How do you survive the downtimes?

Awwww, how can anyone as cute and talented as you have downtime? You just pick right up and keep going, my friend and welcome back. Big hugs, too.

As a Zen practitioner, I see that one thing that is so in life is that whatever goes on is impermanent. That is to say that everything that has a beginning has an ending, and so whether it is good or bad, I see that it will change and move towards its opposite. I have had bad times with health and with finances and other things through my life, and I know that whilst all is fine at the moment, it would be unreasonable to expect that they bad times won't come again. Sharing is a great way to deal with things, not because it will make anything better, but because it takes the sting out of things to know that there are people out there who understand because they experience these bad times too. The bad times, provide a lesson in living life and can often give us strength. Without darkness there can be no light. Without bad times, there can be no good times. We grow stronger because... if nothing could go wrong and everything was OK all the of the time, we would end up pretty weak! )_Derek

about two years ago this time. i couldn't mylot any more for a while because my family and i became homeless. my husband's money wasn't enough to pay the bills, and i was sick (couldn't hold job because of my illness). we couldn't afford to pay our bills. eventually we couldn't afford our hotel anymore, so we really did wind up on the streets. we would pick the kids up from school and then ride the buses all night long until we couldn't any more, then we would stay at a hospital in the lobby areas. a shelter finally opened up. we had to all split up because we didn't have a marriage license at the time. my daughter was sick without her dad, my son was worried, and so was i. finally some family sent for us to move to another state. whew! this is where the changes started to happen. we stayed with my husband's family for about a year and my husband worked. we were able to save some money because we didn't have high bills to pay. then it happened.......my disability came through and my husband go appointment to be my live in care taker. so that makes extra money in the household! next, we got our housing! all this took two years! i though we had bad luck or something. i couldn't see the light. i thought we were never going to get out. that passed, we did get out. whatever situation you are in, don't worry, you will see your way out of it too. good luck to you.

The main recipe to overcome problems is to approach God. I am a christian and I believe that with God's strength, even with the most difficult time that we encounter, we will still be able to survive and continue living. Along with that, we also need to reach out to your partners/family in life. When I was in college, I thought I could not graduate because of the high tuition fee and my parents business was not that big enough to generate enough money for me to continue schooling. Together with my family's strength, we decided to let my brother stop schooling while I go continue. Indeed, I graduated and when I found a job, I let my brother continue his schooling. Now, both of us are working. :)

I think that in order to get past the hard times, you need to focus on the good times you've had and the good times that will come in the future. They always say that it's always darkest before dawn and I believe in it. You just have to believe that your life is worth something and you are here for a purpose. Everyone is. It's only the weakest person who thinks other wise. Keep your head up. Everything will turn out right in the end if you allow it.

Honestly everyone has those times, and experiences. It's just beyond me how other people manage to suppress the feeling, because according to me, if times are hard you need a strong pillar and support. So to answer your question yes I've had bad times and if it weren't for m mum I don't know how I was gonna be able. Other people say you must surround yourself with positive people, I find other people to actually just like hearing your story and even if they don't laugh but they have something to talk about. So find someone you can truly trust.

Positive Thinking Mimpi, no matter how hard it is. You have to believe in yourself and believe that things will get better. Sometimes, things are not in our control and we try our best without seeing much success. But things do turn around in unexpected ways . I’m sharing this based on my actual experiences after having gone through what I think is the bleakest time in my past. People around you, both family and friends will always be there. You are a strong and amazing person and will come through this short phase. I’m very sure.

Yes, there is a downtime in everyone's life and I also agree that each one handles it differently. I take it in my stride and most often than not discover a new self or a quality in me that I never even knew existed. I find that it is easy for me to re-bounce back to life and move along whatever happens. I can't really share my stories here but I believe that I have the strength to move on and not sit and brood about setbacks. I hope things get better at your end. My prayers are with you. *Hugs*

I have had my share of these and I am still unable to get over some of the lingering sadness within.That is because I am far too emotional and ought to be slightly harder.The key to this is essentially detachment but it is easier said than done.I keep reminding myself that things go according to God's plan and we have no other choice except to move on.But there would always be a slight yearning for "the might have been's "; I cannot go into details here but when we look at things with a slightly more objective eye and some distance our perspective changes and a bit of practicality steps in to tidy over the emotional thinking. My prayers are with you mimpi dear and take heart that whatever it is , it would soon pass. Trust parents are keeping normal health.

