How to Show Up on Difficult Days

Lets Face it We all Have Bad Days

Some days you wake up and things just seem to go down hill and you want a re do. Sometimes it is the stories we tell ourselves and the lies we make up and sometimes it has to do with external problems or health issues. However, all we can do is move forward and make the best of it knowing we get another chance tomorrow. Sometimes, it is best to take a day off, but the problem is often we get caught in the victim mentality and wallow in our grief or frustration. I personally try to wake with thoughts of gratitude, but even then, after having my coffee and interacting with others, sometimes the day seems to unravel in a downward spiral. What I have learned is The Law Of Attraction is powerful. Ok, so what I mean by that is that when you choose to change your mindset to one of positivity you will attract positive outcomes. It is not easy my friends, but it is possible.

This works with both positivity and negativity.

Just two days ago I woke feeling like it was going to be an incredibly productive positive day. Oh yes, you know whats coming….BOOM. An hour later everything was going wrong. How could this be when I was in a positive mindset? The answer is sometimes we are tested. My contact page on my website was not working, and because I care deeply about you all, I was frustrated that I may have missed your attempts to reach out to me. I am not great on the tech side of computers so it took me most of the day and I still did not solve the problem. I did what I know to do and “let it go” for the day. The next morning I got up and sat at my computer and everything fell perfectly into place. I got frustrated but I was able to maintain a positive mindset. So what ever is causing you to feel out of alignment accept it and observe it. Find your resiliency.

How Do We Show Up on Difficult Days

There are days when we think we simply cannot go on. We want to hide or isolate ourselves. The best thing we can truly do is continue to face those challenges with courage. In yoga teacher training my guru, Amber Gean, taught me that there will be days when you do not have love or inspiration to give, but you have to leave your baggage at the door, show up, and its ok to say very little on those days. Amber, and yoga teacher training, taught me many life lessons, but that was perhaps the single best piece of advice that I can share. Simply show up and know better days are coming. As my own mom used to say, “this too shall pass.” 

So face your fears, face those god awful days, and know that it is all temporary. Have faith that better days are on the horizon. Your natural state is one of joy. So let the difficult emotions flow through you, but allow yourself to return to joy. We do not always have control over what happens, but we do have control over what we say, how we respond, and the choice of our mindset. So choose to face difficulties with grace. 

Tools to Get Through Hard Times

• Get on your yoga mat-yoga classes are extremely accepting places where you can feel calm, safe, and secure. You become grounded and your sense of fight or flight is diminished.

• Practice the Pause-When you find yourself breathing faster and getting worked up take a few deep breaths and pause before you respond. 

• Exercise-take a walk, hit the gym, find what movement allows you to relax and take your mind off what is troubling you.

• Show up-remember, it is ok to say very little. Just do what you have to do and push through.

• Reward yourself for being corageous-at the end of difficult days reward yourself with a healthy delicious meal, watch a movie, or take a bath.

• Believe-always believe that things are happening for a reason. Not everyday will be good, but there is something good in every day. Believe in yourself and know that this too shall pass.

• Seek Support-depending on each situtaion different support may be necessary. We are social creatures. Sometimes friends and family are enough, sometimes we need the help of a life coach or psychiatrist. Evaluate the level of difficulty and know there is help available. Sometimes we simply need to be heard, sometimes we need validation, and sometimes we just need a little advice. Ultimately the answers we seek are already within, but talking things through can create a new awareness. 

• Surrender-we do not have to understand everything. Sometimes we just need to surrender to what is.

Mindfully Yours,

Libby

P. S. I want to leave you with an invitation to join my mailing list for upcoming newsletters and events by clicking the link to my contact page. Please accept my apology if I missed you while my website was not properly connected and reach out again. Comment below and share with us how YOU get through hard days. Coming together as a community we offer each other great advice and inspiration and through that we all gain awareness.

8 Tools for Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

Looking at Obstacles as Gifts

Facing life’s obstacles usually surfaces negative emotions such as fear, worry, disappointment and shame. But, when we let go of attachment to outcome and accept each situation as it is it is easier to digest. What if you looked at each obstacle as a gift rather than a set back? There is a Chinese Proverb that states, “ In every crisis, there is opportunity.” One of our greatest gifts is the ability to look at obstacles as a chance to see or do things we may have otherwise missed. They may in fact lead us to our true purpose and put us on a far better path. So whether you are struggling with a relationship, a job, finding your purpose in life, struggling financially or anything else please use the following tools and never give up. Something better is always around the corner.

