Is your life feeling out of control? Did one event trigger a negative domino effect in your life? Does everything bad seem to be happening to you all at once? Are there things in your past that are re-surfacing? Do your tasks seem never ending? Does it feel like a hurricane ripped-through your life?
Well for me, it did....literally. I live in Sarasota, FL and myself, family and close friends (along with other Floridians) just recently endured Hurricane Ian.
We survived and we are grateful. And, for me personally, I learned a lesson about life by looking at the hurricane like a metaphor for life.
How can we take the lessons of nature and apply them to our own life?
A hurricane can be a metaphor for what’s happening in your life when you feel like everything is out of control. The winds represent the challenges and difficulties you’re facing, while the rain can represent the tears and sadness you may be feeling.
But just as a hurricane can eventually pass, so too will any difficult time in your life.
"No sentient being wants anxiety, stress, or physical pain. In this, we’re all alike: we want security, predictability, and happiness in our lives...” - Pema Chodron, ‘No Time to Lose.’
Mother Nature is unpredictable and destructive, producing tornadoes, hurricanes, mudslides, tsunamis, earthquakes and more.
But, while the wrath of Mother Nature is wicked, it is also wonderful.
The wrath can be cleansing. Fires can produce new growth, even trigger the seeds of some plants to grow. Hurricanes can eliminate Red Tides, clearing our the neurotoxic algae and those species that were effected by it.
Another beautiful thing about destruction, is watching how people come together to help each other in kindness, gentleness, and love.
So how can you use the lessons of nature to help clean up your own life?
First, it’s important to take stock of what’s really important to you. What do you value most in life? What do you want to achieve? Once you know what your goals are, you can start to let go of the things that are holding you back. This may mean forgiving yourself for past mistakes or letting go of relationships that are no longer healthy. It may also mean facing your fears and taking control of your life.
My very good friend Kimberly Allen has a newly published book titled ‘Reclaim Control’, and she says that
“We can declare our values and beliefs, create a dharma code, practice being more aware of our body and the messages it is giving us, and learn to recognize where our stress is coming from. These things can be done without going deep into emotions, but you will plateau on your quest to your dream. Or you may find your dream but have a hard time maintaining the qualities of life that you desire.”
We have to understand our pain and where it is coming from. We have to acknowledge and understand our triggers. We have to feel all of the feelings and emotions. We must walk through the pain to understand the Joy of the other side.
Otherwise, we will constantly fall backwards into a destructive cycle.
Remember that you are strong, capable, and resilient. You can weather any storm that comes your way. And just like a hurricane, you have the power to create positive change in your life. Use this time to reflect on what you want to achieve and start working towards making your dreams a reality.
The bottom line is that you have the power to control your own destiny. You can change your outcomes by changing your responses to any and all events in life. As a friend says, “reflection, perception, integration.” Reflect on what you want, which can change your perception and you will integrate your want into your life.
So, take the lessons of nature and use them to help you create the life you want. It’s never too late to start anew. Let go of your past and move forward into a bright future with endless possibilities.
May you all release the binds of blame, shame and guilt and move into Love, Joy, and Grace
-Kristin