When the going gets tough may I resist my first impulse to wade in, fix, explain, resolve, and restore. May I sit down instead.
When the going gets tough may I be quiet. May I steep for a while in stillness.
When the going gets tough may I have faith that things are unfolding as they are meant to. May I remember that my life is what it is, not what I ask for. May I find the strength to bear it, the grace to accept it, the faith to embrace it.
When the going gets tough may I practice with what I’m given, rather than wish for something else. When the going gets tough may I assume nothing. May I not take it personally. May I opt for trust over doubt, compassion over suspicion, vulnerability over vengeance.
When the going gets tough may I open my heart before I open my mouth.
When the going gets tough may I be the first to apologize. May I leave it at that. May I bend with all my being toward forgiveness.
When the going gets tough may I look for a door to step through rather than a wall to hide behind.
When the going gets tough may I turn my gaze up to the sky above my head, rather than down to the mess at my feet. May I count my blessings.
When the going gets tough may I pause, reach out a hand, and make the way easier for someone else. When the going gets tough may I remember that I’m not alone. May I be kind.
When the going gets tough may I choose love over fear. Every time..
Thank you!
My first impulse is to keep this forever. But a prayer like this has the power to keep me, so that I don’t have to hold on so tight when the going gets tough. Deep gratitude.
Glorious. Thank you, Katrina. Because a prerequisite of life is that The Going WILL Get Tough, thank you. xo
Just what I needed this morning. Thank you
Spot on. Thank you for putting into words what I often feel myself.
Strength, grace, faith. May we all have these in abundance.
Thank you, my friend. I cherish these words, and you. xoxo
Thank you Katrina, a beautiful prayer that I needed this morning. I think I will memorize it.
I’m having a very difficult week and your words are just what I needed to hear. Thank you.
What beautiful words. Thank you.
A calling for every day…..
Your amazing words always seem to enter my life at the right time. Thank you. xo
Thank you, Katrina. Such wisdom. xo
Thank you. This is the prayer of prayers. Thank you for letting this come through you and for sharing it. This is divine. But oh that snow!!!!
Katrina – I am actually finding myself glad I didn’t know your writing before we practiced together at Kripalu because I feel I would have been so much in awe of you and distracted that you were just a few feet away from me! I feel very blessed to have had our paths cross. Thank you for sharing this beautiful guidance today. 🙂
It’s all these things that become so hard to remember when the going gets tough. These lovely words are all the more important for that very reason. Thank you!
Thank you! This is beautiful and something to refer back to time and again!
Wonderful prayer, Katrina and spot on as always. I so appreciate you sharing your heart with us here.
Brilliant and beautiful! Thank you! Sending you love!
Thank you, words to remember and most definitly words to pass on… thank you.
Simply, thank you.
This prayer is exactly what I needed to hear this very moment. Once again, your beautiful words have profoundly impacted my life. Thank you, Katrina.
Katrina- as always your words are poetry- this prayer is so right on!
Katrina — you are fabulous! I love reading your writing. It always touches me. This, in particular, was just beautiful. I really needed to read this on this grey cold NH morning. Thank you.
I love this for how it at once acknowledges that times will be tough and that we are united in our humble efforts to not be undone.
Exquisite.
Wow, thank you ❤️
Your prayer has reframed “tough” for me! I now see “tough” as simply a distraction!
Hi Katrina,
I have been your silent fan for almost 4 years now. I am also a mom like you. And I think you are the words I cannot find. Everytime I read your writings, I would end up nodding and shaking my head and say to myself – that was what I wanted to say and she said it exactly the way I wanted it to be. thank you for your art in writing but most importantly, thank you for putting my thoughts in your thoughts and words. More Power Katrina Kenison! P.S. I have decided to purchase my very first Katrina Kenison book after so many years.
Beautiful message as always, Katrina. And very timely. I’m struggling with a situation beyond my control, involving a difficult person who has chosen silence over communication. It’s been challenging riding out the storm but this is a reminder that I need to be patient and keep my mouth shut right now while I wait for things to improve.
Thank you, Katrina. I am reading Magical Journey. You just continue to bless me.
Thank you!
Thank you. Your message could not have been more timely. I am drying my tears and rereading your words. Thank you.
It has been a very difficult week here.
Thank you for this exquisitely, timely reminder of what celebrating the gift of each ordinary day really means.
