Finding Peace in Trying Times

There is no doubt these are trying times. Our lives, as we know them, have been turned upside down and in many cases come to a halt. The coronavirus has created a pandemic and a once divided world now has one common goal and mission.

Like other parts of the country and world, here in Seattle we have been given the stay-at-home order and to social distance ourselves. The news is frenzied, businesses are temporarily closed, neighbors are nervous and grocery store shelves are empty. In short, it feels as if the sky is falling.

What hasn’t changed?

The healing powers of Nature!

Despite it all, spring has sprung here in the Pacific Northwest as calmly and effortlessly as ever. The trees are sprouting fresh new leaves, flowers are bursting forth, critters are busy building nests and courting potential mates. 

I share the following experience with you because it is the expected at a most unexpected time.

A time when our minds are consumed with what is happening around the globe and life is so unsettled.  Days of unknowingness, uncertainty and tension. So, imagine my surprise when amongst all this turmoil I stepped outside into my yard yesterday to feed my critter friends and all I felt was PEACE. Palatable soothing calming peace.

As I stood there in matched stillness, the first thing I noticed was the complete absence of all the noise. Literally!

Absent were ALL the sounds a spring morning has to offer. No northern flicker hammering on our chimney to impress his mate. No distant chatter from the female flicker in response. No squirrels scurrying about. No planes flying overhead. No neighbors coming or going. Not even a breeze rustling through the trees. No mind chatter behind it all.

In that moment, what I felt was pure absolute stillness—internally and externally. It was the same feeling you get when you go outside after a big heavy snowfall that blankets the earth in a grand hush. 

It was as if the Universe was shouting to me, “Stop. Breathe. Be still and feel the calmness I have to offer you.”

Nature was calling to me in her silence.

Typically, this experience wouldn’t catch me by surprise, but life was no longer typical. Everything known and understood seemed to have changed in a week’s time.

I did as she asked. I stopped. I took a deep breath. I stood there in her stillness and absorbed the calmness. I soaked it all in and suddenly felt hope seeping in. In that moment, I knew all would be well. Yes, it will take time, but this too shall pass, and hindsight will show us the strength and lessons learned by such a powerful yet unseen teacher.

Our world is no doubt influenced by what happens around us, but more importantly, our world is created by how we react to what is happening around us. It is in times like these that we need to find the calm in our lives. Whatever that is for you—nature, a good book, art, music, family—embrace it and feed your soul with it. For it is when we lift our own spirts that we lift the spirits of those around us.

Look for the beauty, find the calm and invite it into your lives, now more than ever.

HOLD ON TO HOPE FOR HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL.