Radiant living amid challenging times is hard. When you feel you are breaking in multiple pieces, gluing these pieces back together feels impossible…each piece is like an open wound with a pain that you once thought it was forgotten.

And when it feels too much for one person to carry, remember this:

• You are not the experience you are having. Yes, it is hard, but it is one of many experiences you will be having in this journey of life. No experience should define it. Your life is meant to be the sum of all experiences and not be limited to the negative one you might be going through at this time.
• Take care of yourself. Sleep, rest, do whatever you need to keep yourself together. Even some good cries.
• Act. You might not be able to problem-solve overnight but if there is one step that could be taken, that is what you can do and should do … Each step you take is a domino that will be building momentum for positive change.
• Surround yourself with what or whom you love: nature, books, friends, family,…These positive experiences and energy giving sources will sustain you during the more difficult times. It might feel like luxury or fluff to take a nature hike but that is the oxygen tank for the chapter ahead.
• Have a schedule. Don’t give up to your routine or all goals that make life meaningful to you. Some parts of life will be deprioritized but don’t put everything and everyone on pause because of these hard times. Think what is most meaningful to you and give yourself permission to still pursue building some meaning and wonder in your life.

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” — Henry Ford

One day, you will look back at this experience, and you will understand the lessons it taught you, the strength it helped you build and the perspectives it created.  And often, it is the hardest of life experiences that also build the most strength and character … and it is this strength and not this experience that will be defining your life.