Sep
What Do You Do When Life Gets Tough?
I feel like I don’t even have to write the post. Just get feedback.
I could be travelling down a slippery slope with this post, but I’m going to spin it. Today I had a rough day. I faced some truths about some of the things that I am doing. Not the positive stuff that I talk about here, but some of the other things going on in my life today. I won’t go into details about it because in 6 months, 1 year, 2, 3, 5,25 years, it won’t be relevant, and it won’t be helpful to you today. What would be relevant and helpful is how I chose to deal with it.
Acknowledge the Situation
In personal development and new thought, we hear and talk about the true nature of the Universe. We know that our thoughts create our lives. This statement is true. Be present to really assess the situation. Don’t immediately try to think yourself out of it or fix it. The situation is just the outer manifestation of a previous thought pattern. It is what it is. Accept that it exists.
Be Honest With Yourself
Take this with a grain of salt. It’s not a license to beat yourself up. You want to acknowledge the situation and be clear about what got you here. Think of it as evidence in a case. You’re trying to solve the case so you don’t have to do it again. You don’t have to beat up the witnesses. Thank them for their help in providing a clue. Once you know what got you in the situation, you can make different choices to get you into a situation that’s more favorable.
Pray
If you’ve been to this site before you know that I can’t do a post without some reference to Spirit. What ever your tradition or non-tradition, consult with your Higher Power. In Spirit lies the solution. Even if you think you have it, thank your Higher Power for the solution. If you don’t have the solution, pray until something happens (PUSH). In my experience, prayer is a miraculous thing. Even without a clear solution, in the midst of despair, it comforts me.
Do Something Inspirational
You can take a walk, read a blog, listen to a CD, you name it. Begin to shift your attention from the problem to the solution. Your favorite author might have the words that are the solution to your problem. Or you might read something inspirational online and it resonates with your soul. Once you open up, solution will be forthcoming.
Act on Your Guidance
After acknowledging the situation, being honest with yourself, praying, and seeking inspiration, it’s time to follow up with action. You will be guided to take steps out of the situation. Act on that guidance no matter how strange it may seem. Guided action will get you out of the hole. It will move you toward the life that you desire.
What do you do when life gets tough?


September 28th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
I also remember to forgive myself because Spirit already has forgiven us.
A great and honest post Nneka. Thank you for your courage.
September 28th, 2006 at 6:25 pm
Raymond, forgiveness is a key ingredient. The fact that I left it out tells me where my head is at..
Thanks for making that addition.
Also, funny you should say honest. I have been trying in earnest to be clear and honest in my posts.
Thank you for the comment and compliment.
October 8th, 2006 at 9:41 pm
The Personal Development Carnival - Oct. 8, 2006
Welcome to the October 8, 2006 edition of the Personal Development Carnival.
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Patricia presents Waiting on a Biopsy: How to Handle Uncertainty posted at A Better You blog.
Bill presents How to Increase Your Value by Tracking Your Time posted at …
October 9th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
Love your blog.
Found it via the personal development blog carnival. I especially like your discussion of spiritual issues.
For me life has always been tough. I?€™ve created it that way. I?€™m doing my best to unlearn the ?€˜life is tough?€™ thinking. But sometimes life is truly tough, and at those moments I stop and look at the clouds, the sunshine, feel the wind blowing across my face, listen for the sound of a child or an animal, any little detail that takes me away from my problem - anything that puts reality back in perspective and then I say out loud or in my mind ?€“ I?€™m sorry, forgive me, I love you. And you know what? It works for me.
October 10th, 2006 at 9:00 pm
Steve, thanks for stopping by.
That is a great way to acknowledge the present and the presence. It is a beautiful way to honor life.
March 7th, 2007 at 8:58 am
[...] Nneka presents What Do You Do When Life Gets Tough? posted at Balanced Life Center. [...]
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Nneka,
I was seeking inspiration and wisdom as I am facing some very dire
financial problems right now. I was led to a couple of your posts. This
one really jumped out at me, especially about how problems are not a
license to beat ourselves up. I’m having to face some situations brought
on about my past. I know it will feel good once my debt is paid down an
I can move on to abundance. The road seems long sometimes. Your post
has inspired me to have fun, enjoy the journey and don’t give up.