Diamond Vs Ham...

Extreme pressure makes diamonds but it also pops the top on a pressure cooker when you're preparing some succulent ham (if you don't like ham replace "ham" with "turkey" each time you see it)...ok I would love to have a ham sandwich at the moment but I am getting away from the point. We talk about how stressful conditions prepare us for greatness but there needs to be some sort of release or we explode like a broken pressure cooker! A release valve is built into a pressure cooker to relieve some of the pressure because otherwise the vessel will burst. This is how we can break down from having too much pressure placed on us without some sort of release -- release, rest, relaxation, refuge are critical elements of being human.

From my basic understanding of how diamonds are made (and a few google searches) of highly organised carbon, so when carbon containing materials are exposed to extreme heat and pressure diamonds are formed....now that's a lot of pressure (pun not intended, I promise). So rather than working yourself to death, cutting yourself to the extremes to become a diamond try becoming that succulent ham. Yes, diamonds last forever (according to the commercials) but only a few people can get them. They aren't cheap to the consumer and if they are small they aren't appreciated. Ham on the other hand is affordable, beloved by all (well, not vegans...), last for weeks and has multiple uses. So love someone and give them some ham (wait...thats not what I meant to say!).

Pressure is a good measure of what you're made of but it is possible to over due it. I can only ask that when you see the pressure is too much to bear you take a break, it may not seem to be the easiest thing to do but it is a necessity. You can't give everything 110% all the time every time. Nothing is made to overwork itself for long periods without any reprieve. If you work hard then you have to play hard. Relax yourself so that you can gear up to do it again. Thats how you find your reserves when you need them.

Now if you'll excuse me I"m gonna make that sandwich...