Last Sunday I got a chance to visit Crystal Bridges at the Massey on the square in Bentonville to view the “Looking at Our Landscape” exhibit. On display were 50 photographs chosen from 300 or so entries submitted by area photographers. They represented many different scenes and subjects found around northwest Arkansas.

I enjoyed seeing entries by some hometown area residents, and I was pleasantly surprised to also discover a picture of an old trolley car in Eureka Springs taken by my nephew, Trent Edwards. He isquite an accomplished photographer, but I was not aware that he had entered the event.

The exhibit will continue through May 30. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

A visit to view “Looking at Our Landscapes” takes only a short drive and admission is free. In addition, it shows the interesting variety of ways in which our area can be represented in photographs. The exhibit hall presents a quiet and relaxing atmosphere - something very appealing to me after some of therecent days I have had. Read on……

I have noticed a lot of people appear to be stressed out lately and I have been finding myself right there with them. Maybe it has something to do with the spring season and the extra activities and chores that come with it. Or maybe it is the fact that the end of school is in sight and there is still much to get accomplished. Or it could be ordinary pressures that go with caring for homes and families and all our many other obligations.

To top it off there’s the ever-present gloom and doom of the sagging economy and rising prices all around us. The list of things we could get all worked up about these days is endless! It’s as though life in general is trying to kick our tails.I am ready and willing to fight back but finding the right game plan isn’t always easy.

When finding myself in this situation, my first instinct is to maneuver into attack mode. I determine to spend more time and energy catching up on all the things in which I am getting behind. Then life will be all better. I write my “to-do” list and vow to get items quickly checked off to prove to myself that I am gaining control.

Inevitably, for every job crossed out, there is a new one or maybe two to take its place. Feeling further stressed, I am now inclined to take the path that in the heat of the moment feels like a logical, at least temporary solution. I put aside my “what-I-know-deep-in my-heart-is-important-todo” list and concentrate more on the “ things-I-feel-I-should-do” list. Then, I dig in and work harder.

Before long I have slipped into survival mode. Somebody turned out the light at the end of the tunnel. I am helplessly behind and too tired to think clearly. To make matters worse, I lose precious rest time by lying awake at night thinking of my ever-growing “to-do” list.

Now, feeling both exhausted and overwhelmed, something quite inconsequential (at least in the whole scheme of things) can be the final straw that completely snows me under. Obviously my game plan is flawed and I need help.

Yes, I need help! I readily admit it. I can’t do life on my own. There’s no way. We might try to blame stress on modern-day life and all the responsibilities that come with it, but something tells me that feeling overwhelmed is as old as mankind.

In fact, it isn’t hard to find many examples in the Bible of people who got to their wit’s end and called out for help. And that’s when help came. I find that it still works that way for me - if I just remember to do it!

Help comes in many different forms. I don’t know exactly how it all happens but I know it sure feels better. Peace replaces anxiety and joy takes the place of worry. Yes, there is still plenty to get done and there always will be. It just seems that more gets accomplished when I am willing to let God be in control.

Annette Rowe is a freelance writer and a speechlanguage pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by e-mail at awalkinthepark50 @ yahoo.com.

Opinion, Pages 5 on 04/28/2010