You've had those times in your life when it appears that a 3-ton boulder landed in your life and has seemingly destroyed it, haven't you? You're juggling a number of different balls in the air, one labeled "family," another "work," still another "relationships," and all come crashing down.
Forgive my combination of analogies, but when you feel like your life is devastated, one doesn't seem sufficient, does it? Steps to take Life is stressful enough when one thing goes wrong.
When two or more things are in chaos, you may feel so overwhelmed you don't know what to do.
Here are a few steps to consider:

1. Take a deep breath.
   This may seem ridiculous when there is so much chaos around you, but deep breathing can help.
   Even when facing the death of a loved one, plus the loss of your job, you need to find a way to get back in balance.
   Breathing helps.
   Simply bring your focus to your breathing.
   Consciously take a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds, and then slowly let it out.
   Do this until you feel calmer.
   
2. List what needs to be done.
   First make a list of what the major problems are.
   After you complete that, under each topic, jot down what needs to be done.
   If a loved one is ill, make a list of all that needs to happen to assist him or her, you, the family and other important areas.
   
3. Make a schedule.
   This may seem unimportant, but it is how you manage your time.
   When you know what you have to do and when it must be done, you don't have the stress of holding those things in your head.
   
4. Do what is the most important, this includes what doesn't seem to be urgent.
   If you do the important but not urgent things now, you avoid the stress of having them become a crisis.
   
5. Decide what really doesn't need to be done and quit worrying about them.
   Enough said on that one.
   

Discovering your part Everyone reacts to stress differently.
The reactions range from complete withdrawal to extreme agitation.
Some folks look as calm and cool as can be while churning inside, never letting others know how they feel.
They may even seem cold and detached to others.
This can cause problems when someone who is displaying their emotions is upset because the one who holds it in "just doesn't care.
" When things are complicated by your reactions, it's important to be look at yourself.

1. Are you over-reacting?
2. Are you not sharing your feelings in an appropriate manner?
3. Are you expecting others to respond in the same way you are?
4. Do you feel immobilized and have expectations that others will take care of the crisis and you don't need to do anything?
5. Are you taking control in a way that doesn't allow others to participate?

In any situation you will have multiple ways of handling the emotions and tasks at hand.
It is important to realize that everyone is different and there is no one way to feel.
The key is communication.