| 1. | Understand what you have gone through from the loss that has altered your life. |
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| 2. | Beware of getting comfortable in immobility and avoid such traps as alcohol, drugs, and self-pity. These keep you locked in your place of pain. |
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| 3. | Make an active choice early on to hold on to your personal power. |
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| 4. | Reach out for support from those who love you -- family, friends, community groups. |
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| 5. | Move on. Do something, any activity that gets you off self centeredness and helps you focus outward. |
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| 6. | Add physical exercise to your daily activities. |
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| 7. | Don't shut down. Be determined to go on with your life, recognizing the good things you have even as you may mourn what you have lost. |
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| 8. | Incorporate humor and laughter into your life, recognizing their healing gifts. |
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| 9. | Don't feel guilty about getting on with life,
which includes laughter, fun, and success. |
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| 10. | Be forgiving in order to become free. |
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| 11. | Recognize and believe that life is more than worthwhile, it is a great adventure. |
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| 12. | Trust that life has been created by a God who loves you, that it has meaning even if that meaning is couched in mystery. |
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