| When I find myself in the midst of a challenging | | | | time. I focus on getting clear on what I want the |
| experience, I ask myself "Why is this happening to | | | | outcome to look and feel like, and stop trying to |
| me?" Not in a whiny, wailing kind of way (not | | | | figure out how to achieve it. |
| anymore that is, believe me, there was a time when | | | | After a couple of days of this soul nourishing, I start |
| I surely would have), but in a genuinely curious way. | | | | to take baby steps. I still might not know "how" I'm |
| I know now that no matter how tough things are for | | | | going to solve my issue, but I start to do small things |
| me there is an opportunity for growth and expansion | | | | that feel like they will help,or at least can't hurt! |
| in the experience. And when I don't know the reason | | | | Often, this is when the inspiration does kick in. With |
| for what's happening, I hold the intention to know it. | | | | small steps, my energy starts to shift, and little by |
| It doesn't have to be right away. I accept that the | | | | little the way becomes clearer, and my enthusiasm |
| knowledge or insight may well come in hindsight, and | | | | stronger. |
| so I do the best I can to deal with the situation while | | | | "When one door of happiness closes, another opens; |
| trusting that everything will be alright. | | | | but often we look so long at the closed door that |
| I know when the going gets tough that I've created | | | | we do not see the one which has been opened for |
| or attracted the experience at an unconscious level | | | | us." -- Helen Keller |
| through my thoughts, feelings and overall energy. I | | | | The former, more pessimistic me would have |
| also know that this outer event does not have to | | | | wallowed in my misery. The world is not a fair place, |
| impact my inner self if I don't give it the power to do | | | | some people have all the luck and it sure as hell |
| so. How I experience the event, how I get through it | | | | wasn't me! But now I know that if I allow myself to |
| is down to me, I am not powerless in my response | | | | do that I will probably miss the silver lining completely. |
| to the situation. I realise that I need to shift my | | | | And what a waste of time and misery that would |
| energy, to align it more with how I'd prefer things to | | | | have been! (I'm also much luckier now - and I don't |
| be rather than how they are/I don't want them to | | | | believe in coincidences) |
| be. | | | | Life is never going to be a smooth ride. It's going to |
| So what I do is take good care of myself. I let | | | | be peaks and troughs. But our overall level of |
| myself off the hook when it comes to all the busy | | | | happiness, our resilience to the tougher experiences, |
| stuff I "should" be doing, and instead focus on | | | | can be a constant. Every challenging experience is an |
| nourishing my body, mind and soul. I take a nap in the | | | | opportunity to grow and strengthen that resilience, |
| middle of the day. I light a fire and watch afternoon | | | | to improve our coping skills and to get more out of |
| telly. I go for a walk - fresh air is such a great tonic. I | | | | life. The contrasts are what enable us to enjoy and |
| read something inspirational. I go to the cinema in the | | | | appreciate the good stuff, and joy and appreciation |
| middle of the afternoon. I do things for no other | | | | attracts more of the same and better into our lives. |
| reason than it feels good doing them. | | | | "Whenever you're in the middle of a crisis, stop and |
| I allow myself to sit with the dilemma without | | | | say 'Thank You', because you know that something |
| worrying about it. To wonder with curiosity rather | | | | better is on the other side." -- Oprah Winfrey |
| than anxiety how things will be when I get to the | | | | So, when things are looking a little dark in your life |
| other side of it. And I look forward to the inspired | | | | remember firstly that this too will pass and secondly |
| action I will take when the solution comes to me | | | | that not only will things get better but you will get |
| naturally. I never force it anymore, I just trust that | | | | stronger. To find the silver lining, keep a conscious |
| the answer will make itself known to me in good | | | | lookout for it! |