Dear friend,



Thank you for sharing what troubles you with us. It seems as though you are going through a lot right now. With the economic crisis sweeping America, it is appropriate for you to feel as though your world is spinning out of control. The uncertainty of tomorrow weighs heavy on your mind, as it sounds from your letter. As an American right now, you must be experiencing lots of change, and quite possibly uncertain change. It sounds, however, from what you have said that you have done amazing work when it comes to getting your finances under control and managing your health. Even though you had mentioned that you have accumulated debt, you stated you have paid most of it off and you have also managed to lose 40 pounds and eat healthy. However, it is likely that you have not really acknowledged what you have already accomplished but instead you seem to have been focusing on all the things that yet need to be done. Instead of looking at the glass and seeing it half full you seem to always see it half empty. For the past one and half year it sounds as if you have decided to take control of your life and be responsible and make headway. You are still in this process and it may take a long time before you accomplish what you have set out to do. In the meantime instead of dwelling on your past mistakes or the present difficulties it will be more beneficial to continue doing day in and day out all the things you have been doing for the past one and a half year. Eventually you will get to the other side, accomplish all your goals. They may seem far away now and when you stop to think of them may seem unattainable and wear you down. This is when feelings of despair get you stuck and begin to wonder if anything is worthy of any effort. This is also the time when you feel like disappearing or making somehow all your troubles go away. This is expected because you are human. However, your past actions show (as you state in your letter) that you are also a fighter and you are not the kind of person that will go down without an effort. It helps if you begin each day as a new chance to take things from where you left them the day before and go one step further. The upcoming surgery troubles you because you will not have any vacation time left. What if you take it as something that you are doing for your self in terms of strengthening your health? Thus, you will be in a better position to face the adversaries of life and still be something that you do for yourself the same way the vacation would be.

Sometimes it helps if you create a diagram from where you were when you started (one and a half year ago) and every now and then note the progress you have made in all these areas of your life (occupation, health, loans, etc..). Looking at it will probably help you see more clear the progress you have made and encourage you to keep going.

In the grand scheme of things, there are some simple areas to look at when feeling like your world is out of control. Financially, for example, how often do you eat out? Grab a coffee from a coffee shop? Pay in electricity bills? Many of these things can add up quickly. It may be appropriate for you to keep track of your spending habits, for 7 days, and reflect on how and where you are spending your money.

You did not mention anything in your letter whether you have some friends or some people to talk to and share some of your pains. If you do have even one person, it will probably help you to open up and share some of your troubles and give this person a chance to support you emotionally. In addition, it also helps to go out for coffee or a walk or to see a movie and not talk about your problems at all. It helps your mind take a break away from troubles like being on a vacation.

It is clear that there is a lot going on for you that is causing stress.. It sounds as though you have many capabilities to tap into, such as being focused and consistent and responsible! Your efforts do pay out. All it takes is one day at a time, one step at a time.



Thank you for your letter. I look forward to hearing from you.



Your fellow US citizen