Thank you for taking this little ride with me as I’ve done my best to convey these thoughts without dragging on too long!

I hope that something in this series has been meaningful to you and encouraging as well. If you’re in the middle of needing big change, like I have been so many times, I hope that these tools and insights will be gifts to you.

To wrap up and offer some concrete ideas for putting into practice the principles of faith, learning to limit and eradicate chronic pain and to employ the truths taught in codependency recovery, here are a few suggestions about what can be done right now to help you move forward!

1. Identify the problem, if it is unclear, through prayer. Fast for a short period of time, (I wouldn’t recommend longer than 24 hours), for extra spiritual strength.  Then in the humble attitude of a student wanting to learn, ask for direction in knowing what the real issue is and what you need to do first to address it.
2. Humbly acknowledge the answer, whether it be a relationship that is ill or a physical issue or codependency, or all of the above!
3. Give thanks for the problem.  I have found that this step gives me more clarity and vision than anything else, though sometimes I have had to pray for the power to sincerely say the words.
4. Create a plan.  Depending on the answer you receive about what to do first, write out a plan, short or long, simple or complex, for taking the first baby steps away from your pain. This might start with educating yourself on a certain topic before you can move forward. Whatever it takes, plan to do it; buy or borrow the book, join the class or find the mentor.
5. Acknowledge the emotions you need to feel.  If you need help dealing with them, ask for assistance from a qualified person without delay.
6. Attack problems that are your own. Sometimes we are tempted to roll up our sleeves and get to work…helping others with our new-found knowledge so that we can continue to neglect our own emotional work, and still feel at least pseudo-ly-productive!  Besides, their stuff is so much easier to see, right? Please don’t spend time in the magical space of trying to do the work that belongs to someone else. Commit to your own work, and get to it.
7. Care for yourself. We are strong and we are also fragile. Give yourself all of the supports and breaks and kind words you can, while taking responsibility for your own behavior. Pour it on and reap the rewards of greater health and stronger relationships.
8. Get to the place of forgiveness and acceptance. It may be a long road or it may be short, but ask for the power to forgive and let go. Set clear boundaries and then make it a habit to forgive yourself and others over and over and over as life goes on. By so doing, you will cut the tethers that may be holding you back, emotionally and physically.

I wish you strength to live your life to it’s fullest! It’s a beautiful world and now is our time.

Sincerely,

Jacque