Making It Through Tough Times

                                  
                                   "little by little. day by day." - Unknown


Little by little, day by day, minute by minute is how we can make it through tough times.

I am a firm believer that we can see our way through if we are willing to do the following:

                               - Live each day with an openness of mind and heart
                               - Modify our thoughts, words and actions
                               - Commit to ourselves and those we love

This can help carry us at our lowest points in our lives by giving us the emotional strength we need and the courage to go on when the going gets tough.

Here are some very simple actions that can help you make it through tough times:

- Take it one day at a time.
- Identify, accept, express and release your feelings.
- Turn to caring, loving people you know will be there for you.
- Be honest about how you feel and what you are going through.
- Face your fears, doing so makes them smaller and manageable.
- Make the decision that you will get through this.
- Cry when you need to and laugh when you can.
- Do things before you're ready.
- Make good choices.
- Realize your options.
- Acknowledge what's going right in your life.
- Do something positive for yourself everyday.
- Take action however small it may be.
- Ask for help and consider the feedback.
- Practice gratitude. Pay attention to what is positive.
- Surround yourself with positive people.
- Be self-loving; prioritize self-care.
- Stop worrying about the things you cannot control.
- Focus only on what you can control.
- Face the situation; avoidance only adds to anxiety.
- Do not wallow in self-pity.
- Stop the negative self-talk, it's never constructive.
- Practice spirituality through prayer, meditation, and writing.
- Take a break from your troubles and help others. This can be the most useful action to take.
- See things as they are and change what you can.
- Believe that you can do more than you think you can.
- Have hope that change is doable and possible.
- Know that you are stronger than you think.
- Don't give up.
- Do the best you can today. When tomorrow comes you can do it all over again.


Remember:

- It's the simple things that mean the most and make a difference in our lives.
- It's not what happens to you, but how you respond to it that matters.
- "It works if you work it."- recovery slogan.

I leave you with one of my favorite quotes: " When you must, you can." - Douglas Pagels

Enjoy!