Stop And Take A Deep Breath

Ole Blue Boy, the faithful canine companion of the farmer, was enjoying a peaceful afternoon nap on the front porch of the farmhouse. The warm sun was shining down on his soft fur, and he was snuggled up against his favorite bone, dreaming of chasing rabbits in the fields.

Suddenly, he was jolted awake by the sound of tiny paws pounding against the ground. Little Boo and the other puppies came barreling around the corner, their tails wagging frantically and their tongues lolling out of their mouths in excitement.

As they tumbled to a stop in front of Ole Blue Boy, Boo's high-pitched yelp cut through the air, "Whatever are we going to do? The coyotes are coming! Run for your life!"

Ole Blue Boy's ears perked up at the mention of coyotes. He knew all too well the dangers that these wild creatures posed to the farm animals. His eyes darted around, trying to spot any signs of danger.

Without hesitation, the puppies took off toward the barn to warn the other animals of the impending danger. Ole Blue Boy let out a low growl, warning the coyotes that he and the other farm animals were ready to defend their home against any threat.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, the farm was alive with the sounds of animals scurrying to safety. The cows and horses huddled together in the safety of the barn, while the chickens and ducks sought refuge in their coops.

Ole Blue Boy stood guard at the edge of the farm, his keen senses on high alert for any sign of danger. He knew that he had an important job to do, protecting his family and the other animals from the dangers that lurked in the shadows.

As the sun rose on a new day, Ole Blue Boy and the other animals breathed a sigh of relief. They had weathered the storm and emerged stronger than ever before. And they knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, as a family. But in the end, the coyotes never came. Little Boo had been mistaken. 

Poor Little Boo! If only she had stopped to think, she wouldn't have caused such utter chaos at the farm. But that's the way it is with puppies: they go full force with the emotion of the moment, even if it is illogical.

Unfortunately, we often tend to do the same ourselves. How many times have you seen a group of people in utter chaos over something that turns out to be insignificant?

As an example, take the media. They try to do this to us all the time, just for ratings. If something horrific happens somewhere, that night on the local news there's always a segment about, "Can it happen here?"

They try to get everyone riled up and, unfortunately, many people simply let themselves be manipulated. Rather than stopping to find the truth, they find themselves panicking over a situation they really know nothing about.

If you're wise, though, you'll take time to stop, think, and seek the truth. A calm mind is critical when everyone else seems to be losing theirs! 

But how do you stay calm and collected, especially in stressful situations? The first thing to do is to stop and take a deep breath. This action relaxes your muscles, sends some extra oxygen to your brain for clarity in thinking, and gives you a moment to consider your options. Focus on separating the facts from the hearsay. Once you've clarified the real problem, you can seek an appropriate solution.

Now, isn't that much wiser than simply running to and fro in a panic? Things always turn out better when you take a moment to think before acting.

Tom