Air Pockets

Have you ever tripped over your own feet and wondered how that happened?  I think there are air pockets hidden from view that give us a jolt back into the present moment.  Some air pockets are bigger than others in life.  Major events or crisis that define our next move in life, unexpected downturns when we wanted success. It's not as much about the events, but how we handle them and learn from them.  I started a second business last year that seemed like a fantastic opportunity and now it's ending.  There are so many lessons and legal aspects to starting a business that one misguided move can cause a lot more pain later, like law suits and failures.

I've realized more about myself as I manage and navigate this air pocket. 

1. Life still goes on
2. I asked a question a year ago, "How do you stay present and make future plans?"  Is it possible to have both?  Well, I'm getting LOTS of practice with that duality right now.  A friend mentioned that the key is hope for something more. 
3. Catastrophyzing is a part of the process for me.  I need time to brainstorm the worst case scenerios and the "What if's" and then talk to friends and loved ones to help me ground my assumptions and take action on the important ones.
4. Ultimately, there is very little that I have control of aside from my own responses and reactions to a situation
5. Surrounding myself with people who support and guide me versus cause more anxiety and worry
6. Finding an activity to help manage stress for the long term.  I started running to get in shape and joined Weight Watchers to lose weight and eat healthier.  It has made all of the difference and gives me something else to focus on that is successful
7. Creating play in my life to laugh and really put the event in perspective. Read books that have nothing to do with what I am going through.  The Hunger Games was perfect!
8. Attending a half day meditation workshop, which forced me to deal with emotions and challenged me to truly stay in the moment and accept what was happening versus resisting.  Through this process I've learned that as humans we have emotion and occasionally we allow the emotion to have us.
9. Spending time reflecting in between activities.  My mom always told me to not underestimate the power and time for reflection. I believe now that that's where my strength is coming from
10. Taking the situation seriously, but not myself.  I may think I'm the most important person in my world, but realizing there are others around me who view things differently.  I'm not as self important as I think.

How do you handle major life stresses?  Is there a time you ever let those emotions take over and rule your world?