8 Tools for Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

1. Practice the Pause Any time you feel you have been thrown off course practice the pause. Stop what you are doing, close your eyes if possible, and take several long inhales and exhales through your nose. Feel your shoulders come down away from your ears. Now, examine the road block from all angels. After practicing the pause we are better equipped to see things from multiple perspectives rather than a place of ego reactivity.

2. Examine the Emotion Allow yourself to feel any and all emotion that may surface when an obstacle is put in front of you. Try to observe your feeling and then go deeper into the why. What is the root of the emotion. If you are angry it is because anger or fear is within you but why? Once you understand the root cause you can begin to heal. Expectation is often the root of heartache. Try to see things how they really are rather than how you perceive them to be. 

3. Accept the Situation as it is Forget about how you thought things were supposed to be and accept them for what they are. When we face road closures we naturally find an alternative route; often following the detour signs in front of us. Well, what if we follow the signs of the universe and surrender to what is. Better things are on the way.

4. Forgive Yourself We are naturally our biggest critic. When we face obstacles in life it is not a failure, but instead a learning opportunity. As long as we learn from our mistakes and try not to repeat them we will grow into better versions of ourselves. Forgive yourself and then eventually forgive others who may have been involved. Holding grudges gets us no where. 

5. Allow the Process Stay present and remove the mental blockages in front of you that are keeping you stuck. When you trust yourself fully you will be able to take whatever you fear or dislike that is invisibly in front of you and put it behind you. Yes, it is all still there but now you are able to move forward rather than feeling like you are walking into a brick wall. For example if you are in a relationship where trust has been broken, and both people are trying to mend the relationship, the imagined obstacle in front of you is the pattern being repeated. There is always that chance, but if we move that behind us, we are able to move forward with positive momentum. If the pattern repeats itself then you must trust yourself enough to walk away. 

6. Continue Forward Momentum Never give up on your dreams or your passions. Obstacles may set us back or redirect that so that we find our higher purpose. Look for a positive outcome. Staying stuck in a deep pothole will not help. Yes, it is ok to cry or throw a short pity party, but then pick yourself up by your bootstraps and continue forward. Life is a journey with no particular destination except to reach the best possible version of yourself, the Divine within, or ultimate enlightenment. It does not matter how we get there or how many set backs we face as long as we persevere. It takes great courage to forge into the unknown but with that courage comes great results.

7. Give Back Consider getting involved with something or someone whose purpose is far greater than yours. Being a part of a greater collective raises positive energy. We have all heard of the saying Give and You Shall Receive, well when speaking the language of the universe when we give our time and or efforts to help others karma will return those well wishes to us in the way we desire. 

8. Let Go of External Validation I learned through my Yoga Teacher Training that the answers we seek are already within us. And, through life's experiences I can tell you with great certainty this is the truth. People love to offer you advice, but they rarely follow what it is they advise. Often our self esteem and vibration are lowered by the advice or opinions of people we love and respect because we do not like to disappoint. We are naturally programmed to please others when in reality if we would simply please ourselves others would be drawn to our authenticity. You do not need approval from anyone. Simply say and do things that bring yourself and those around you happiness. 

If you are looking for more inspiration watch this!

We Were Each Born with a Unique Purpose

When I taught yoga for Avon they shared their beautiful philosophy with me that everyone has a unique story. We were each born with unique passions, talents, and traits. Life may take us down a winding road and we may hit some bumps along the way, but share your story with the world. Overcoming obstacles allows us to move forward from the victim stage and take back our power that is always within. Stand up for yourself, be your own advocate. Life may be difficult at times and there may be bad days, but there is always something good in each day. Look for the tiny miracles occurring all around you and find comfort knowing you were created not to survive, but to thrive. Live the life you love and love the life you live. Also, get comfortable with your discomforts because again, that is the catalyst for growth. Each day, each choice we make, can put us one step closer to the life we desire. Remember, you are the author of your story. If you do not like how things are going yell, “plot twist,” and write a new chapter. Add or erase characters and write your own happy ending. 

With Passion & Perseverance,

Libby

P. S. If you enjoyed this blog please scroll down under the tags and hit the heart to share some love. I believe in you and appreciate you being a part of this positive community. If you have insights for how you have personally overcome obstacles please comment below. Stay tunes for a new blog each Monday. Next week I will be offering stretches to relieve low back pain! Also, please sign up on the website to receive our newsletter~if you cannot find the sign up button write me on the contact form and I will take care of you!