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SungNam Kim

Hello Everyone, This is Chaplain Sung Kim. I am Deputy CMD CH in the 63d Readiness Division. I pray you are well.

Now that the gifts under the tree are unwrapped and our families are returning home and the decorations are coming down, we are confronted with normal, everyday life again. The glitz and glitter of the holidays can stir something awake in us; perhaps something that is normally veiled behind the daily concerns, deadlines, and “urgent” projects we are faced with.

The beauty of the holidays is that they liberate us to be alive again, they call us out to embrace our place in the journey, they heighten our awareness of the more and better life, and they let us know the deeper realities of life. And we come to realize all the time we spend spinning our wheels and keeping busy doesn’t matter nearly as much as we convince ourselves it does. During the holidays, we are drawn back to the most important things: our relationship with God based on your faith, our families, and others.

It’s so easy to lose sight of what really matters in this life. It’s easy to bury ourselves in our work or in other activities that preoccupy us and miss out on the beauty of the life right in front of us. We live our lives teetering on the edge of burnout, stressed to the max by our work and family schedules, but when do we take time to slow down and reflect? When do we create space for moments with God based on your faith and the people most precious to us? What ever happened to surprises and spontaneity? These things seem to have been lost to us. Even the holidays have become more a season of busyness and rushing, than a season of reflection and rest. We often bypass the sacred moments of this season in favor of spending a few more hours shopping, looking for the best deals.

In just a few days, we will journey into a new year. Who knows what this year holds for any of us? Here are some tips for reducing stress after holidays.

The holidays can bring up added stress in the areas of finances, time, travel, and family–and once the holidays are over, that stress may continue to grow under the weight of life’s everyday demands.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

This verse is among the favorites of those going through dark nights of the soul where they or someone they love is going through a debilitating disease or facing financial ruin. All things are according to His purpose and God assures us that “all things work together for good.

Here are a few tips for shaking off the stress and anxiety you may have picked up during the holiday season: 

  • Meditate. Quieting the mind and relaxing the body is goal of meditation. Even as little as one minute of mediation can be beneficial.
  • Put down your devices. For a more restorative night of sleep, avoid using devices like iPhones, iPads, and laptop two hours before going to bed.
  • Take walks. Sitting for long periods can lead to low energy, but getting up and walking around (even just for a few minutes) can help boost your energy and problem-solving levels. 
  • Get outside. Take 15 minutes during lunch to go outside and get some sun. Getting outside -- even on cloudy winter days
  • Get to bed early. Sleep deprivation can impact our body's de-stressing ability, memory compiling, and hormone cycling functions. Try to get to bed early -- no later than 10:00 PM.

Today’s prayer: Lord, I come to you in this brand new year with a desire to move forward, not backward. You gave everything for me, so I could have a new beginning—every day of every year. Thank You for Your underserved favor and unlimited mercy—and Your grace, that keeps on giving.

Have a blessed day! Blood and Fire!

 

Here is the direct email and phone number for anyone requesting support

From the 63d RD Chaplain office,

usarmy.usarc.63-rsc.list.chaplain-all-users@mail.mil

650-526-9668