Have you ever felt that your life was spiraling out of control and found yourself desperately trying to hold on for dear life? Well, if you haven't, you will. And while that may sound really negative, it's the truth. At some point, everyone has a moment when things seem to be spinning out of control.

Perhaps, the cyclone is tearing through your business. You're losing customer after customer and you don't know why. Or perhaps, the turmoil is in your marriage. It seems that no matter what you say or do, it leads to a fight. Or perhaps, your physical health seems like its under constant attack. You've just finished a bout with flu and now, a migraine headache has showed up for Round Two. Or maybe even worst of all, you're having a spiritual crisis. You've lost that connection with your creator and you're starting to doubt the basis of your faith in the first place.

Let's face it. [Stuff] happens. And it happens to all of us. There isn't a person on this planet, regardless of how successful, who hasn't had "one of those days." Or two of those days. Or even a month of those days. However, as you know, it's not what happens to you; it's what you do about it. So what do you do when your world is falling apart?

Hold on for dear life.

Hold On (Part II)

Think about it. If you were rock climbing and you lost your grip, what would you do? You'd hold onto the rope, right? Well, the same thing applies to when you lose your grip on life. You hold on. You tighten your grip and wait for help to arrive.

In the business context, this means that you hold on to your remaining customers and desperately seek to find new ways to serve them better than ever before. In the marital context, this means that you hold on to your commitment of "til death do you part," even in the face of all of the fighting and bickering. In regards to your health, you hold on to your mental health - your cheerfulness and positive state of mind. And finally, in the spiritual context, this means that you hold on to your beliefs, regardless of how futile or disappointing they may seem at the present.

And yes, I know it's hard to hold on when everything in you says, "Give it up! Throw in the towel!" Remember, I've been there. I've sat in a prison cell facing three years of isolation and loneliness as people picked away at my assets and my reputation. I remember one night crying my eyes out and wishing I would die, but I didn't. I held on just as you must hold on during your time of crisis. Remember, the old saying, "Tough times never last but tough people do."

Well, one way to assure that you last throw the storm is to anchor yourself to a sturdy line. This is one of the reasons that I'm so fanatical about sharing the DASH Principles with as many people as possible. I know from firsthand experience how determination, attitude, successful thinking and happiness can help you hold on until help arrives. When you are anchored in the wisdom of the ages, it makes it almost impossible to be swept away in the tide.

Another way to strengthen your life line is to get entwined with other people; people who are as sturdy and solid as yourself. After all, what's stronger - a single thread rope or a rope with fifty threads intertwined? Obviously, it's the latter because each thread can stand up better if it's not carrying the whole load. Well, the same thing applies to people. You will snap if you try to carry the weight of your problems by yourself. You need people to help you withstand the forces when they start to pull you from every side.

And obviously, the time to develop these relationships is when things are going well for you. After all, you won't have time to tie your rope together while free falling into space. You need to have these relationships in place well before you start up the mountain so that when you unexpectedly slip, you have something sturdy to grasp as you fall. That's one of the biggest reasons that I surround myself with so many fine people. I know there's strength in numbers.

Therefore, the next time you're facing adversity from every side and your life seems to be spinning out of control, just hold on for dear life. Trust me, help is on the way!