Inspired by Elisheva Balas and David Ghiyam (Kabbalah Center)

I wrote about this topic to subscribers in last month's RISE and Shine monthly letter. It is an important topic to revisit because we typically do the opposite of what is best for us during good times and hard times. Putting certain practices in place will lessen your struggles and bring you and those you love great benefits, including more speedy healing, joy, compassion, and peace of mind.

Just a couple of days after writing the monthly R&S letter focusing on this topic, I took a nasty fall and broke my shoulder. What a trying time it has been, and still is, both physically and mentally.

And so, I put what I wrote to the test!

Here is what I wrote, just in case you missed it:

When you are experiencing hard times, when there is pain, disappointment, and fear, shift that to "Everything is perfect" and "I have everything I need." Even though you're feeling lack, you now understand that this time is a gift—an extraordinary opportunity for learning and growth to truly transform something. Coming from lack (blame, poor me, and shame) to improve things will only bring more chaos.

Remember, our goal is to transform from a place of empowerment and positive self-worth, self-worth not based on results—closing the sale, getting the house, the promotion, the parent-of-the-year award. Self-worth doesn't change during good and hard times as we continue this journey of heightened awareness and elevated consciousness.

When you are going through good times—your child gets all A's, you get the promotion, and there's lots of cash in the bank—this is the time to work, dig in, and see where improvements can be made.

So flip it! When you're going through hard times, "praise"—things are perfect the way they are. "This is what I'm meant to be experiencing." "I have everything I need." When experiencing good times, "pray": ask for help, go deep inside, and ask for more strength.

During some of the more challenging moments with the pain from my broken shoulder and the difficulty in doing just about everything with one arm in a sling, I became keenly aware that my choice to feel a bit sorry for myself, which I was feeling from time to time, made my body hurt even more—physically and mentally.

As I said these words out loud, "I have everything I need," the physical and mental pain diminished significantly. I even eked out a smile.

It's worth repeating what is stated above: We typically do the opposite of what will benefit us the most in good and bad times. "Flip it!"

As we pause to notice our feelings, we remain in the driver's seat and see the choice: Continue on this course or change direction. Change comes easier and more quickly as we put this practice into place.

Our starting position is critical to transforming the situation at hand. If we come from lack (blame, poor me, or shame) to make things better, we will only bring more chaos.

I am committed to less chaos and confusion and more joy, clarity, and peace for myself and the world. How about you?

Life is filled with so many gifts, including our struggles. Remember, only in times of darkness can we bring the greatest amount of light into our lives and all existence.