It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

It seems like these days, everyone is going through some sort of crisis. Lost jobs, lost homes, constant car problems, loved ones who are sick or who have passed on into the non-physical. Those of us who are lucky enough to have jobs, a home, a working car and our health, still find it hard to make ends meet. Yes, we all have our struggles, and when we are in the middle of our crisis, it's hard to see beyond what is happening. But out of the worst situation can come the opportunity for amazing growth. Look for the lesson. Ask your self how you can grow from this. The job search can mean your dream job is around the corner. Lost possessions can teach us that we don't need that much stuff anyway. A loved one's illness shows us to make the most of every precious moment with that person. By taking time to focus on the good, on what we have as opposed to what we don't have, we are allowing more of the good to come to us. Since this is hard to do when you are too focused on what is going wrong, here are some suggestions for turning things around:


1. Breathe!....Take a moment, close the eyes, and take some deep breaths. Just a few will do the trick. Also, breathe from the belly, not the chest, it's more relaxing.

2. Practice yoga....or if yoga is not your thing any physical activity will do. Move the body, notice how good it feels. Get your circulation pumping, move those muscles, work up a sweat, raise those endorphin levels (you know, those feel good hormones).

3. Laugh, a lot....Watch your favorite comedy, spend time with those who make you laugh, be silly sometimes, or laugh for no reason at all. If you have never tried Laughter Yoga, I highly, highly recommend it.

4. Clear you clutter...By now some of you may be saying, oh no, here is that Feng Shui, metaphysical, everything has energy crap. But you know me, would I B.S. you? It works. Get rid of stuff you don't need. Finish those unfinished projects. Cluttered space means a cluttered mind. Sell a few things for the extra cash and give the rest away to someone who really needs it. Which leads us to...

5. Do something nice for others....Even better if you can do this anonymously. We all know helping someone else makes us feel better.

6. Do something you enjoy, everyday....Think about what you really enjoy doing, and do it. Even if it's only for a few moments in the day. So many people get caught up in their daily routine and what has to be done, that they never take time to do the things that feed their soul.

7. Be in the moment...We all spend too much time in our heads, rehashing the past or worrying about the future. Well the past is gone and the future hasn't happened yet, all we truly have is each moment, as it comes. Here is a mediation that I use when things get tough to keep me focused in the moment.

Sit quietly with the eyes closed. Take a moment to focus on the breath. Breathe from the belly, but otherwise, don't control the breath in anyway. Feel the connection to the breath and how it is our connection with all of life. Every living thing breathes. Try to connect with the living things around you at that moment, other people, pets or other animals, the birds singing, the wind blowing through the trees. Then repeat the mantra, "everything in this moment is perfect". Start to think about all the good in your life, even if it is something that seems very small. You will find that as you meditate on the good things, the easier it will be to think of more and more of them. If the mind starts to wander and the thinking starts to become negative again, go back to the mantra. When you are done, open the eyes and notice how much better you feel, and how different your situation may seem.

You can try all my suggestions, some of them, or none of them, it's your choice. I don't pretend to have all the answers. Find what works for you. Just think, if we all shifted our focus from the negative, the blaming, the criticizing of ourselves and each other; and concentrated on our happiness and helping others, what a difference it would make.