Let's draw a trouble tree. Take out a piece of paper and draw a tree with three branches.

Put your name on one of the branches.

Put two other peoples' names on the other two branches. You might choose one of your children, a close friend, a neighbor, or a relative.

Now write your troubles on one branch and the other peoples' troubles on their branches.

For example, on Suzanne's branch I would hang the following miseries:

• Son has learning difficulties
• Oldest daughter has weight problem
• Husband left for another woman
• Basement floods periodically
• New car continues to break down.

Even people who seem to lead a charmed life like Oprah have problems.
Her misfortunes include:

• Born to a single teenage mother in poverty
• Was sexually abused
• Lost a son
• Fired from a reporting job
• Struggles with her weight

Every person experiences troubles in life. Some people seem to experience more than their share of miseries. Others seem to be blessed and appear to have fewer troubles throughout their life. But no one escapes physical and emotional pain.

The trouble tree can help you put your problems in perspective.

Check out Doris’ latest books, “The Boy Whose Idea Could Feed the World,” “The Parent Teacher Discussion Guide,” “Thin Becomes You” at Doris’ web page: www.doriswildhelmering.com