Beechworth Bakery’s preferred charity is Lifeline. We have the Lifeline number on our bags and we promote their annual Stress Down Day fundraiser. I always give Lifeline a plug in my talks. We do support other charities, but Lifeline is our number one.
Why did we choose Lifeline? Well, at age 32, my wife left me to raise our two little girls, age 2 and 5. I was not coping with the situation at all. We had just bought the rundown bakery in Beechworth and I was stressed to the max. I was quite suicidal…
A good friend made me promise to ring Lifeline, and I did what I was told for once. It was one of the best things I’ve ever done. After the phone call, I got counselling with Lifeline in Albury. They helped me in so many areas of my life. They gave me so many skills. One of the best was to ask for help. If you need help, you need to ask. It sounds easy, but often it isn’t.
I used to be a great worrier. I would get stressed out over any little thing. Then I’d get angry. Then I would stuff up. I’d get caught up in dramas, and then I felt I had to share all my worries with the people around me. Then they’d get caught up in the dramas.
With Lifeline’s help, I learned it doesn’t help anyone to dwell on the negatives. It’s hard to imagine anything less effective than having the whole workplace upset, irritated, and stressed out.
Lifeline pointed out to me that most of what we stress or worry about never happens anyway. So I made a decision to stop worrying.
I have learnt that focusing on your problems is one of the best ways of keeping them alive. Instead, focus on solutions. Have an attitude of gratitude. If I’m grateful, I have energy and I’m happy. If I’m ungrateful, I’m unhappy and I’ve got no energy or enthusiasm. It’s pretty simple.
Since I asked for help all those years ago, my life has just gotten better and better. I’m very grateful that Lifeline was there for me.