8 Practical Methods to Remain Empowered During Stressful Times
(c) 2001
Julie Jordan Scott

1. Acknowledge that requesting support, guidance and partnership
is not the same as being needy. Allowing someone else to give freely
to you primes the pump in the universal law of giving and receiving.
There are as many blessings to the giver as there are to the receiver:
being open to receiving invites flow as well as empowerment for all.

2. Continue to tap into any communities you are involved in prior to
your stressful situation. (Communities = Groups of people with whom you
have positive, interactive relationships on an ongoing basis.) Even
if it might feel more natural to withdraw, "showing up" will be the most
integral aspect of ongoing empowerment for you as well as for the
rest of the community.

3. Remain your authentic self even as you struggle. It is easy to
begin to perceive yourself as suddenly "less than" who you are when you are
challenged. Suggestions to staying steadfastly authentic include
repeating (and acting upon) positive affirmations, revisiting and
connecting to your life purpose and/or mission, request feedback from
positive friends.

4. Persist in centered-ness without being overly ego-centric. Be
completely self focused means being out of alignment. Both
grandiosity and self degradation are symptoms of an unhealthy
focus. Practice living on purpose through focusing upon who you
are being as you are in a stressful situation.

5. Make your requests known. While this may be difficult to do
when fully mired in the muck of a downward spiral, call to yourself
to make a practice of letting others know exactly what would
provide empowerment at this time. Ask not from a victim standpoint,
instead ask from a partnership perspective. Invite people to join
in partnership with you to provide solutions.

6. As a follow up to #5, gratefully accept the assistance your
partners choose to provide for you. Again, look towards them not as people
throwing you a life preserver, instead look at them as people who
are swimming alongside you to shore, encouraging and equipping
you to get there safely so you can in turn do the same for others
in the future.

7. Even at the most difficult phases of life, where you feel as if
you are completely tapped out, there is still room for you to give.
Oftentimes the joy of giving from the heart will elevate a soul enough
to begin bridging the gap from stress to joy.

8. Remember to always turn towards love. Grow towards greatness.
Be aware that there are two basic choices: love or fear. Always,
always, always focus upon love. Honor yourself with loving compassion
especially when you are in difficult times. Do not judge yourself.
Love yourself, attract love TO yourself, dwell in the knowledge
that there are lessons to be learned and joy at the place where
you see the curve in the road up ahead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Julie Jordan Scott is a Professional Success Coach. Visit her website
to find out more about her latest free coaching offers as well as
many resources for your most passionate lifestyle!
http://www.5passions.com/coachingoffer.html. Send Julie a note
mailto:julie@... and let her know how you will
apply what you read today. She is waiting to hear from you!