I felt both overwhelmed and scared. I’m someone who always needs a plan. Here are the baby steps I’m taking to get through the challenges ahead:

*I allowed myself a freak out, but I did it away from the kids. They knew that I was upset, but I had to set the tone and I did that by staying calm.

*Take care of the duty of the moment. At 8pm on a Friday night, there was no way we could fix the problem. Instead, we set it to the side, and enjoyed a movie and ice cream evening. This may sound counter-productive, but I thought a bonding break was in order.  That was the duty of the moment.

*Start making lists. I am already thinking about what we need to do in order to deal with the challenges ahead. Some changes are going to need to be made around our house and with our future, but this is do-able. I started with mental lists and now I’m writing it all out.  I keep moving forward a little bit at a time.

We are a family and we will get through anything that is thrown at us together. I like to think of myself as someone who can fix anything. Now it’s time to put that idea into action.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Post from: Blisstree

Tackle A Challenge In 3 Steps

Doesn’t it seem that when something is bothering us, we think we’re the only person on the planet experiencing whatever that hurdle is?

Weight gain, career issues, family issues (I KNOW my family is weirder than yours)…kids, husband, house…whatever it may be — we believe we are all alone.

And sometimes it’s not really a hurdle, as much as it is a character trait:

I like to pretend I’m a Broadway dancer, play the soundtrack from A Chorus Line and dance around my office.

I’ve never told anyone that small little tid bit, because like so many of us, I’m afraid of being judged or ridiculed — plus who would I tell?

Truth be told, since I left the traditional work place to start The Pet Set, I have less true friends.

Recently, I experienced a blip my personal health screen, which had me worrying for days.

Keeping everything to myself, I reviewed my entire family’s health history and decided that I probably have 2 years to live.

(I’m exhausted just thinking about my crazy thought process.)

Then one day, I decided to have a chat with a friend of mine, who with sensitivity and wisdom, blurted out:

EVERY WOMAN I KNOW is going through what you are describing:->

This does not discount the need for me to get checked out…but boy I sure don’t feel as hopeless or lame.

Share with your girl friends.

Post from: Blisstree

Girlfriends Are Fabulous