When Things Fall Apart

“Embarking on the spiritual journey is like getting into a very small boat and setting out on the ocean to search for the unknown lands. Like all explorers, we are drawn to discover what’s waiting out there without knowing yet if we have the courage to face it.” ~ Pema Chodron Have you ever experienced a moment in your life when the unexpected hit you and things fell apart… rapidly? You wished you could turn back the clock, but you couldn’t? When I lived in Taiwan and learned the Chinese language, one of the first words the Chinese teachers taught us was the character for ‘crisis’, which means ‘opportunity’ in Chinese. It makes sense because we either grow through inspiration or desperation. Both cause growing pains that often give rise to new opportunities. What struck me while being in the midst of this very challenging time was the realization of how suddenly living your dream can turn into a living nightmare if you let your mind go wild. Having traveled and lived all around the world, I’ve encountered many dangerous and even life-threatening situations: from being held at gunpoint by rebels in the jungles of Africa, to living with a Bedouin tribe in Egypt, to being lost in the desert of Israel, to swimming in shark-infested waters off the Ivory Coast, to flying in a plane that caught fire en route to America when emigrating our family of seven, and the list goes on. What stood out most was that no matter what happens to you, it’s about how you manage your mind. In a split second you can turn from faith to fear, and everything changes. In the first category of “living my dream,” my mind went to the best possible outcomes when I was in dangerous situations. I trusted that all would be well, and I refused to believe that my life would end right there because I was sure God had other plans for me. Fear turned into faith, and adversities became adventures. In the second category of “living the nightmare,” which was about the life of a very dear beloved one, my mind was a mess. It went into all kinds of worst-case scenarios, and it took a lot of courage to step off the hamster mill of fearful and repetitive thoughts. When I finally refused to believe my assumptions and surrendered the outcome to God, peace entered my mind again and new possibilities opened up. Amazing! Because we never know what life will throw at us, and we all get our fair share of challenges, we can only become strong spiritual warriors when we learn ways to find inner peace and balance while being caught in the eye of the tornado. Here are 10 helpful ways to find inner peace amidst chaos: Breathe: You can do this exercise at any given time. Inhale for seven counts and exhale for eleven counts. Do this for at least 5–10 minutes. It shifts the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic nervous system. You experience instant peace. Shift your thoughts: When a fearful thought comes up, just watch it and don’t judge it. Do not believe it. Say, for example, “I am beginning to feel more peaceful, and I allow miracles to happen.” Rescue Remedy: While under stress, both your immune system and nervous system work overtime. Take four drops a few times a day. It really helps to overcome the shock, as well. Feel your feelings: Allow your feelings to be there. When you don’t resist them they just pass through. Don’t judge them, but extend love to what you feel. If you need to cry allow it. Listen to beautiful music: Music can shift your mood. Here’s a song that lifts the spirit. Nurture Your Self: Do what makes you feel good: take a walk, soak in a rose-oil bath, eat good food, go out in nature, and shut off your phone and computer. Chill. Ask for support: Surround yourself with supportive family and friends and ask for what you need. Call upon the Angels and Ascended Masters. They can hear you, but you have to ask! Pray and meditate: Sit still for 15 minutes and create a daily sacred moment to quiet your mind to tune into your heart. Allow a higher power to come forth to guide you. Tune into the Monday Morning Soul Cards: Be open to and surprised by how they can guide you in tough times. Last week it was the Green Tara who talks about delegating. Let others help you, and do only what’s needed. This week it was Surrender. I’d say let the Universe bring it to you. Surrender and expect miracles: This is the BIGGEST ONE. When you move from contraction to letting go, it is amazing to see what happens. Imagine a closed fist when you ask for help. Open your hand. Do it now. Allow. At this moment my boat is entering calmer waters and my faith has turned into a knowing that surrender activates miracles to let new and amazing possibilities unfold. If we’ve done our best, we can only delegate the rest.