As work wrapped up and the skies darkened, I muttered aloud if we were expecting a thunderstorm. No sooner did those words leave my lips when a low rumble of thunder came from above, as if Mother Nature started to move her furniture around.
I checked the forecast and sure enough severe weather alerts were flooding social media channels and news apps. Consciously, I shutdown for the day and prepared for the storm which consisted of one large aromatic candle, opening the deck door ahead of the rain, and plopping down in my favorite chair to unwind with my little dog.
We sat in the dark, bathed in candlelight, looking through the windows to gage how close the storm was getting. No TV. No internet. No music. Simply the sound of silence filling the room, offering an abundance of calm and stillness.
As the rain swooped in and the storm ramped up, thunder clapping and lightning piercing the evening sky, I felt at peace. The sound of the rain, pouring down in sheets and blowing sideways, hitting the windows and making a sound that is best described as a crackling fire. I inhaled the smell of rain and earth, savoring the moment, taking an even deeper breath as I closed my eyes, serenity filling my soul, quieting my mind, and warming my heart. Despite the chaos outside our home, there was nothing other than complete peace within.
I was reminded that no matter what is happening around us, we have the ability to create our own peace. We can hold space for ourselves, and tune in – in order to tune out.
So drown out the noise of this world by listening to the sounds of nature – rain, wind, birds, bees, crickets, tree frogs, and the list goes on. See the beauty in this world by making the time to stop, and witness the wonder that surrounds us – the sky, the sun, the moon, lush grass, and more. Inhale deeply and even imagine your favorite scent if it’s not possible to actually smell it in the moment – fresh cut grass, the ocean, morning dew, coffee brewing, to name a few.
By putting this into practice, you can find your calm in any storm.