Thank you Katrina <3
When the going is tough thank you for wordsmiths and poets who capture some of that which I am feeling and graciously share it. Blessings to you and yours xxx
Simply Thank You.
Thank you Katrina. I especially needed this today. Printing it off now.
Katrina, I cannot think of one person who would not be made better by reading and believing in your words. Thank you!
Thank You Katrina. You have a true gift in compiling and expressing thoughts and feelings that we all can so clearly identify with. So often your writings hit home with me and comfort me in knowing that I am not the only one dealing with these issues both good and troublesome. Thank you for brightening my day over and over again.
Thank you.
Great!
Thank you Katrina. This showed up at exactly the right time today. Funny how that happens. ..eh? Stay warm.
Joanne
I love this. It creates the same kind of space in my mind that I feel when hearing someone read aloud the Desiderata, by Max Ehrmann.
Thank you!! It’s was like you knew exactly what I needed to hear today. I will carry this passage with me. Thank you for sharing your incredible gift.
Thank you Katrina. Your words always soothe my soul.
As one who has had to learn to stand in her truth instead of run when times get rough, I’d like to add to your list – “I stand for myself and against no one.”
Thanks for sharing your beautiful words.
As it is written, may it always be. xoxo
Wonderful words to return to again and again. Thank you!
Thank you… Perfect and timely!!
This is perfect, Katrina. Shimmeringly, piercingly perfect. Thank you.
Thank you and thank you many times over. This year has been tough at my job for different reasons. Tougher than I have ever had it. So, I needed this: to read, to ponder, to reflect and to digest. I have been doing some soul searching to find a better path “when the going gets tough.” And , yes, we all are connected and can relate and be comforted. We are not alone.
I love this, Katrina….thank you for your wisdom.
Beautiful words from a beautiful and gracious woman. Thank you, Katrina! Your words are a blessing to me.
This very moment I’m remembering a little girl that was courageous, brave,inquisitive, caring and giving. And always thankful and full of love. Please know that your words soothe my soul every day. And also, please know that you reign supreme in my thoughts, prayers and love.
Powerful words of wisdom… Always enjoy your blog posts- thank you!
This is something to print and keep, to read often! I shared it on my Facebook page.
Oh Katrina, thank you. I love this: “May I remember that my life is what it is, not what I ask for. May I find the strength to bear it, the grace to accept it, the faith to embrace it.” Exactly what I needed to hear. xoxo
I have one word…wow!!! What a gift to have these words. Thank you for sharing, as always. You have this innate ability to put to words amazing, powerful, sometimes healing, sentiments and deliver it to your readers, followers, supporters at the timliest of times. Thank you for sharing your gits with us. Thank you for this.
Perfect timing for you and for me too. Thank you for sharing it, Katrina. I will print this now and keep it next to those mediations and prayers I reach for when the road beneath my feet turns to sludge and I can’t make sense or headway.
Thank you for these beautiful, inspired words.
i was just diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer two weeks ago and have been floundering and lost. This has given me so much comfort. Thank you.
This is just what I need to hear–today and every day. Thank you so much.
Very moving words, just what I needed to hear. Thank you!
Thank you & bless you!
A beautiful and transformative gift to all of us who care and search. Thank you.
Thank you Katrina…I needed this reminder today!
Suddenly ‘retired’ after 30 years.
Took a drive in the foothills. Makes my soul sing! Thank you for these words that do, too!
Succinct, elegant, and comforting. Thank you.
Thank you, Katrina. Moment by moment decisions shape our days. Will we live and love well, or waste the time we’ve been given? Blessings to you.
My going is getting tough. This is my nightly prayer. It has a very calming effect.
Many thanks Katrina.
It took me a week to read this all the way through. It was just what I needed after a long hard day. Thank you.
Fabulous!
I had not read my e-mail on a regular basis for a while as times are tough…and beautiful and I love the prayer. Am printing it and might just think about taking some of the lines to felt into a pillow for when I need the words to penetrate my fuzzy brain…thank you.
My good friend read your inspired words at the ending of a day long seminar for grieving widows of faith. The women stood and cheered upon hearing your wise and wonderful words. Thanks for being you and sharing with us.
Such a beautiful prayer and so timely for me. Thank you!
Bless you! This is a life-changing reminder.
thanks Beverly. Need to read something like this every once in a while, don’t we