Trying to get your life together?

The song “Fine” by Jaymes Reunion gives a new perspective on the struggles we all face in life. It starts with a question about love and life… and the answer seems to be that we don’t truly appreciate anything until we’ve had to live without it.


The chorus goes like this:

You never really loved until you watch it fall apart
And you never really lived until you felt like you can die
And you never really stood until the weight has pushed you over
You’re pickin’ up the pieces just to find
You’re doin’ just fine

What is love if it isn’t tested? How sweet is life when it’s been plucked from the jaws of death? How much stronger are we when we’ve overcome obstacles? Even if it seems like life is falling apart, maybe it’s just coming together.

You may be the person who has always wanted to have it all together: the career, the family, the organized household, the interesting hobbies, the community leadership, and the ability to manage it all with style and grace.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to “have it all” in the eyes of the world. Life is full of hard decisions and sacrifices that have to be made. Life is an imperfect, unpredictable, tangled web of desires, responsibilities, intentions, experiences and hopes. The things that hurt the most may cause the most growth. Everything along the way, for better or for worse, makes you who you are.

Even as you strive to experience love, joy, and life, you may need to take the scenic route to get there.

Original post by Carrie Lee.  Used with permission.

Free stress solutions II

6. Journal. Why not spend five minutes writing freely about your life and about the things you love? Write down everything you appreciate in your life or write about plans you’d like to make for yourself in the future. Give yourself time to explore different ideas and see what comes to mind.


7. Spend time with an animal. Even if you work in the city, there’s always wildlife to be found. Listen to the birds chirping, walk over to a nearby dog park or visit a local restaurant with a fish tank. Animals have such a calming influence over us.  It’s a great way to learn how to take life one moment at a time.

8. Reflect on pleasant memories. If you’re working in an office you’ll have a photo or a memento of family or friends. Take a moment to think back about that day and reminisce about the “good times.”

9. Call a friend or make a date for yourself to do something fun. If you know there’s something wonderful to look forward to at the end of the day or week, it will make getting through the daily grind much easier.

10. Enjoy a small bite of dark chocolate. I didn’t say go out and grab a huge candy bar and eat the whole thing, but a small amount of organic dark chocolate will do wonders for your mood. Not only is it filled with wonderful antioxidants that are great for your health, but its sweet, luxurious taste will put a smile on your face!