In today's society stress is more prevalent than ever. It's not that it never existed before now, however, with all of our modern conveniences, life seems to have become more difficult. With commitments to job and home, we are not encouraged to take "down time" - not when we can be reached via e-mail, cell phones or a myriad of other technical devices. We see talk shows and read books; we hear radio shows and attend workshops all to help us manage our stress levels. Just trying to choose a method of dealing with stress can become stressful! There are always so many opportunities and obligations pulling us in different directions, that sometimes it's difficult to know which way to turn.

The goal is not to eliminate stress entirely, but to learn how to manage it and use it to our advantage. Stress can add anticipation and excitement to life - it can help us to know ourselves better. If we use it to our benefit, stress can even become an avenue for growth. The key is to learn how to effectively manage the stress so that it can be a positive motivational factor rather than a negative one.