Staying Strong Despite…

This question was posed on the CCM (Confraternity of Christian Mothers) group on which I occasionally find time to post.  If you like the title/topic, I encourage you to post your own list. 

While the post was written long ago (last fall), I kept it in my drafts.  Every time I came to blogger, I’d look at it and re-read it and wonder if I should post it.  Everyone has tough times…my tough doesn’t seem so tough compared to others’ tough! 

For quite a while, I didn’t post anything because (in my opinion) there wasn’t anything positive or nice to write by the time I sat in front of the computer.  When I sit down, it’s usually to correct schoolwork, and it had become very frustrating to correct.  Truly it left me in a bad mood, whether in the morning or in the evening, so it was just better NOT to write.

I’m not saying the schoolwork correcting is better, but it is less because the younger kids have finished a few subjects, leaving me more free time.  Marcus is older, too, which also gives more time for free thought.  I have a better handle on my other responsibilities… for the moment!

So, here’s my list of things I try to remember when life gets tough:

1. Pray without ceasing.  Just short little prayers…sometimes long, extended prayer just takes too much out of me, so I keep it short and sweet.

2. Adore Christ in the Eucharist and just pour it all out.

3. Read a ‘light’ book to take your mind off ‘it’.

4. Do not compare yourself or your family to others.  Only God is omniscient.

5. Keep asking for help from the saints.  Find the saint who can best help with your prayer of intercession.

6. Ask someone else to pray for your intention because sometimes you just need to ‘not think about the situation’.

7. Sometimes you just have to find somewhere you can holler at the top of your lungs and let the emotions go.  That may not sound very dignified, but believe me it’s better than keeping it all bottled up inside.

8. If at all possible find someone to talk to about the trial.  Preferably someone who is content to listen and only give advice if you are open and willing to hear advice.

9. Set a goal, no matter how small, that you know you can achieve.  Maybe it’s cleaning the counter OR getting your sink clean OR writing that Thank You you’ve been meaning to write and send for the last 6 mos. OR clearing one pile of stuff OR doing one load of laundry OR just getting dressed in the morning.  Whatever it is, do it and ALLOW yourself to feel good about accomplishing the goal.

10. De-clutter.  I know that may sound odd, but it’s what’s kept me going for the last couple months.  De-cluttering is a form of cleaning; it gets the un-needed materials into the hands of someone who needs them; it leaves less for me (and the kids) to pick up and therefore creates a more calm and clean home.

11. Get outside.  Sit on the porch and have a cup..chai in my case…or get moving by walking down the driveway to pick up the mail.

12. Make sure to take your vitamins.  When I’m stressed, I tend to get worn down easier and have a harder time sleeping.  Both contribute to illness – take extra D, C, B’s and Zinc if needed to compensate.