How to Get Through Interesting Times

It is funny how I am only motivated to write when I am going through "interesting" (a.k.a. shitty) times. Currently I am in a bath with the whole package: candle, gemstone, essential oils, sad music on the laptop, which converts my skin into some sort of a red raisin from the combo of espresso vodka and over-hydration by sitting in the water. Alas! I am finally inspired to write about deep thoughts!

So you are wondering how to get over shitty... oops... I mean interesting times? Well, all you have to do is to change your perspective and state!

First thing is to understand that whatever is happening is a time for growth and figuring out WTF this lesson is about. If your life is too easy, then challenge and growth do not exist. The human game would be boring and easy (yawn~). Also, if something out of the ordinary ever happens, you would not be able to handle anything at all. So it is our joyful challenge to find abundance and the state of "it's all good" in ALL circumstance. It is not what and how much you acquire and secure, but finding out what we value in order to see the abundance and love for what it is in front of you. You do not own anything yet everything is all yours. This game is complex and oh so genius! Be conscious and figure out what we are learning here!! Otherwise, your lessons will come back over and over again.....ugh, what's the point, know what I mean?

1. Gratitude:

It's been heard so many times and a lot of times it meant nothing to me. It only made sense to me when I was either in a different state or when I seriously took the time to count the blessings I had. Yes, even the little things, and don't underestimate their power.

Here are some example from yours truly (yes, I'm uncomfortably exposing a little bit of myself) :

• I am grateful for the freedom I have because I have experienced working over time where I had no time for myself. I appreciate having the time to focus on myself and getting things done.
  
• I am grateful for the friends and support that I have because I remember the times when I had none around me during my travels.
  
• I am grateful for the heart break because I now know that only someone who cares about and connects with me on a deeper level can fulfill my needs. I look forward to be with the right person for me.
  
• I am grateful for a roof on top of my head and healthy food which are all I really need in order to live. The spacious environment allows me to expand in all areas of my life.
  
• I appreciate the rain because it feeds the plants and provides plenty of water for our needs.
  
• I am grateful to be working in the field of wellness beause it took me so long to find work that is so enjoyable and fulfilling. I love this free and alternative lifestyle.
  
• I am grateful to have such an interesting and exciting life, no matter what the numbers are.
  
• I am grateful to be alive. I remember that nothing is real but only fun and joy.
  
• I appreciate the internet and computer which helps me learn, grow and connect with others.
  
• I am grateful for my health so that I can function normally, especially seeing a close friend who is in the hospital for cancer treatment.
  
• I appreciate every delicious breath that I take.
  
• I appreciate my family who is in close proximity and would offer help whenever I need.
  
• I am grateful for having healers around me for exchange.
  
• I am grateful for all the options that are available because I get to choose how to live my life.

However, it might not be helpful if you try too hard to be positive about everything. If you feel like crap, then just dive into it, and be thankful for the reminder that you are still alive. I suppose you can call it as "gloomy positivity."  
  

2. Put yourself into priority:

Ask yourself: what is the appropriate thing to do right now in order for you to move forward gracefully?

It is really all about you. Sure, we can be compassionate and continuously give to others, but get this straight- we have to start with ourselves first.

• Go meditate/ have a drink/ go party/ get inspired/ etc.
  
• Step back and see from a third person point of view. You have been good at giving advice, so why not learn from yourself from that perspective?
  
• Maybe it is not all about you. So stop focusing on yourself, and start to get distracted by others who are less fortunate than you, like your friend who is feeling like crap in the hospital.

3. Everything you and others do are out of love:

Recently, I watched this movie called "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" which gave me this great insight. It is about this guy who was born with an unusual superior sense of smell. He found a girl with an euphoric scent whom he ended up killing by accident. He was then determined to find a way to preserve such scent through the route of murder. I am not going to give the plot away but this theme is what stuck with me, and then suddenly, everything felt okay after realizing that "it's all out of love."

See from the perspective that all the crap we have done, others have done to us, or things that we have regretted doing was out of love:

• The unhealthy ___(such as food, partner, substance) that you might have indulged in was done through the love of indulgence and making yourself feel good. You loved it at the moment, right?
  
• The crazy roommate that you put up with was through the love and compassion you have for all beings.
  
• The guy who was being a jerk was acting the way he was because he actually cared about you/ himself- which are no different since we are all one...
  
• You slacked off because you needed a break. It is completely fine to take care of yourself and slow down.
  
• You might have felt like you wasted time and energy on ______, but the fact is, you were living it up! That is all that matters then.

4. Do something that would shift or distract you from the state which you need to move on from:

• Get some healing from others, such as energy work or massage. Let someone else do the work for you. You have already taken the step of self healing with this intention.
  
• Get active: go play some sport, be in nature, make art, connect with people who care about you, connect with new people, etc.
  
• Pamper yourself, and ideally, it should be something that you can easily feel grateful for.
  
• Traveling-- can be refreshing and help with being in the moment through unfamiliar stimulation.
  
• Take a break and find your neutral space. What does it feel like to be in your own energy?

Most of all, it is about balance and understanding that nothing really matters. You have nothing to lose. What you have is not permanent. Seriously. The current keeps on flowing and there is no need to hold on to anything. It is all okay after all. Be good to yourself and look forward to your exciting future.