The President's Message 4/21/25

“Stress is basically a disconnection from the earth, a forgetting of the breath. Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. Nothing is that important. Just lie down.” - Natalie Goldberg

In today’s fast-paced world, stress thrives on the illusion of urgency. It convinces us that everything is an emergency—that every email must be answered immediately, every decision must be made now, and every problem must be solved without delay. We live in a constant state of reaction, always feeling one step behind, always trying to catch up. Over time, this sense of urgency drains our energy, leaving us exhausted, anxious, and disconnected from the present moment. But what if much of this urgency is an illusion? What if, instead of speeding up, the real solution is to slow down?

Imagine this: You wake up to a flood of notifications on your phone—emails, texts, news alerts—all demanding your attention. Before you’ve even gotten out of bed, your heart is already racing. Your mind jumps ahead to everything you need to do, and the stress sets in before the day has even begun. But then, you take a deep breath. You remind yourself that not everything requires an immediate response. Instead of diving straight into the chaos, you take a moment to stretch, sip your coffee, and set an intention for the day. In that simple act of slowing down, you take control of your energy rather than letting stress dictate your pace.

Stress has a way of tricking us into believing that we must always be productive, always be available, and always be pushing forward. It convinces us that rest is a luxury we cannot afford and that slowing down is a sign of laziness or failure.

But this mindset is not sustainable. Our bodies and minds are not designed to be in a constant state of high alert. When we operate from a place of urgency, we lose sight of what truly matters. We make decisions out of fear rather than wisdom, and we miss the opportunity to engage with life in a meaningful way.

Science backs this up. Research shows that chronic stress keeps our nervous system in a constant state of fight-or-flight, which can lead to burnout, anxiety, and even physical health issues like high blood pressure. Slowing down activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps the body relax, digest, and heal. Even simple practices like deep breathing, stretching, or taking a short walk can reset our stress response and improve focus.

One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to combat stress is to reconnect with stillness. This can be as simple as taking a deep breath before responding to a stressful situation, stepping outside for fresh air, or pausing for a moment of gratitude. These small acts remind us that we are not machines—that we are allowed to rest, to reflect, and to exist without constantly performing. When we slow down, we give ourselves the chance to see things more clearly. We recognize that not every problem requires an immediate solution, and not every demand is as urgent as it seems.

Reframing our mindset around urgency also means learning to set boundaries. Often, stress is amplified by the pressure to be constantly available—to answer messages immediately, to say yes to every request, to overextend ourselves in an attempt to meet unrealistic expectations. But setting boundaries is not selfish; it is necessary for our well-being. We must learn to say no to things that drain us, to prioritize what truly matters, and to trust that the world will not fall apart if we take a step back.

Try this mindfulness exercise: The next time you feel overwhelmed by urgency, pause for a moment and take five deep breaths. As you inhale, count to four. Hold your breath for four seconds, then exhale for four seconds. Repeat this process. This simple breathing exercise can slow your heart rate, clear your mind, and remind you that not everything is as urgent as it seems.

This month, challenge yourself to slow down. The next time stress tells you that something is urgent, take a moment to pause and ask yourself: Is this truly an emergency, or am I creating unnecessary pressure? Practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, guided meditation, or simply lying down and allowing your body to relax. Remind yourself that rest is not a luxury—it is essential. You deserve to move through life with intention, presence, and peace. The world will keep turning, even if you take a break. Let yourself breathe. Let yourself rest. Let yourself be.