By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
This is not a post about ways to remove the chaos and stress from of your life. Neither am I offering an instructional guide to eliminating stress by getting organized, exercising more, eating nutritionally sound, praying more, learning to say no, journaling your feelings, seeking counseling, taking prescription meds, or exploring the many ways to reduce stress. There are plenty of those books and articles out there, and if you are suffering from stress, then take advantage of the help that is available.
Let me put a smile on your face with these twelve quotes about the foolishness of stress.
- “A smile cures the wounding of a frown.” – William Shakespeare
- “The man who smiles when things go wrong has thought of someone to blame it on.” – Robert Bloch
- “Don’t take life too seriously! Nobody gets out alive anyway. Smile. Be goofy. Take chances. Have fun. Inspire.” – Dawn Gluskin
- “I try to take it one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.” – Ashleigh Brilliant
- “There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full.” – Henry Kissinger
- “We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.” – David Mamet
- “When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.” – Winston Churchill
- “Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness.” – Richard Carlson
- “Stress is when you wake up screaming and realize you haven’t fallen asleep yet.” – Steve Valentine
- “If you say you never stress, be careful, ‘cause your nose will grow and you would truly have something to stress about.” – DiAnn Mills
- “Brain cells create ideas. Stress kills brain cells. Stress is not a good idea.” – Arthur Frederick Saunders
- “Stress is an enemy that attaches itself to the mind and assumes control. The problem is we end up believing it.” – DiAnn Mills
We can redirect our lives to avoid unnecessary stress, and I encourage you to evaluate your life and seek out the priorities of God, family, work, and friends. Don’t forget to smile!
Stress tried to win this week… but pie and a smile helped. 😄
Do you have a favorite quote about stress?
Love this much-needed post. Ashleigh Brilliant was one of my mom’s favorite humorists. I have several compilations of his cartoons & quips. Thanks for the lift, DiAnn.
“Stress reminds me how quickly I forget who is actually in charge.”
Remembering God is in charge helps, but it’s the remembering part that I struggle with.
Oh! Congratulations, DiAnn on being named a finalist in the 2026 Selah Awards for Canyon of Deceit!
Thank you, Gloria, and congratulations for your finalist honor too!
Reverse STRESSED and you get DESSERTS. 😎🤪
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Nancy, something sweet always is a good thing.
I love the author of numbers 10 and 12, but I must say that number 2 made me laugh out loud.
If my siblings and I ever complained about what we were going through, my mother always responded with, “that’s like. Get on the bus. “
Mom is no longer with us but even her great grandchildren have heard that expression many times. It’s almost become the family motto.
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Aw, thanks, Judy. So good to hear from you!
My mom used to say “This too shall pass.” That has seen me through a lot of those “troubles that never happened.”
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Karen, when we think about how much time we spend worrying, then your mom was brilliant.
I need this at the moment. Thanks. My muscles sometimes forget how to smile in a storm, and I am having a few.
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Oh, Frances, I’m so sorry. A prayer is sent your way.
Oops! a typo in my earlier comment! Franz was on a leash, not a lease!
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LOL, Peggy, I liked the first version. No one in their right mind schedules a crisis. Thanks for sharing your story!
Many years ago I was quite stressed when my dad was recovering from a massive stroke. We would take him to a park where he could sit on a bench and feed peanuts to squirrels. One day a German shepherd tugged at his lease and blocked our narrow trail. His master told him something I say to myself when I’m stressed about being late. “Heel, Franz, you’ll get there faster.”
I’m sure we’ve all experienced #4 of your list, and I especially appreciate Kissinger’s words in #5.
These are all good! I need to put them on a calendar so I can read one a day.
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Thanks, Teresa, I need to memorize them!
These are fantastic. I’m speaking on Phil. 4, God’s recipe for peace. I may use some of them!
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Debbie, thanks. So glad to help!
We are too blessed to be stressed…..I try to remember to tell myself. 🥰
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Donna, best quote there is!
Smile and feel your body change from sad to glad. 🙂
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Melissa, oh, if we could all follow your advice.
Stress is like riding a bike. Don’t worry/stress about falling off, just keep pedaling. God’s got this!
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Yes, Jackie! God’s got this – and I’m so glad He’s in control!
“Stressed” is “desserts” spelled backwards. Hey, DiAnn, wanna share a pie (a la mode)
I love this…and dessert! Thanks for sharing! 😘
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Donna, dessert soothes the body and quotes soothe the soul. 🙂
An oldie but goodie that’s gotten me through a lot of situations: When life gives you lemons make lemonade!
I also like your #12.
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Thanks, Barbara, and I well remember growing up to lemons make lemonade!
A contemplation from Teresa of Avila:
Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing away.
But, God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.
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Laurie, that’s a keeper. Thank you!
Love it – see me smiling.
“ keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you’re up to!”
At least that’s what my mom and dad thought when I was “ really “ smiling.
I usually was up to something.
Blessings to you DiAnn
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Joyce, I’m laughing. I’m sure you were up to something!