The other day I was looking out at the beach and watching the smoothness of the water. I’m still amazed how beautiful it is. Just a couple weeks ago the waves were fiercely crashing and it started to rain so hard that I couldn’t even see out the office window into the parking lot. It made me think about the power of Mother Nature and how it can mimic life. There are times when we feel a sense of calmness or smooth sailing and there are other times life can get so stressful that we feel we can’t even see a few feet in front of us. The beach reminded me that even though things can get really ugly or feel completely out of control, there can also be sunshine and peace. We just have to find it and not get caught up in the storm. In a storm we reach for our umbrellas or rain coats, and take our time while driving or stay in to stay safe. In life when we feel overwhelmed or stressed or sad or anxious we need to think about what are our tools for making it through the storm. Here are just a few examples:
- First take a deep breath
- Ask yourself “what do I have control of?” Sometimes it might just be your emotions.
- Imagine the most peaceful place you have ever been or a peaceful time in your life and take a snapshot to keep in your memory. Hold on to the feelings that you feel in that peaceful place.
- Look at the obstacle and ask yourself “how do I want to approach it?” Make a list, or prioritize.
- Lastly, ask yourself “do I need to ask for help?” Whether that is asking a friend, spouse, partner, or seeking professional help, know that it is ok to ask for help. We all need support or help from other people. That is what helps us to keep going.
These are just a few examples of different ways to work through the stress in your life. Just remember that storms end and on the other side of a storm is sometimes a rainbow which represents hope, and there is always sunshine and calmness after a storm. If you would like additional help or just have questions, please feel free to contact me, 727-360-8461, and I will help you make it through the storm.