Fun Spirit: How to Stay Positive When Your Life Is Falling Apart.

Gas prices are rising. Bills need to be paid. Ordinary tasks are confusing and difficult. Like dominoes falling in a row, problems are piling up. Frustration and irritation follow you like a cloud of doom. How do you keep your sense of humor and sanity while you’re standing in the downpour?

When troubles come knocking at your door, how do you retain your inner calm and stay balanced so you don’t let stress and anger aggravate the problems you already have? It’s easy to be peaceful when things are going well, but having a few ready-to-use techniques when you're overwhelmed is very helpful.

Here’s a few of the ideas I use to help keep myself centered:

Call a friend. Find someone to talk to, who can keep your troubles private, while letting you vent and perhaps even give you a fresh perspective on your problem.
Write a daily gratitude journal. This can be vital in helping you see the good things in life. Just this simple step can help you feel more in control of your life, aware and in charge.
Have some chicken soup. Literally and figuratively. Have a big bowl of comforting homemade chicken soup and pour over inspirational stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul. Both body and mind will get a lift.
Find your motivation. What helps you feel better? Faith and church, friends and family, proving your worth? Maybe you need a day away from your problems to gain perspective. Look for what motivates and excites you into action.
Let go of what you can’t change. Don’t hold on to guilt and pain about things that are out of your control or that have already happened. Instead focus on improving what you can and do your best to move forward towards your goals.
Count your triumphs, not your failures. Remember to give yourself a pat on the back for all the smiles you’ve given, the love you shared, and the gifts you’ve given. When your good outweighs your bad, you’re on the right track.
Give yourself some credit. When things go bad and we make mistakes, we may tend to forget the good things we’ve done. Keep a folder of people thanking you, certificates of your skills, and other tidbits of your better days. Look it over when you’re feeling unloved and unappreciated.