Hi mimpi! Before me many friends have written motivational responses and have given some very good suggestions so that you could overcome your problems and temporary crisis. Last year in the month of June I faced horrible time and I had to pass through one of the worst phases of my life. I did not lose my cool. I made myself understand that 'worrying' is not going to help, what has to happen will happen and I need to take it on my stride. It is a fact that we 'worry' for lots of things, which actually do not happen in our life. With the wishes and blessings of friends/relatives and above all with the grace of the great God, the 'testing period' passed and life gradually life started coming back to normal. It is, therefore, nothing is permanent and each phase will pass and we sometimes do not realize how it passes. Remember, time does not stop, it keeps moving like a flowing river so nothing is stationary, everything 'changes'. Hopefully, things will also improve in your life and normalcy will return soon. Our best wishes and blessings are always with you. In one of my discussion, dear friend 'allknowing' shared this wonderful and meaningful poem with us. I am reproducing the same: [i] "[b]God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.[/b] [/i] Reinhold Niebuhr Hope this poem will help you calm down. Have a nice weekend.

It is prayers that save one in times of extreme difficulties.Whenever a crisis strikes, it is best to rely on the helpful gesture of the Almighty. The trials and tribulations which everyone has to face at some point of time in one's life stand as challenges which are hard to overcome. But once when God is allowed to interfere in matters things find viable solutions.

Hi mimpi! I think myLot is a wonderful cushion for down times. It can definitely be a tool. I think that I survive down times by finding purpose. I look specifically for the good even when there is none really. If there is none to be seen, I have to think that there will be some sooner or later from whatever it is that I am dealing with. So far I have not been disappointed in that manner. Sooner or later it comes. Take care.

Hi Mimpi, I've had my share of downtimes too, in fact, too many to count. And I agree, sometimes they come not only in twos, but in multiples, as they say, when it rains, it pours - sadly, in a not-so-positive way. There were times when I felt there's no end to those bad stuff, but then I manage to shake off the negative energy and come out of it maybe not always victorious, but always a learned and better person. What is important is I'm still here in this world, standing proud, ready to face another challenge, another chapter in which to learn, to gain wisdom. I feel you, coz I've been there. My prayers to go you, and I know you'll do just fine. Happy to see you here again.

Yeah it is very hard to survive those difficult times. When we do we definitely learn a lot more about ourselves whether good or bad. We can learn from it and do our best to improve when we face the next set of trials that are bound to come our way. I hope that your life will improve for the better soon. I wish that I had a motivational story to tell. But for the last few years my life as been in turmoil as well. I'm hoping that it will improve as well. I agree with you that mylot has been a great support system. Just remember that every trial will end. It will not last forever.

Hi mimpi my friend, were always here for you just come back whenever you need us. Mylot is our comfort zone and people here are always willing to listen and give us advise. Most of my downtimes I seek help with my friends, I just thought God don't give us problems if we are feeble and can't handle the problems that He gave to us. Only we have to do is to think and pray that we can handle it wisely. My prayers is with you mimpi. Take care.

In everyones life there are good times and bad and i am no exception.When i was 24 years old i was diagonized with MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, a progressive neuromuscular disease where all the body muscles degenerate losing their flexibility and never regenerate again.That means one becomes invalid for life.When the doctors told this to me i instantly made up my mind never to bow down to the disease but keep fighting it.It was a losing battle but i fought on and was walking till the age of 48 after which i became wheelchair bound permanently. My condition is still the same and can`t stand or walk and have to be helped in everything.However i have a strong will,a positive and cheerful attitude and many people are inspired when they visit or meet me.I have learned to take everything in life with equanimity and never to get disturbed or depressed.My condition has made me forsake many of lifes pleasures which a normal person takes for granted but i am the least bothered as i have realized that this is the cross i have to bear,just as Jesus did. Jesus bore the cross in a symbolic way to tell people that life brings many crosses in ones life and one should bear them without any rancour or distress but to accept whatever comes in ones life with grace and humility.

I always turn to God when i have something i cannot say to others, i talk to Him like He is there... just let my heart out. My family and friends have given me support too- without them i wouldn't be able to solve my problems..

I hope things get better for you soon! For me most of my down times came from financial struggles. Living in the tent had to be the hardest. My husband and I with our newborn. Worst time in our marriage financially but I have to tell you I cannot remember a time when we were closer than at that point. We fully relied on the Lord and each other and we overcame it. Now when I look back I think it brought our marriage much stronger. The Lord knows what He is doing. Things will get better, keep your head up and dont forget to smile once in a while. =) This too shall pass... Your in my thoughts and prayers!

We have been undergoing everything that you have stated in your post.I would like to say to you that ups and downs are part of life and nobody can escape them.Ups in life make us dance with joy.Downs discourage us.I am trying to deal with both the situations with equanimity.I know I have to drag ahead somehow,and I am doing the same.At the same time I am trying my best to change my situation.I believe in God and have left everything on Him.Time will take care of itself.

ya everyone does have sad story to tell in, his or her life but the things that we do to overcome it is the true excellence.i have only one word for you be yourself and do as you do and don't change for others unless you wishes to.may good god bless you my friend.