take care of you tomorrow and
every day. Either He will shield you from suffering,
or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace, then. Put aside all anxious thoughts and
imaginations, and say continually:
“The Lord is my strength and my shield.
My heart has trusted in Him and I am helped.
He is not only with me but in me,
and I in Him.”
—St. Francis de Sales
Devotions for Down Days
“It is okay to be at a place of struggle. Struggle is just another word for growth.”
—Neale Donald Walsch
“Problems are not stop signs; they are guidelines.”
—Robert Schuller
“Be patient. Sometimes you have to go through the worst to get to the best. Give time some time.”
—Karen Salmansohn
“Patience is the calm acceptance that things can happen in a different order than the one you have in mind.”
—David G. Allen
“Maturity of mind is the capacity to endure uncertainty.”
—John Huston Finley
Prayerful Practice
Every Breath Is a Blessing: Breath-Focused Meditation (1–5 Minutes)
The breath-focused meditation is typically a short meditation intended to refocus you during your day. You can do this anytime, anywhere. I usually do it when I feel particularly stressed but don’t have a lot of time to meditate.
Start by sitting in a comfortable position. Take a deep breath in and let it go, slowly, gently closing your eyes, then return to breathing normally. Take a few moments to notice how your body feels. Does it feel good? Are you sore anywhere? Once you’ve acknowledged these feelings, allow yourself to let them go. Softly pull your focus inward to your breaths. Notice how each intake of air is different from the last. If you find yourself straying to other thoughts, gently let go of them, allow them to pass you by, and bring yourself back to the breath. Allow your breath to lead your mind instead of the other way around. Continue this for a few moments. When you’re ready, slowly, gently open your eyes. Think of the blessings in your life and continue your day with that sense of being blessed.
You Are Not Alone: Affirmations of Love and Support
Crying does not indicate that you are weak. Since birth, it has always been a sign that you are alive.”
—Charlotte Bronte
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”
—Psalm 62:8
“So many people love you. Don’t focus on the people who don’t.”
—Colin Tate
“It is part of the
human experience to feel pain
do not be afraid
open yourself to it.”
—Rupi Kaur, evolving
“Everything in moderation, including moderation.”
—Anonymous
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The Optimist’s Creed
To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.
—Christian D. Larson, 1912
— 2 —
Happiness Is Worth Striving For
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
