Poem: Bottles of Free

Remember singing "99 Bottles of Beer" during road trips or around campfires?

Here's a current twist on those anonymous lyrics.

Bottles of Free

Ninety-nine bottles of free on the wall,

Ninety-nine bottles of free.

Break one down,

Spread fear around.

Ninety-eight bottles of free on the wall.

Ninety-eight bottles of free on the wall,

Ninety-eight bottles of free.

Threaten jobs,

Censor voices.

Ninety-seven bottles of free on the wall.

Ninety-seven bottles of free on the wall,

Ninety-seven bottles of free.

Stress and strife,

Digital life.

Ninety-six bottles of free on the wall.

Ninety-six bottles of free on the wall,

Ninety-six bottles of free.

Make joy hard

Without the card.

Ninety-five bottles of free on the wall.

Ninety-five bottles of free on the wall,

Ninety-five bottles of free.

Twist the truths

To cause conflicts.

Ninety-four bottles of free on the wall.

Ninety-four bottles of free on the wall,

Ninety-four bottles of free.

Bend human will

To forget the soul.

No more bottles are free on the wall.

Jean Neff Guthrie

Four Tips to Reduce Stress by Writing

Feeling more stressed than in prior years? Want to create a healthier life and experience more fun? Perhaps writing can help. Begin your journey in a quite space with pen and unlined paper. Set aside the phone, laptop, TV, and other devices. Take a deep breath, then another. Try these tips:

Write your woes

Place your nondominant hand or fingers on your heart center (middle of your chest.) With your dominant hand, use blank paper and pen to write how you feel. Express the anxiety, stress, frustration, aggravation, fear, anger, etc. Emotionally vomit on the paper. Remember to breathe deeply. Write until you feel complete. Then switch hands and repeat the process. Touch your heart center with your dominant hand. Use your nondominant hand to write how you feel. Notice a difference with the nondominant hand?

Fake it ‘til you make it

Write: “All is well. All is well. All is well.” Over and over. Fill the whole page.

Ask for help

Before going to bed, write in a journal or notebook: “What is the most peaceful, benevolent outcome for the problem concerning (short description of problem). Then unplug from the devices and go to sleep. What are your first impressions or intuitions when you wake? What did you dream? Quickly write them in your journal or notebook.

Create your story

Imagine the outcome you seek--greater health, lifestyle change, etc. Describe it with words or draw a picture. Be as specific as possible. How do you feel when your story unfolds? What you think and how you feel determines your reality.