Pity party averted -- survival guide

I was about to get out the streamers and the confetti and even the big pity party sign (i only pull that one out on special occasions 8)), but I prayed.. Prayed on what to do, what to work on, where to go. I often do this. I try to (not enough) ask what I should work on next. God (in Spirit, or the Spirit, or positive helpers, sometimes all) will nudge me... or just life will. It can be something that exercises what i need to work on or something happens that shows me (sometimes in a tough way) that I have something I need to do, whether it be to forgive, to let certain thoughts go, to be open-minded, to just be, to work on something specific... It happens gently and usually it happens quickly... If i ask, "What do I need to do to help my growth?" I hear about a book or Anne Lamott (or Elizabeth Gilbert or Brave Girls Club or Trent Reznor 8), etc) write something so prolific, I know I must act. I know I must think on that morsel. It can be something I have read so many times, but it's for that one moment, it transforms my path into something completely different. These down times can feel so lonely and terrible, but in those times, we find peace and we grow. The world looks different, my burden seems lighter, and I see ways to make it even lighter than it is now. I am working on that... I can find ways to make my life (even somewhat) better. I got down because I am not able to do as much as I feel I need to do or want to do. We are learning to prioritize but it takes time and practice 8).

So here is a survival guide: If you are down, some options are to:

1. Pray, think, meditate, just be, yoga, just rest for a moment to be, etc.
2. find 5 things you are thankful for.
3. in every moment, even if it's hard, find the bright side out of it.
4. We all need to cry, talk things out, etc. It's good to do these things, It just can be hard to get out after days and weeks, etc. I try to set myself a time. 1 minute of being angry, then I have to get myself back to calm. I can do so again, it just helps to know you can get back... So many times, calm feels better and I can understand the situation more. Journals are tremendous. Live journal is great in that you can make posts just to yourself. I treat that like a personal journal sometimes as it has an app as well.
5. do something you love, read, paint, write, whatnot.
6. hug a child, hug a family member.
7. list 5 reasons you love the person you're looking at, even if you're looking in the mirror.

i know i will think of more...

Be well. Peace, love and light... until next time