How can we keep our balance and our sanity when the world seems insane?
I’ve been asking myself that question all week as I watched the news about the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene.
Then, as I sat down to gather the thoughts I want to share with you, I learned that a second storm is heading for Florida and is predicted to reach hurricane level before reaching landfall mid week.
And that’s not the only news coming across the airwaves. I’m hearing of intense missile attacks on Israel as I write.
We live in perilous times.
In the face of all that we’re confronting, I want to share two pieces of practical advice that I hope will be of value to you.
Facing Emergencies
The first is about what to do when you’re personally confronting an emergency. I read it in a book on self-hypnosis I borrowed from the library when I was a kid.
“Memorize this,” the book said. “Repeat it over and over whenever you can. Then it will be there for you when you need it.”
I did what it said, and I can truly say that it probably saved my life more than once. It’s a little chant that goes like this:
Relax.
Think Fast.
Do What is Necessary.
Please commit those simple words to memory. And practice releasing tension from all your muscles as you do. See what it feels like to be relaxed and totally aware of your surroundings at the same time.
(As a bonus, I’ll add a bit of counsel from Fred Rogers. “Whenever you’re in trouble,” he said. “Always look for the helpers.” That’s one worth tucking in your pocket, too.)
Dealing with Catastrophe
The second offering I have for you is about how to get through life when the world seems to be collapsing all around us.
Back when the Twin Towers were destroyed in 2001, one of the pioneers in the field of positive psychology took a look at how her students had fared during the crisis.
She found that they fared well. They had learned that it was healthy to be honest with themselves about their feelings and they paid attention to their sorrow, and shock, and grief.
But they also payed attention to the acts of courage, and heroism, and kindness that they saw and gave emphasis to them in their recall of the events.
They looked to their personal strengths and found ways to use them to help themselves and others deal with the trauma.
Resiliency is founded in paying attention to the needs of those around us and to giving comfort and help where we can.
The key is to lean into the wind of misfortune and let it awaken us to our shared humanity, to offer assistance where we can, to lend our strength to the weak, and to dare to believe in our strength and resilience. Because they’re real, you know. Humans find ways to rise to the challenges before them.
I stumbled on a quote this week that said, “It is what it is . . . but it will become what you make of it.”
Whatever situation you’re facing, whether it’s painful empathy for the misfortunes of others or for misfortune of your own, you can use the situation to find and express the highest and best in yourself. And remember, the highest and best is always rooted in love—for yourself, for your fellow beings, for the gift of life itself in all its pain and all its glory.
May you be safe and well.
From my heart,
Susan
Image by Edyta Stawiarska from Pixabay