Handling and Managing Adversity to...

Life is complicated and tough - very tough at times. Handling, managing, and coping with adversity, challenges, problems, and crisis is essential to being happy, and staying happy.

Once completed, this section of the BeHappy! website will be dedicated to preparing for the inevitable challenges we all face in life, and then managing them when they come.

Topics like financial crisis, death, divorce, business problems, sickness, stress, children, and much more will be addressed.

Here's an example of one story I received recently to show how some people deal with SERIOUS adversity:

Jimmy:

My wife, Karen, was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. When we first heard Karen's cancer diagnosis, we knew things were going to be really tough (and possibly tragic). Our daughter was only 11 years old at the time and that complicated things, but we found ways to get through everything.

First, the operation - a modified wedge section lumpectomy of the left breast took a principal lesion of 2.6 cm. Unfortunately, there was involvement of 9 lymph nodes (pushing her into stage 3 breast cancer).

Then, the chemo therapy... "dose dense". This is the heaviest available, but Karen managed it like a trooper. Of course, we knew she would lose her hair, so about a week before the chemo, we arranged a "head shave party". Karen's hair stylist came over to our house to give her an even buzz cut. Family and friends attended, so they all knew what was going on. Then, they fitted Karen with her wig (we called it "Harriet") that looked very much like her own hair (so she could have a sense of normality during daily life).

During the chemo therapy, she bonded with a group of ladies (and a few men) who were under the same care. They called themselves the "Chemo Sahbees". They still meet to this day to share their experiences and assist with new people to the program.

From the very beginning, I created an e-mail list that included all those close family and friends who needed to be kept up to date with the events of the treatment. I e-mailed them regularly (particularly after any surgeries or other therapies).

Then, came the radiation, which was long and tiring.

Then, came the Herceptin (the "miracle drug"). It had complications (it weakened Karen's heart), but we have gotten over that as well.

Throughout, Karen has been focused and solid with her treatments, exercises and medications. She exercises every day (to prevent swelling) and takes her meds on the dot. She recently had her port removed.

At present, she has no traces or symptoms of cancer (excuse me while I go find some real wood to knock on).

We try to live our lives in the manner that Elvis Presley prescribed (although he should have listened to his own words)...

He said, "You need three things to get through life happy... something to do, something to look forward to, and someone to love."

It all comes down to one thing... BE POSITIVE! In fact, Karen's license plate is... HAVE2B+

Once you get angry, or feeling sorry for yourself, it opens doors for tragedy. If you stay positive, you stay in this world (an integral part of it).

Take care of yourself and your family, Jimmy.

Allan W.

This is a great story of people who know how to be happy. As you can see, Allan and his wife, Karen, use many of the tools I talk about on this website and in my book, like:

- Relationships
- Laughter (making things funny ... like "Harriet")
- Contribution (helping new people to the "Chemo Sahbee" group)

...and much more.

If you are going through something similar, maybe Allan and Karen's story can help you in some way. I sure hope so, and I'm sure Allan and Karen do, too.

This section of the website is currently a work in progress, so check back soon for more inspirational and educational stories and a comprehensive look at this important happiness strategy.

For now, check out this series on how to survive - and even thrive - in the current "down" economy:

Overcoming Fear to Thrive in the Current Downward Economic Cycle (Part 1 - October 2008).

Overcoming Fear to Thrive in the Current Downward Economic Cycle (Part 2 - November 2008)

Overcoming Fear to Thrive in the Current Downward Economic Cycle (Part 3 - December 31, 2008)

Overcoming Fear to Thrive in the Current Downward Economic Cycle (Part 4 PREVIEW - February 20 and March 9, 2009).

Overcoming Fear to Thrive in the Current Downward Economic Cycle (Part 4 - March 15, 2009).

This series will help guide you through the current financial situation our country - and our world - is facing right now.

Also, click on these relevant links for more:

Death and Happiness, a discussion on how the death of someone very close to you might affect you.

The "You Don't Have it Bad" Exercise, which can help almost anyone be more grateful - and become a more grateful person.

Religion and Handling Adversity - a look at how religion and sprituality can help you cope.

Life's Biggest Stresses to know the most stressful situations in life, how they rank, and how you can prepare to deal with them.

Click here to return to the BeHappy101.com homepage

If the information on this site helps you and you'd like to make a donation to BeHappy101.com (to help make others happy), please click on the button below to make a contribution. The amount you donate is entirely up to you. A portion will used to contribute to the happiness of others.

Click here to return to the BeHappy101.com homepage

If the information on this site helps you and you'd like to make a donation to BeHappy101.com (to help make others happy), please click on the button below to make a contribution. The amount you donate is entirely up to you. A portion will used to contribute to the happiness of others.