Finding Calm in the Storm and Staying the Course

Calm in the storm. How do we find it?

Finding calm in the storm can be difficult. This is a habit that we work on daily because, as you may have experienced sometimes life gets hard!

Dennis and I live in Florida and we have experienced many hurricanes.

There have been days during these storms that we are listening to the TV or if we are without power, listening to the radio and we hear the reports of roofs being ripped off of buildings close to us. We hear about piers being pulled into the ocean only a few miles away or flooding in neighborhoods nearby.

As we step outside we are surprised to experience a brilliant blue sky, calm winds, and the glimmer of sunshine. There is so much chaos going on around us but our situation is calm and pretty and temporary.

We realize that we are in the eye of the storm

Is it possible for you and I to find the calm in life’s storms even though there is chaos all around us? I believe, yes it is. Is it possible to always be calm during life’s storms? I haven’t found that. But, it is my choice to look for that calmness.

I am going to share my heart with you and share how we invest in ourselves to find calmness during life’s storms.

First, we believe God’s promise when He says, ” Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

We lean into God and his promises for peace and for calming the storm.

Changing your mindset

 “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Words can either speak life, or your words can speak death. Choose wisely!

Researchers estimate that we think about 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts a day and that about 80% of those thoughts are negative.

The University of Minnesota shared in their health blog, “Negative attitudes and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness can create chronic stress, which upsets the body’s hormone balance, depletes the brain chemicals required for happiness, and damages the immune system.”

As you can imagine, you will not be able to find the calm in the storm if you continue to speak negatively to yourself. If you are speaking negatively to others or posting negative comments on social media, your brain does not know that you are not directing those thoughts and words to yourself.

If you are filling your mind with negative media, your brain is absorbing it as though it is directed to itself.

Protect your mind from negative intrusions

Second, Dennis and I protect our minds from negative intrusions. We intentionally read and listen to, positive thoughts and affirmations. And yes, we do our best to stay away from negative people.

We make it a habit to use positive words and think positive thoughts. It is a habit.

When I was younger I was very insecure and spoke negatively to myself. It took me years of learning and practice to undo the negative and learn to speak and think more positively. Positivity is now a habit.

Finding calm in the storm is a choice.

As you think about finding peace in the midst of chaos, trust that it can be achieved. Although none of us can be completely peaceful in every situation we can make habits that help us through difficult times.

Set a goal to begin the habits that will change your mindset. A more peaceful mindset, a more positive mindset are great goals.

How to change your mindset and find clam in the storm

• Hang around people who bring you joy.
• Turn off negative media, music, and movies.
• If you find yourself in a negative situation, think about positive thoughts. Think about people who bring you joy.
• Begin a journal of gratitude.
• When negative thoughts come into your sub-conscious intentionally re-word them to positive.
• Begin the habit to remove lack and scarcity from your vocabulary.
• Read positive quotes, positive affirmations, and the bible.

In closing, I’d like to share this story.

In June 2010, Dennis and I drove from Florida to Maryland to spend time with our family. It was a delightful weekend, we had a family reunion and my parents were beaming with joy and love. They were in their element.

Sunday morning as we were getting ready for church I heard a loud THUMP followed by a loud scream as my mother called my name.

I ran into my parents bedroom. I saw my Mom with fear in her eyes. She said, ‘your Daddy’, as she pointed to the ground.

I assessed my dad. Checking his breathing and his heart rate. He had neither.

Mom called 911 and I began CPR.

During this time I was talking with God. I was searching for the calm in the storm, for the promise of ‘peace which surpasses all understanding’.

I share this story with you because you too have had difficult times and you got through them. As we go through this pandemic you may be experiencing extremely hard times. Make it a habit to work to stay strong, to have a peaceful mindset, and know you’re not alone. But also know that it is normal to have feelings of occasional stress or concern.

I know many counselors and pastors who are helping people online. If you want their names, message me. If talking with me would help feel free to contact me. I’m a real person with real experiences and if I can help you beyond reading, know I’m here.

Even though your circumstances may not change, how you perceive your circumstances can change.

How do we find calm in the storm

• Stay close to God
• Work on your mindset. More positive less negative.
• You’ve gotten through hard things before, you can do this.
• Reach out to me, to your friends/family, or to professional counselors or pastors.

“Everyone has inside of her a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be, how much you can love, what you can accomplish, and what your potential is.”

Anne Frank

Leave a comment for me and let me know how you find the calmness in the storm or if you want help adopting new habits to keep you on the path of peace.

Stay Strong. Stay connected and do your best to stay peaceful. Oh, and by the way, both of my parents lived four years after that incident.

The Author Heidi Fleming is a Lifestyle Architect. She helps people develop a personal blueprint for healthy living and healthy aging. She encourages and guides others to find their path and create habits to sustain a lifestyle for healthy living, clean label living, and healthy aging.