How To Cherish Moments In Tough Times

When times are tough, whether you are going through a crisis or illness, or perhaps feeling financial pressure, or worrying about the future or your relationship, or the natural and/or man made disasters in the world, it can be difficult to remember that there are still moments that can be valued.

These precious minutes, as many or as few as they may be some days, are the glue holding you together when you feel like you, or things, are becoming unglued.

Whether currently, or at one time or another in our lives, I think most of us have experienced the feeling of not having control in a situation, or not knowing what to do, or what is the best decision, or a time where you might have felt helpless, or emotionally overwhelmed, or as if you just couldn't stand one more thing occurring.

The challenge arises when you become so enmeshed in the occurrence and in your emotions that putting one foot in front of the other is hard enough, let alone seeing and experiencing the goodness of other moments.

At times these moments might even seem to cease to exist. Oh, but they are there. These little rays of hope, happiness, freedom, peace, and love are there. 

Stress is part of life and therefore it's important to cherish as many quality moments as possible during your day, week, month, or year, so that when times are tough you have something to hold onto to and carry you through.

How can you find these little morsels of okayness when your world may seem to be crashing down around you or someone you know? 

You open your eyes, both your inner and outer eyes, and you open your heart that may be shutting others out, or feeling vulnerable, or without hope.

Some days you may have to look long and hard to find these times, but keep looking. Be open to seeing and receiving them.

Be with the feelings of uncertainty, hopelessness, unfairness, and others that may arise, but don't allow them to take over and cloud your vision of these treasured and blessed moments.

If you are struggling with finding and experiencing cherished moments, whether it be the quietness or presence within, or the kind-hearted people and the love still surrounding and supporting you, or the goodness that prevails, look outside to nature. There you will discover that even in the midst of chaos, beauty is still present.

God, or whatever you believe this to be, is there and has not forsaken you. The glue to keep you together is being offered to you.

Go to a window or step outdoors. Stop the internal dialogue and madness for a moment. What do you see right now? Really, don't just read this, do it instead. 

Perhaps it's the bluest of skies, or the white puffy clouds shape shifting, or the aliveness of the trees or flowers in bloom, or birds flitting about, or colourful leaves. Maybe it's the rays of golden sun beaming down, or the rain or snow glistening on the city streets, or sandy beaches lined with outstretching waters. Whatever you see, be present with it and breathe it in at least three times.

Whatever, or whomever it might be, you are being offered a precious moment of connection.

They are providing the glue to the unglued, hope to the hopelessness, joy to the sorrow, clarity through the confusion, encouragement to the discouraged, strength through the fear, rest for the weary, and peace through the anger.

The fact that you will look for, or are aware that these moving and sometimes magical moments do exist, will not only see you through your tough times, but often strengthen you and your faith so that no matter what, you will see the light through the darkness.

Keep a notebook handy and jot down the people and things you cherish in your day.

Review them often and add to them. 

Remember, "Tough times never last, but tough people do", Robert Schuller. 

The Insight Technique assists you in gaining insights and seeing the value in moments in your tough and stressful times.