your body's immune system starts to falter. When your immune system is off kilter, it starts sending histamine into the body to fight off what is ailing you - stress. In essence, your body forms an allergic reaction to stress. Unfortunately, stress can not be eliminated with histamine, so instead the histamine causes hives to appear on your body."  Yep.  That's me...I'm now allergic to myself! haha

This is really a unique opportunity.  In order to endure the present I have to think stress-less thoughts.  I have to take care of my body in a very moderate and careful way.  And I have to learn to rethink what are really the most important things in my life, or else my current approach is going to kill me!

The timing of my trip to Alaska cannot be better timed.  I really love my life.  I love all that I have learned and I love the direction I am going.  However, I want to make some real course corrections for how I live my daily life.  I do live with chronic stress.  I have had many outside challenges, but there have also been a lot of internal ones as well:  I'm a chronic perfectionist who worries too much!  I hope this chance to be in the magical town of Skagway with a summer full of opportunities for adventuring all over the Alaskan and Canadian countryside will prove very healing.  And as I will be with my wonderful David, I know it will be.  :)

Alaska.

Can you BELIEVE it?! I am going to Alaska!!! This will be a summer adventure I will never forget. You know that feeling when you are right on the precipice? You are right on the verge of something. On the edge of the cliff. You know something GREAT is out there. You can't see it, but you can feel it. You're almost scared of it...but somehow, you know it's out there and that it's up to you to take the leap of faith. To jump. And then dive into that unknown with arms open wide. Because either one of two things will happen: you will fall, and there is always someone there to catch you, or you will fly. Between the two, I believe with all my heart that I am about to sprout wings!!! :)

The Journey

May the journey be merry,

though the road may be long.

May the load that you carry

pass away with this song.

May your dreams lie before you.

May your nightmares have end.

May Beauty surround you

and Love be your closest Friend.

May all this dark world be lighted on your way.

Know it shines for you, Love, for all you do and say.

The darkness will die

because you have The Light.

So into darkness you must ride;

On, to end this night.

So be courageous, strong, and unafraid:

I am ever at your side.

And when your heart starts to fail you,

Remember, I've already won your fight.

-a poem by moi-