This is life in all its rawness. The challenges seem insurmountable, the pain too much to bear. You feel you’ ve hit your limit – you can’ t take anymore – and you wonder whether you can go on.

So what can you do? Try one of more of the tips below when the going gets tough.

Asking“ why” is a form of resistance, and you will notice the resulting tension as your body constricts, your breath quickens, your muscles( including your heart) clamp down, and your distress increases.

From a limited and pain-filled perspective, you may never understand why. It just is. You breathe through it. You feel through it. You go moment by moment through it. Maybe later— much later— you can revisit“ why” and find some answer that makes sense. Not now.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

If you don’ t have one, start building one now. These are the people you know you can count on. Tell them, as best as you are able, what you need.

Your support team can have several members. It may include a person to cry with or vent to, another you can simply sit and spend time with, and another whose task is to help you manage all the incoming information that your overloaded brain can’ t take in. Your team may include a neighbor to care for your pets, a co-worker to run interference with job tasks, or someone to set up a Meal Wheel that others can contribute to.

Don’ t forget to include your spiritual guides. Ask for guidance, comfort, and peace. Feel their loving presence around you. Let yourself be nurtured, nourished, and cared for.

You will likely ask the question,“ Why did this happen?”“ Why me?” But you will not find the answer in this highly emotionally time, so don’ t allow yourself to stay here long.

Your feelings may be a jumbled up mess. Emotions move like waves, at times calm and mild, other times intense and powerful. They can change rapidly, for no apparent reason. Feelings often defy logic. Whatever you feel, it’ s OK. Sadness, anger, loneliness, fear, despair, doubt, laughter, peace – each emotion has merit. Your feelings are giving you feedback about your experience, sending you messages that need to be recognized and attended to.