On Finding Stillness Amid Chaos

To my dearest friend, Mahina:

In stillness you find clarity.  During times of chaos and harsh winds, it's best to create space for stillness to respond according to your truth.  Like a storm ravaging the sea surface, there is tranquility and peace beneath.  You cannot escape hardship or the chaos in the external world but you can choose how you face it.  Where can one find moments of stillness amid turmoil? It can be found within connecting with your breath.  There was a moment when I was overwhelmed with anger and frustration.  There was a group of individuals saying unkind things about me and questioning my character and integrity.  My internal world became chaotic and it projected outward into my external environment affecting innocent bystanders - my family. 

I quickly realized I was allowing my emotions to control me.  I had no control over their opinions or what was said about me. Yet there I was, allowing things out of my control to take hold of me.  Like the storm ravaging the ocean surface, I fought through the pounding waves of self-doubt, and the blistering wind of bitterness, and battled a losing cause. 

Chaos has a way of presenting itself to you when you least expect it.  There are no forecast or warning signs, it arrives and then you decide your approach with whatever it is you are equipped with. 

What are the things in your control? Your actions and judgments.  The sole thing I found that helps me find stillness is my breath.  Everything is connected to your breath, your hā.  It allows a moment to escape from the chaos to create space for clarity for you to choose your response.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.  I felt myself sink beneath the violent surface into a space of tranquility and openness.  Within that space of stillness, I chose to focus on what was in my control and those who were deeply impacted by my actions.

Storms will pass and there will soon be peace. They say the best revenge is to not be like them and I believe in that.  As hard as it may be to let go of being pulled into darkness it takes much more strength to cut that rope and just be.  Neither in the light or darkness, but in the stillness amid the chaos.