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What to Do in Difficult Times - Part 3

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What about when things get rough? It won't always feel like this, but there's an opportunity in dark times to experience God. I'm not talking about religion. The opportunity is beyond all that... into personal experience. The best quote I ever heard about this was from a guy called Brent Rue who said, "Religion is like an innoculation; just enough of something to stop you from getting the real thing." So what's the real thing? That's for you to discover I guess, if you want to. 7. Pray When you're losing it and before that, try it. The Lord's prayer has got your back! There's also the Serenity prayer used in 12 step programs. I've found it to bring peace no matter what I've been going through. It gets you back in the game. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can & the wisdom to know the difference." Hang in there!

What to Do in Difficult Times - Part 2

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Difficult times are what they are... There are certain things I miss about the worst of mine. The focus, the clarity, the sense of feeling amazingly close to God. That being said, not having the tools in the midst of them can be excruciating! Here are a few more pointers for the bread basket - 4. Separate what's necessary, from what's not. My counselor used to tell a wonderful story as an example of this. He called it the two sniff test. In hard times, when he picked up his young kid's clothes left on the floor, if they passed the two sniff test they went back in the draw! Always makes me smile this one. It speaks directly to what's necessary and what's not. 5. Everyone gets their needs met. Needs and wants are very different ball games. Meeting needs and meeting wants can be the difference between sanity and losing it. Keep your sanity and meet needs, not wants. If there's room for a few wants later on, sure, go for it but knowing the difference is a g

What to Do in Difficult Times

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If you are going through hard times, you won't be the first. That really doesn't help though does it?! What on earth has other people's pain got to do with one's own experience? No comfort really... Unless they had a few pointers that might help to get you through. In my most difficult years, I learned a few things that really help. Here's three to get started. 1. Start with Gratitude. It may sound absurd when you are struggling, but it really helps to set your mind on good things when times are tough. Anything good, anything at all - the smell of hot chips, the sun on your face. The little things really add up when you notice and appreciate them. 2. Live one day at a time. So it can sound like a cliche, but it is sanely good advice! Letting go of what might happen tomorrow and focusing on today. And make it a good day! Include at least one thing you enjoy, as you go about all that must be done. 3. Find someone to help worse off than you & help the