Life is not always a pleasant walk down the garden path.Who has not known pain and anguish? Who has not suffered the wounds of a relationship discord? Problems are challenges life casts our way.

We navigate through the detours and face dead-ends in our journey. We set sail, aware of the possibility of stormy weather that can develop overnight. But we are determined to ride out the storm and not get lost in it.

At times, we take more than we can handle. We are caught up in giving ourselves to the call of duty. We tend to justify the demands on our time and energy. We forget that the world will go on, with or without us.

Life goes in cycles - sometimes the cycle is up, then it goes down, like the spokes of a wheel. Sorrow and grief comes to everyone sooner or later.

A grieving heart affects the mind, body and spirit deeply. Sometimes the pain is buried so deeply where no one can reach it, much less touch it.

Frustrations, failures, relationship issues, career and family concerns, financial issues, health problems and having too much on the plate all add up to stress.

Do you listen to the signs your body sends to slow down or take a much needed rest? There is only so much pain or suffering one can bear. There is a limit to human endurance.

Peace becomes elusive. Perspective is not as sharp, there is too much clutter in the mind.

It helps to get away from the source of conflict to gain a better perspective and to re-group your thoughts.Take a vacation. If this is not feasible, a day away from it all will probably do.

But take a breather. This is not running away, woes are still hovering over and waiting. Taking a respite from it all paves the way to healing the accumulated emotional and mental stress.

Anxiety and worry cloud anyones judgment. Perhaps, there is a need to cut some slack for now. What would you change if you were faced with the same situation?

Take the time to re-evaluate and re-assess your priorities. It is a time to step back and look after your needs. Relax, catch your breath, even for a short time, because you have to take the next step. The battle is not over.

Plan the next stage, for lifes problems do not dissipate into thin air. Pull yourself together, empower yourself so that your thoughts and actions are in harmony with your highest truth of who you are. Validate your beliefs.

Deep wounds need healing and this takes time. Retreat is a good start- retreat from all that is worrisome, confusing and aggravating. Quiet time and time alone to reflect is a good way to clear the mental clutter and move on.

This is the time to recharge your energies. It is a time to heal, mind, body and soul. It is a time to recognize the chaos and confusion that can cause illusions or delusions and make peace so elusive.

Forgive what needs to be forgiven. Forgiveness can be liberating.

Healing takes time, allow yourself that. Remember, time is a great healer, if you let it.