The Clear and Simple Way

What can you do when you are in a situation that seems overwhelming? How can you move forward when it seems you must use most of your energy just to cope with your daily life situation?

1.  There are spiritual tools that can assist you in the moment, if you feel drawn to use them. These tools have been proven through the ages, used and advised by all spiritual masters in one form or another - meditation, contemplation, prayer, and reading uplifting literature.

2. Physical exercise and movement such as walking, yoga, jogging, tennis, (or whatever feels good to you) have a beneficial impact upon body, mind, and spirit.

3. Sleep is important to healing. Sometimes a good nights sleep seems to solve everything. If you have trouble sleeping, at least lay down and rest.

4. Eat a nutritious diet and drink enough water.

5. Social support is vital - friends and family who can support you (and whom you can support) with a phone call, a visit, or even an e-mail. If isolation and loneliness are part of your problem, make it a point to reach out to others - join a group - find a place of worship or a meditation class - do whatever you can to increase your sense of community.

6. Follow your visions, no matter how small or foggy they seem at the moment.  Sometimes the fog is so thick, it may seem that you are moving in slow motion or not moving at all. Trust that your vision will become clearer as you take steps toward it. Maybe your vision is as simple as getting out of bed and going for a walk. Maybe it is as large as traveling to another country or starting your own business.

4. Take steps toward yours visions no matter how small. Focus upon what you are doing  in the moment, rather than on everything that you must do. Focusing on everything you must do is actually living in the past  - it is like carrying heavy luggage filled with all the things you haven't done. Bring your focus instead to the present and what you can do right now. Surrender the outcome to God.

Imagine that you are looking for 1000 pearls lost everywhere in your house. Focus on the pearl that you do find - not the 999 left to find - and add it to your necklace. Allow yourself to feel good about that one pearl. Breathe a sigh of accomplishment. One less pearl to find! Smile. Drink some water. And move onto the next pearl.

Imagine as you go through life that you just stringing pearls on a necklace and there is nothing more important than being completely in the present with each pearl. What matters, after all, is that we live our lives here and now, in as much peace as possible. In this way, we love and honor our life as the precious pearl it is - and the little place that lives inside us snuggles into happiness - because it is loved by the one it most wants love from - you, yourself!

©2008 all rights reserved to Judith Ann Parsons aka Indira