No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again. The Buddha
When Disaster Hits
💧 Are you one of the lucky ones who feels you've dodged a bullet when you
see what other people are dealing with but you're still fearful about how you
and others will rebuild your lives?
💧 Or are you facing so many hardships and
challenges you're left feeling hopeless and discouraged about ever finding your
way back to a normal life?
💧 Are you tired of thinking about your current
situation and just wish someone would do something about it?
How to Start Over and Treat Yourself Gently
When things get really
tough—especially after experiencing a major disaster--it can be difficult to
see your way out.
These 3 timeless keys show you the way forward to starting over after your life is disrupted by economic and environmental hardship or personal crises.
1. Take the First Step
Not much has changed
in the thousands of years humans have been facing and recovering from the
hardships of life. As Lao Tzu stated so long ago, 'a journey of a
thousand miles must begin with a single step'.
We fuel our inner
strength and sense of resiliency by taking action.
But sometimes when faced with 'a journey of a thousand miles' we can be overwhelmed with the daunting task of where to begin. What is the first step?
But sometimes when faced with 'a journey of a thousand miles' we can be overwhelmed with the daunting task of where to begin. What is the first step?
The good news is any first step will do. Your hope, resiliency, and personal strength will grow stronger with every step you take.
It doesn't matter what the first step is. As you experience yourself being pro-active and physically taking action, your ability to cope and hope will improve.
So start with a single step--any step-- and then another.
2. Take Small Steps
An old Chinese Proverb
says, 'The man who moved a mountain is the one who started taking away the
small stones'. When you're in total overwhelm mode, start 'taking away the
small stones'--one small step, then another.
If you are in a position to help other people recovering from disaster, consider your best options for helping--and then take one small step followed by another.
Don't wait for the perfect step. Do something.
3. Build a Nest in the Eye of the Storm
Anthropologist,
Margaret Mead, traveled on her life adventure, with change and uncertainty her
constant companions. Her grandmother, a major influence in Margaret's life,
sent her on her journey with the sage advice to 'Always build a nest in
the eye of the storm'.
This grandmotherly
wisdom has had a strong influence in my own life. Whenever major life events
cause upheaval in my life, my mind returns to this saying, and I think how
important it is to apply in my own life to get things moving and balanced
again.
One thing I know--when
you're in the middle of a crisis, the hardest thing to do is to think of taking
care of yourself.
You can forget to nourish your body, push your body to the
limits with lack of sleep, and remain in a constant state of emotional
overload.
But if you focus on 'building a nest in the eye of the storm', you will begin to create a cushion to rest and a space for thinking.
What does it mean to
build a nest in the eye of the storm?
When life is swirling around you like a
hurricane--you find a way to create a home-base of comfort--or nest--from which
you can rebuild your daily existence.
💓💓Start with the basics
to nourish your body and rest your nerves. Your body likes a regular rhythm
that includes regular heart beats, breaths, sleep patterns, eating times,
moving times, and rest time.
💓💓The small steps include beginning by getting your
natural rhythms back in place.
💙Eat regular, well-balanced meals that nourish
you.
💚Pace yourself--put a time limit on dealing
with your difficulties--and take regular rest breaks.
💛Go to bed early.
💜Choose to have daily contact with
uplifting, supportive people who can listen and encourage you in your strength.
💓If you're caring for others, take care of
yourself first, so you have the strength and endurance to continue to help
others.
Create a Place of
Safety and Security
We all do our best
thinking and acting when we do it in a place of safety and security. The key is
to find a way to create your nest---no matter what storm is brewing. It may not
be easy, but it is essential.
Life is a cycle, always in motion; if good times have moved on, so will times of trouble! Indian Proverb
Update September 12, 2020: I am one of the lucky ones in Ashland, Oregon whose house was spared from the devastating Alameda fire that destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in neighboring towns. I'm reaching out to those of you who are in a position to help financially to seek out gofundme pages for individuals and families to contribute to, or to contribute to our local Red Cross for victims of the Alemeda Fire. Please be as generous as you are able.
If you are unable to help financially, please consider helping by passing this message on to others who many be in a position to help. Also, if you are in an area where the fires have hit your local area, please find ways to help your neighbors. We are all in this together. Now is the time to reach out and be part of the greater community.
Here are a few Gofundme pages for individuals and families that lost everything in the fire to get you started:
https://gf.me/u/yxncz7 Rachel Kalb and babies
https://gf.me/u/yxpfrs Jesse Lopez
https://gf.me/u/yxstct Grandma Stella Cruz
https://gf.me/u/yxu6c6 Molly Erwin, RN
https://gf.me/u/yxpng6 Tejada-Ingrams family with 2 children
Also in great need the Northwest Seasonal Workers Association (see below). An estimated 500 workers and their families lost their homes.
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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.
