what advise would you give someone sufferring from personal misfortune?
95644
Well it certainly looks like you've had some less than sensitive answers so far, but don't lose hope. There are people with hearts out there, I promise! In my own life I have suffered personal misfortune in many ways. My best advise is to allow yourself time to grieve. It is normal and denying it will only prolong the process of healing. Then you must go on. You cannot allow any misfortune to destroy you. Sometimes it takes a long time to come to terms with what has happened to you, especially if it was completely out of your control and you are suffering in your faith because of it. Shaken faith is difficult but not impossible to overcome. Fear takes a long time to overcome, as well. When I lost my church several years ago due to some indiscretions by the pastor, and at the same time dealing with my small child suffering from childhood cancer, I thought I would never be the same again. I thought I would never be happy, or not be afraid, or trust people again. Still, the human spirit is resilient beyond all reason! Thank God! We all must go on, and find strength in ourselves to defeat the miseries caused by misfortunes that befall us throughout our lives here on earth, but only if we allow ourselves time to grieve our very real losses and accept the support of our friends and family as we come to terms with how our lives have changed because of the misfortune. Life might not ever be the same, but it can still be good. We can get to a place where we can be grateful for small things and good, caring people, and smile at a beautiful sunset again. I promise. Hang in there and don't let others discourage you.
1083898
Tell them in person.  Let them in the loop, family can be your best support when going through problems like that.  It is something they need to know about.  It is also something that you can get help for.  Get the assistance that you need to help yourself through this.
710044
Start enjoying life for one thing. You can't always do everything right, that is why it is called life and we are here to practice life each day. That is why we get another chance the next day.  So make your mistakes, that is the great thing about a mistake is not the regret, but that you learn from them.  If you never make a mistake you will become a very dull person.  Everyone thinks once in awhile, I could have probably done that differently. Then the next time it happens you have your chance to do it differently. So give life a chance and live it. Your mind is your worst enemy, let it go before it holds you back to much. It sounds like it already has. So the next time it happens, tell yourself, STOP!  And just do it.
619050
be true to yourself.  come clean and make amends if you can.  When that is not possible, write down the things you've done that bother you on little pieces of paper and say goodbye to them as you bury them in your garden, or toss them in your lit BBQ. then forgive yourself and forget about it.
599456
Living well. Do the best you can to live a great life. There's nothing like thumbing your nose at people who caused you pain and showing them that you can succeed in spite of them. Go for it.
383114
Stop feeling sorry for yourself and start taking care of yourself. Why should anyone have to help you when you can help yourself? \n\nWAKE UP and take a look around you! Life can be very unkind, and unless you hit back and make the most of it (without depending on the help of others) you are going to be stuck in a "miserable" life.
30596
Find a way to help someone in need.
827727
Put your hand in God's Hand\n\n\nPrayer, Time and Forgiveness heals all wounds
244568
You have to tell us more about this person, so that we can give you some more specific advice.\nSuch as his or her situation, etc?\n\nIf you live in US, go to this site, they have lots of useful information and also you can email to ask them where you can get to one of their counsellors.\nhttp://www.troubledwith.com/\n\nMy advice: (the following is for everyone, with or without emotional problems)\n*Show that you love and care about them, by both words and actions\n*Listen, respect and accept\n*Empathy, not sympathy\n\nThese three points are ARTS that even some professionist sometimes don't fully understand and able to apply. I am still understanding and practicing.
324599
Tell directly to him/her.\nIts is ths simple and most effective way\nJust tell I am sorry by heart.
509027
given the chance to fix one thing in my life, it would be ALL the wrongdoings i have made. but then, if i have been perfect all my life, what's the use of living this life and learning from our own mistakes? those mistakes in the past contributed to the person that we are now. things happen for a reason regardless if it is intentional or not. the best thing to do is to learn from one's mistake and continue living for the better, not for the worst.
290295
If God brings you to it, he can take you through it.-God Bless.  When you lose hope, ask God to take your worries and make a consious decision to do what you can and not worry about what you can't. Sit down, write things down and make a timeline and a plan. Don't waste precious time looking at your life as a failure instead think of it as a work in progress. Life is NOT perfect, you will have setbacks beyond your control, but don't do more damage by creating your own setbacks.
478755
tell them everything and every detail. you are very lucky to have someone to talk with you befor any thing bad happened. i was not that lucky and had no one to talk with until i did something that i will regret for the rest of my life.
783213
Personally, I think rather than who one has faith in, its the strength with which one values what one has faith in, and the courage to fight one's odds, that ultimately matter in getting one through difficulties. Every religion can potentially sell itself as a means of solving one's problems, and I cannot say what is the reason for your unfortunate situation apart from health difficulties. Instead I would suggest for you to follow your own heart and not let others make you waver from your path. I am sorry for what happened, and I hope that everything will work out all right for you and your family. I have also read the Bhagavad Gita and important lessons I have learned from it include doing one's duty and not worrying too much about what is temporary in one's life. Just keep moving forward, life will get better for you. Stay strong!
223298
Tell him most people have regrets in life - his are probably worse than most people's.  But, it is not healthy to dwell on past history.  No purpose is served.
830974
Sometimes, if you have a significant hardship.
534211
I believe honesty is the best policy, but don't be honest just to relieve your own pain. Being honest about a mistake often hurts the other person more than you think. Sometimes its best to just keep quiet and live with the guilt... and hopefully the knowledge that you made a mistake and will never repeat it. \njust_a_guy_in_florida@yahoo.com