"A pearl is a beautiful thing that is produced by an injured life. It is the tear [that results] from the injury of the oyster. The treasure of our being in this world is also produced by an injured life. If we had not been wounded, if we had not been injured, then we will not produce the pearl."

Stephan Hoeller

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You may have noticed I wasn't on the show last week, when Dorothy Anona Morgan was gracious enough to sit in on my behalf. 

Off the air, I have been going through some trying times, in which I have had to come to the aid of another person.  This particular situation has involved complete self-sacrifice, as well as requiring me to exercise the ability to see things from a unique perspective.  In tarot terms, I have had to surrender all control of the situation to God and embrace the lessons of the Hanged Man, as well as face the energies present in the Tower and Death cards.  The lessons I've learned along this journey are ones of love, faith, hope, deep gratitude and sacrifice.  In short, it has been extremely draining and challenging from every standpoint.  

Thankfully this difficult period is now coming to a close. Do I have regrets?  Not a one.  Why?  Because tough times show us exactly what we're made of.  They bring us closer to God and show us His power.  They remind us that we are never alone, and that sometimes we are only in control of so much (our actions, and our reactions). 

Which brings me to the topic at hand.  Honoring our spirit in trying times.  I'm talking about those times when life throws the really hard stuff at us, such as the death of a loved one, serious illness, or other major struggles and losses.  These are all events that affect us on a profound spiritual level.  They engage our souls.  The trouble is that while we are processing trauma, we still must take care of the mundane details of our lives in order to survive in this physical world.  The dishes have to be washed, laundry must be done, trash must be taken out, we still have to plan and prepare meals, go to work and pay the bills. Unfortunately the world just doesn't stop when we need to lick our wounds.  

Thought I'd share some coping mechanisms that I have
personally found very helpful:

Meditation
This is a hands-down cure-all in my book.  It can be as simple as taking a few cleansing breaths and clearing the mind of all conscious thought for a moment.  

Deep breathing
To breathe is to live! Here are some wonderful exercises to try.

Prayer 
Prayer to a Higher source helps to reinforce the concept of being part of something much larger, and through prayer we can surrender our troubles by placing the situation in the hands of God. 

Be grateful 
Having an "attitude of gratitude" works wonders!  What are you grateful for?  Focus on areas of life that are positive, and in doing so you will align yourself to receive more positivity in return.

Ask for help
Seek the advice, comfort and support of family, friends, or clergy.  Know your support system.

Take care of your body
Particularly at stressful times, it is helpful to avoid fatty, fried, or processed foods, as well as alcohol, caffeine and sugar.  Drink plenty of water and try to eat as healthy as possible.  Proper rest and exercise are also tremendously helpful in coping with stress. 

Journaling
The potential for great healing lies in journaling.  Writing about the situation, as well as your feelings toward it, can bring a great sense of release. 

      So how do YOU honor your spirit during the difficult times?