Words To Live By

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Image by Roman Grac from Pixabay

Life is wonderful, isn’t it? Yet, things in life can be difficult. Sometimes even overwhelming.

What do we do when this happens? I choose a word of the day to help me get through struggles and trials. Thinking of a specific word, chosen for the specific situation, helps me get through hardships in a positive way. A way that leads to emotional resilience, mental fortitude, and spiritual growth.

Through the years, my WORDS TO LIVE BY list has grown. So, take a look, and give it a try. And see if these words will help you get through your own challenges in a better way.

WORDS TO LIVE BY

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ACCEPT

Stop trying to get around or away from the challenge. Embrace it and go through it. And learn from it.

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ACT

Take control of the situation by acting, not reacting.

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ALIGN YOUR GOALS

Evaluate what’s good, what’s not, what’s working, what isn’t. Make necessary changes.

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ALLOW YOUR EMOTIONS

If it’s a terrible situation, then don’t pretend it isn’t. Think through what you can do to fix it. Don’t stay in a terrible situation. Allow your feelings, along with allowing yourself time to make it better.

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BE BOLD

Find the courage to do the right things.

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BE CALM

Emotions are allowed, yet don’t let them take over. It’s your life. Stay in control of it.

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BE COMPASSIONATE

What are others going through? Who else is being affected by the challenge you are going through? Make room for them in your heart. It will help you to heal. Them also.

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BE DIRECT

Does this hardship involve another person? Does this person even know? Communicate. Things might work out. If they don’t, you will have the self-confidence in knowing that you tried.

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BE FIRM

Stand for the truth, stand for what you know is right. Regardless of the outcome, you will know you did what you could and should have done.

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BE FUN

Which is different from having fun. Act cheerful and happy, and your attitude will change for the better.

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BE GRATEFUL

Focus on the good things, the blessings you have.

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BE NICE

Going through a trial does not give you a free pass to be angry with the world. Show the world kindness, and watch good things happen.

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BE RESPECTFUL

You may not change people’s minds. You may not get your way. You may have to see things through someone else’s perspective. Learn from this. It will make you a better person.

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BREATHE

Take a moment to take calming deep breaths.

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BUILD

Create a solid foundation, and go from there.

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CARE

Ask yourself what matters most.

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CHANGE

Why this trial? Why this problem? Where is the solution going to come from? Are you what needs to change?

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CONSIDER THE IMPACT

What are your actions or non-actions going to do? Will they help or hinder?

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CREATE

Do something creative. Put your mind on something else for a while.

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EMPATHIZE & SYMPATHIZE

Look at the situation from someone else’s point of view. Feel what they are feeling.

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ENDURE

Sometimes you just have to tough it out.

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ENGAGE

Be all-in. Find solutions and answers.

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EXERCISE

Let off some steam at the gym or the track. Go outside and be in nature.

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FIND ALTERNATIVES

Remember there are more ways than just one.

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FOCUS

Don’t wait for a challenge to go away. It probably won’t. Take charge, and see it through.

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FORGIVE

And if necessary, forget. Let go, and move on.

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GROW

What will you learn from this? Allow yourself to grow through this trial.

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HAVE FUN

Take a break. Watch a funny movie. Read an uplifting book. Talk to family. Go out with friends.

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INVOLVE GOD

This should be a constant. Pray. Talk to God. He gets it. He will help and will be with you the whole time.

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JUST TALK

To yourself, to a close friend, to a mentor, to siblings, to parents, to your spouse, to God. Talking things out helps with your perspective and your plans.

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LAUGH

Find the fun and humor in day-to-day things. Laughing boosts your spirits.

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LISTEN

To good advice. To the one you are struggling with. To your inner voice. To God.

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LISTEN TO CALMING MUSIC

Make a playlist of soothing music for these moments.

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LOOK OUTWARD

Who can you help? Who needs a listening ear, an understanding friend, or just help with laundry or grocery shopping? Look outside of yourself and your own troubles. See how calming it is and how good it will make you feel.

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LOVE

Even if it’s just in the way that you think. If you love someone inwardly, it will show outwardly.

Image by Jakub Luksch from Pixabay

MAKE TIME

Trials often take time to work through. More time than we want them to. So, don’t rush the results.

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NOTICE YOUR THOUGHTS

Are you finding yourself continually saying “Why me?” Or “Why now?” Or “This can’t be happening!” Change those thoughts to something that is helpful, such as “I will be blessed for my efforts.” Or “Good things are still happening.” Or “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Or “Heavenly Father continues to love me.”

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PINPOINT THE PROBLEM

Can this be fixed? How? Do you need more information? Study it out, and come up with a solution.

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PRIORITIZE

Is this as big as you think it is? How important is this in your life? Can you simplify and turn this mountain into a molehill?

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RELAX

Worrying probably won’t change things, so relieve yourself of that burden.

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REPENT & REPAIR & RESTORE

Often, troubles come because we are human. Take hold of what is your doing, your responsibility, and fix it.

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SEEK MEANING

What can you learn from this trial? What should you be learning?

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SING OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT

Let off some steam by singing a song from a favorite musical. Or letting your fingers fly across the piano keys.

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SLOW DOWN

Are you trying to do too much? Is your life falling apart because of this? Reevaluate your schedule and make room for free time.

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SMILE

It makes others happy. And it makes you feel better and look better.

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VALUE

Take trials as what they are meant to be: life’s lessons and experiences. This is why we are here on Earth, so we can learn and grow. We are valuable in God’s eyes.

I hope this list of words helps you to endure and overcome your own personal challenges in life. Choose one word a day, don’t overwhelm yourself. And if that word isn’t working for you, then choose a different one. Or, keep the same word, if it’s what you need. And add to this list with words that work for yourself and your own situations.

Let’s allow ourselves some grace and understanding as we go through life’s struggles and experiences. And let’s grow and learn from life. We have been given a wonderful opportunity to be here on Earth together, so let’s enjoy it!

Crafting wishes,

Marilee

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