I know that we all have the feeling sometimes that our circumstances are overwhelming. There may be too much happening in your life or there may be unfortunate events or we may just be having a really bad day. All of us face problems, some because of our choices and others because of what's happening around us. Life is often a struggle. This is the universal state of mankind. "suffering is universal." This struggle is often the reason why we call out to God for help or get angry or depressed. Here are a few tips that I try to live by when trying to gain perspective on some of the problems that I face
- Most problems are not permanent – be very careful about making permanent choices regarding issues that won't last.
- Most problems are minor in the big scheme of things – What worried me as a teenager does not worry me now.
- Embrace the problem – the cliche what doesn't destroy me makes me stronger can be true if the problem is dealt with constructively. I try to use difficulties to become a better person in the end. In a recent book that I read about finding wholeness each of the case studies overcame some personal difficulties that brought them into a better place.
- Get over yourself – My wife has said this at time when I have tried to express my rightness over an issue. I may be right but I need to get over my need to be right. I live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world if I think that things are bad its because I have limited my vision to myself. It isn't all about me and if my problems are overwhelming maybe I just need to broaden my focus.
So life is just a little bit overwhelming for me at the moment. Lots of changes are happening that are beyond my control and I need take a bit of my own advice.