Pressure Cooker

I have seen the Grand Canyon three times. The first time was on a day excursion from a mission trip in Farmington, New Mexico in 1983. On that visit we only had time to view the South Rim and and say that we had been there.  But just to see the majesty of the canyon is worth the trip for any length of time.

The last time I was there was three years ago when I explored the North Rim for two days with my brother. We had plenty of time to view the canyon from various locations walking, talking and photographing.   One afternoon we actually got stranded there for several hours.  It was like the Universe said, "Now you have nothing better to do than to enjoy the canyon and the company of your brother."

The second time I was at the Grand Canyon was also a trip with my brother.  He had this notion of camping at the South Rim.  We flew ourselves and our equipment to Phoenix, rented a car and drove to the canyon. We had stopped in Flagstaff to buy some more equipment so that we would be fully prepared.

We weren't prepared.  We had no idea just how cold it was going to get at night and we had never tried to cook at 6800 feet above sea level.  Water, as you know, boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.  But that's at sea level.  At 6800 feet it boils at about 199 degrees.  Thirteen degrees may not seem like much difference, but explain that to your food.  That was in April of 1977. If we had kept those eggs in the skillet, I would say they should be getting done by now.  We ate a lot of beef jerky.

There is an easy way to deal with this problem that we didn't know about at the time. You can buy and use a pressure cooker designed for camping and cooking at high altitudes.  They aren't that expensive and they work really well.  My experience with a pressure cooker was the massive one my mother used.  I can still smell the green beans and I can still see and hear that pressure release bobble dancing on the top of the lid. I wish we'd known about these small ones for our trip.  Live and learn.

But usually when we think of  pressure cooker, we think of "pressure cooker situations."  We have all been in them. In some ways life is a "pressure cooker situation." But sometimes we are particularly stressed. To be in a "pressure cooker" is very stressful and uncomfortable.  So that we don't cook, it's important to get out of these situations as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile you have to deal with the stress.  Here are some very popular ways for dealing with the stress quickly.  1. Smoke cigarettes and dope 2. Drink too much and too often 3. Practice binge eating, especially of junk food 4. Take illegal drugs and too many prescription drugs 5. Lash out verbally at people, especially the people you care about the most.  If that doesn't help, then just hit them.  All of these methods will help dissipate your stress. Only thing the relief is very short lived and you have now created financial problems, and in some cases marital and legal issues.   And you've hurt people emotionally and physically. You've affected your health and these lost relationships compound your original problems.

There are other proven methods that will work much better., These methods of dealing with stress have both immediate and residual benefits.  They make you feel better and not worse. 1.Get some exercise--Take a walk in the woods. Play tennis. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Join a yoga class. Do anything to get moving. 2. Eat healthy foods. 3.. Do something relaxing that you enjoy. Find a healthy way to unwind in a way that works for you.. 4. Reach out to a colleague at work or to a friend.5. Reframe your problems.  Just gain a difference perspective on your situation. You are still in the pressure cooker, but the release valve has drastically changed the pressure.

The best way to deal with "pressure cooker situations" is to stay out of them.  I understand that to some extent stressful situations are inevitable, but there is one thing that you can do to make a big difference.  Use the word "No" very liberally.  When someone asks you to do something, think "How much time and energy is it going to take if I say 'yes'?" . Now think, "How much time and energy is it going to take if I say 'no'?"  And now you have time to say "yes" to something you enjoy and that you really want to do.

My brother and I were hiking down the Bright Angel Trail the afternoon after that first frigid night in the tent.  He was uncharacteristically quiet and had a long face.  So I asked, "What's up with you?"  He said, "I know camping was my big idea, but do we have to camp?"  Later that day we gave away all of our equipment to a park ranger and checked into a motel. With a restaurant.