Seven Steps through the Storm

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Miss Lhea J. Love

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Jun 25, 2007, 7:04:07 AM6/25/07

to The Griot's Message

from "When"
by Lhea J. Love

When your abused hand spurns to be abusive
Your exploited heart votes not to exploit
Though violated, neglects the intrusive
While addressing the wrongs others avoid
When you can divorce real from pessimism
And wholly follow the Optimist's Creed
When you can wean humor from cynicism
And protect your heart from callous when it bleeds.

*******

In your life, there will be someone who hates what you love; who mocks
what you stand for. There will be people who gossip and joke at your
expense. There will be times when you are in close quarters with those
who do not support you, those who do not understand you, and simply,
those who do not like you.

Luckily, you do not have to please the world before you can find
happiness within yourself. You do not have to be adored by everyone
who knows you before you can love yourself. You do not have to be
supported by everyone around you before you can pursue your own
dreams.

Here are seven things to do and remember in adversity:
1. Love yourself. Spend at least 60 seconds in the mirror each morning
reminding yourself why.
2. Take care of yourself. Times of adversity are the worst times to
overeat, or undereat. Use this period to dance, jog and/or lift
weights.
3. Surround yourself. Spend time with people who love and support you.
If you can not reach them, keep photographs of loved ones in your
wallet, in your house or in your workplace.
4. Write to yourself. Once a year write a letter to yourself. Mention
your strength and your potential; write the dreams and goals you have
for yourself. Set a future date to revisit the letter after 1 year, 5
years or 7 years time.
5. Pamper yourself. Set weekly, monthly and annual goals. Host a
private award ceremony, a pamper session, each month celebrating your
achievements thus far. On this day endulge, a little.
6.Prepare yourself. Seek guidance and good counsel from mentors. If
you do not have a mentor in your life, seek the wisdom role models:
your favorite author's book, your pastor's sermon, your favorite
singer's CD.
7. Pray. Meditate.

"Someone was hurt before you; wronged before you; hungry before you;
frightened before you; beaten before you; humiliated before you; raped
before you; yet, someone survived.
--Maya Angelou