Ep 5: Finding peace in the storm

Higher Ground Living Podcast

Topic:

Finding Peace In The Storm

Is it possible to have peace of mind within a personal storm?

In case you haven't heard of the metaphor, storm = problem.

We believe it is not only possible to have peace in your storm but its beneficial towards finding solutions. It is also beneficial in moving your life forward towards your goals. For if we can't stay calm in the storms we experience now, how will we endure the storms to come as we grow in stature towards our dreams. If our dream is anything of significance, there will be storms. Bigger and bigger storms as we grow.

We do not need to be afraid of this fact. In order to reach our goals we need to develop the ability to remain calm and focused through the storms that come. As an example, in this weeks podcast we discuss the types of storms that a person like Sir Richard Branson must endure. We laugh how the sort of storm that barely ruffles his curtains would annihilate our whole house. Reason being that he has so much experience dealing with the storms that surround his huge business organisation. All that experience can't be gained except for going through the storms and learning from the mistakes and successes.

Therefore for us to develop our best selves we need to stop being scared and crippled by the storms of life and start developing practices that manifest peace and wisdom to diffuse the storm and learn from it. If we continue to be rattled by the same problems in our lives then we will just stay the same and never get to our dream life.

Its fear that holds us back.

When these storms rise up in our lives we often react in the same way we have always reacted. Its a habit, and often we are unconscious of it. We turn and run, later we wonder why we still have the same problems we have always had. Why things don't seam to change for us.

Perspective

One way to look at changing your reaction to storms is changing your perspective. How are you seeing the problem? From your fear or faith?

In the bible we see Jesus asleep in a boat with the disciples, when a vicious storm rises up. Jesus remains relaxed and asleep while the disciples panic believing they are going to die. They wake Jesus up and cry to him "don't you care that we are going to die?" To which Jesus rises and calms the storm with the wave of his hand. Then asks the disciples " Where is your faith?"

This is a great demonstration of the difference between fear and faith. Fear and faith are both different perspectives on the same situation. Two opportunities rising from the one problem. In order to know where our perspective is on a given situation we need to take a pause to contemplate what is really going on. If we want to get stronger and overcome more obstacles we must learn to perceive our own perspective on the problem. Its hard to grow if we don't know we have a problem. I believe we are often bumbling through life unaware that we are being pushed back and forth by storms. Unconsciously being kept safe in the little lives we have created for ourselves. Yet we desire so much more.

Another way to see life is like a video game with levels to be achieved. When we are feeling frustrated and bored by our current circumstances its like being stuck on a level not knowing that you can jump to the next one. But first you have to overcome some issues and pass some challenges. In order to become the person who can inhabit the next level.

The Take Away

When a storm rises in your life, pause yourself in the storm and evaluate the situation. Don't freak out just because you always do. Evaluate and get a plan of attack. Sometimes, just pausing to choose peace instead of panic is enough to take a lot of power off the storm.

Think of all the storms you have endured in your life and realise you are still here. You persevered and overcame them. It might not have been pretty but you made it. And I bet you learned something along the way. Imagine what you could achieve if you left fear out of it and moved with peace and faith that everything is going to be alright. Even if you don't know how just yet.

Have faith that the solutions will show up. Be peaceful even if you don't know what to do…yet. It takes practice, don't expect all your stress responses to go away over night. It will take a constant effort of winning and failing for many years because your dealing with some very old and well established behaviours. Just take it one storm at a time, don't get overwhelmed. Take it one challenge at a time and before too long you will start to see a new pattern of living emerge.

Remember, with each new storm we can get stronger or more fearful. The choice is ours.

Peace, your best is yet to come.