Rather than bore you with the drama that's been happening this past week, I thought it better to focus on finding my peaceful place and how I go about doing that.
Drama it seems is everywhere and finding the calm amidst chaos can in itself be a challenge. I'm reminded of Gandalf in Lord of the Rings, stranded on that tower and yet he finds that butterfly/moth thing and whispers to it. The same happens later in the movie during a battle scene. In both scenes, the moth flutters away and brings an eagle (or eagles)which in turn helps end the drama.
To me, it's the same concept. When events chaotic and it seems that it's just one problem after another, we need to stop, take a deep breath and send out to the universe our desire for serenity. But I don't think this can be done with an anxious or hurried attitude. I believe it must be done with a gentle and calm intent. Like setting a paper sailboat on a gently moving stream or softly blowing those soap bubbles on the plastic stick. If we move too quickly or with too much force the boat tips over or the bubble pops.
So how do we reach that calm? How do we lovingly send into the universe peace when kids are screaming, bills are piling up or the phone is ringing off the hook? Well first I just stop. Just plain come to a screeching halt. I turn my phone on silent, close my eyes and take a deep cleansing breath or two then remind myself that all this is only temporary. That soon enough, peace will come. I sometimes imagine myself in a cool forest and try to imagine the smell of the earth and the sound of the trees in the breeze. I try to imagine it to the very last detail. Sometimes I imagine a warm tropical paradise with turquoise water that looks shallow and the pristine sand below. Those are just my peaceful places, but you can think of anywhere you want. Once I pick a place, I allow that serenity to soak into my being so that in THAT attitude, I can focus on prioritizing the issues that need my attention and deal with them, one at a time. Things that are resolvable are resolved. Things that are being attended to but will take time to resolve are filed in the mental file cabinet "check on progress later". And things that I cannot change I try to find a way to see the good in it or ask what lesson can be learned or how can it be prevented again.
Sometimes in the evening, my mind still goes and goes and just will NOT shut off, so I find mindless things to occupy myself with. Activities like mah jong or looking at pretty images and collecting them in albums work well for me. But I stay away from anything which requires real thought or that has any negative feeling. No news, no tv dramas, no lists of what has to be done the next day and NO Facebook where I'm reading about other people's drama. In essence, I create a happy bubble if only for a short time. It's a place to recharge, regroup and remember that while things can be intense, it's only temporary and our character is being tested.
Creating a soothing environment also helps in calming the storm. Sometimes pleasant scents, fountains, candles, voiceless music such as classical or piano can help with soothing nerves. I prefer food smells. They're comforting to me. My daughter prefers floral scents. Candles are calming even if only burning on a corner table or otherwise in the background. And as far as music goes, I ALWAYS have soothing music/nature sounds playing in my home. I believe that soothing music is positive and therefore there is no room for negativity. However, when I play other types of music such as pop, rock or whatever, things do indeed become more active. Then it's only a matter of time before bickering happens, dogs begin acting up more and the noise level in our home goes up. I limit my exposure to those kinds of music to when I work out, when I'm driving alone in the car or sometimes when entertaining. I don't think there is anything wrong with upbeat music, however when things are chaotic and you're needing things to calm down, try putting on some nature sounds or soft piano music. The sound of birds, crickets or whales is sooooo soothing.
And if all the above still isn't helping you're seriously stressed and just need a giant glass of wine!
Give it a try. I'd love to hear how YOU calm down when things are crazy. I've also included some beautiful pics that calm me down....maybe they'll do the same for you....
Namaste & God Bless,
Angelica
This is the biography of the former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Margaret Thatcher. A grocer's daughter passionate about principal, standing for what's right, her struggle for respect in a man's world, her controversies, loss of power and eventual decline into dementia. Set in current time, the movie portrays an elderly Ms. Thatcher played by Meryl Streep, who suffers from dementia and who frequently talks to her dead husband. The movie takes the viewer back to Ms Thatcher as a young woman, determined to make a difference in the world, refusing to end up and old woman washing her teacup in the kitchen. The story unfolds, revealing how she came into power, and progresses through her position in office then comes full circle into current time, showing her washing her teacup in the kitchen.
While many critics are outraged at the depiction of Ms. Thatcher's decline into dementia as being disrespectful and exploitative, I wholeheartedly disagree. I found the mood of the movie, very tasteful and compassionate. Dementia is quite common among the elderly and is a most unfortunate fact. Because the director Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia!) chose to portray this fact, this movie brings to light thought provoking issues like, perhaps society should think twice before dismissing the elderly and all that they have contributed to the world. That senior citizens are not to be thrown away or disregarded, but honored for the sacrifices they've made. That regardless of their current state of mind, in no way does that indicate that great things have not been done. 
