Friday, November 19, 2010

How to Get Through Tough Times


How to Get Through Tough Times
By John Harricharan


Today turned out to be one of those textbook beautiful days. The sun
is shining, the breeze is blowing softly and the temperature is just
right — the perfect day. Even with all the challenges I have to face,
I still look up at the sky and smile as the clouds chase one another
across a "picture-perfect", blue background.

But I know that all the days to come will not be as beautiful and
comfortable as this day is. Yesterday was dark and dreary, pierced
with giant streaks of lightning, which generated thunder that rattled the windows.

Yes, I know that all the days that follow today will not be as bright
as this one, nor as dark as yesterday. Some days will be better than
others. Some will be worse. And I do not know which ones will or
won't.

But this one thing I know: There will be change. There will be ups and
there will be downs. That's how life is — there are good times and not
so good times. The good times will not last forever. Every now and
then, there will be rough times. But remember, even the worst times
won't last either.

The trick is to enjoy the good times and make the most of them; to
tolerate the rough times and know that they won't last forever.
Generally, it appears that the good times seem to go so fast and the
bad times seem to last forever, but this is not really so. It is our
experience of time that makes it seem that way.

Five minutes in my dentist's chair may feel like an eternity, whereas
sixty minutes spent chatting with a friend may seem like just a few
seconds. What we are dealing with here is a matter of focus. Let me
explain.

Whenever we encounter difficult problems, the tendency is to focus so
intensely in trying to arrive at a solution that we become all tense
and tied up in knots. When that occurs, we tend to become frustrated, fearful and sometimes angry. The problem here is that we're trying to force a solution instead of allowing a solution.

Anger could be expected, but prolonged anger is harmful to body, mind and spirit. It was the great author and lecturer, Dr. Elisabeth
Kubler-Ross who said, "Natural anger lasts for only about seventeen
seconds". Anything beyond that is a reaction to circumstances or
remembered situations.

Fear is one of our deadliest enemies. The fear I refer to is the type
that causes us to stay awake at night conjuring up all the terrible
things that could happen because of the unsolved problems we're
facing. This kind of fear is dangerous, self-defeating and downright useless. It shakes our very foundations and needlessly drains us of energy.

And to be frustrated is natural. But let us not dwell on the frustration. It's like having a flat tire while driving in a thunderstorm and getting out of the car, becoming soaking wet and kicking the flat tire for being flat. It does no good.

How to Deal With Problems

So you ask me, "How then do I deal with my problems?" The first most
important thing is to disconnect from the problem. By this, I don't
mean that you pretend that the problem doesn't exist. It does exist,
so get all the facts you can and then let it be. Break focus with it.
This way, your subconscious mind will work towards a solution.

When we force our minds to be totally focussed on the problem, when we do not let it go, even for a short while, we deny the subconscious mechanism the power it has to help resolve the crisis. We must let it go. We must take a break from thinking about the problem.

Do whatever you can to break focus. Since all things have energy, even
our problems are energy "things". If we focus on the problem too long,
we energize it and make it stronger. By letting go and switching our
focus, we shift our energy away from the problem and are now
"energizing" the solution.

Does it matter how big the problem is? Not really. The Higher Self
knows the answer to every problem we could ever encounter. The size of
the problem is not important. What is important is how we look at the
problem. Withdraw your attention from it for a short while a number of
times a day.

During those times, don't look at the facts. You've already done that.
Just look away from the facts to something pleasant, maybe listen to
some good music, watch a great movie, go for a walk, talk to a good
friend, read a good book. Just break focus with the problem for a short while.

If you do this, you will notice that the problem will appear to be
less and less formidable. And somehow, in some way, you will get the guidance to do what's necessary to overcome the challenge. It may be
that your car is being repossessed, the house is being foreclosed, a
close friend or relative or even you yourself may be battling poor
health. Doesn't matter what the problem is, break focus, allow calm,
quiet and hope to flow through your mind.

As you practice doing this, almost magically, things will start to
change; you will feel better, more hopeful, more empowered. And you
will think more clearly. You will hear the "still small" voice within
giving you the guidance you need.

Don't take my word for it. Just try it and see for yourself. You have
nothing to lose except your problems. And you have everything to gain.

Next time I'll reveal how to use various sources of inspiration to
keep on going when it seems that the road has been too long and dark.
Remember, Morning has been all night coming, but see how surely it
comes.

Edited by: Lawyer Asad

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