FINDING PEACE IN CHAOS: Finding Calm in the Storm

Where Petals Unfold, Hearts Flourish

Hi Lilies! Ever feel like life’s chaos is taking over? How do you find calm when everything is crazy? For me, it’s about grounding myself – I breathe, notice the little things around me and take a pause. Simple as that may sound, it changes my perspective, as my focus is redirected to something less stressful, less threatening. In this posture, I am able to relax and redirect my emotions. Usually, after some time has passed, so does the feeling of panic or distress, and I am then able to calmly and with clarity, address the issue that was threatening my peace. Maybe for you, it’s doing something else, listening to music, going for a walk, watching a favorite movie. Whatever does it for you, do it, step away from the stressful moment and the temptation to fix the issue now.

At one point in time I worked in customer service for an airline. Anyone who has ever worked in customer service knows how difficult that job can be. Dealing with a large number of people daily can often become very draining and stressful, especially in a situation where something has gone wrong. In the airline industry that happens very often, customers miss their flights, there are issues with the inflight crew, flights being cancelled or delayed, many times due to weather conditions or maintenance issues.

Customers looking to board a flight are doing so for specific reasons and any disruption to their flight schedule can greatly, negatively impact their travel plans.

Whenever, there is a threat of this happening, no matter the reason, travellers can get very upset, often disrespectful, even threatening. I have often found myself at the brunt of someone’s tantrum. It is safe to say that none of the reasons for their distress is due to anything that I have done or could have prevented and efforts to calm and resolve the situation often proves futile. It takes a lot of self restraint not to take their reactions personally, especially when their anger is directed at me, and not the airline. What does one do in such cases? I have already heard what they have to say since they have repeated themselves a few times over, as have I, so with nothing new to add to the conversation – on both sides, I either physically remove myself from the situation, turning the matter over to someone in a higher position, or, if I’m not able to do so, I physically remain there but I wait for an appropriate break in their discourse and I nicely inform them that I will give them some time to decide how they would like to proceed, and I, then move on to the next customer. There is evidently no point trying to resolve a situation while the other party refuses to be reasoned with. Usually, eventually they too arrive at the conclusion – that nothing is getting accomplished, and they soon compose themselves, after which we are able to resolve the situation.

It is important that you are able to identify a potentially chaotic situation and devise a way to remain calm and controlled in it. This example is of a professional environment, and company policy often dictates the way disputes are handled, but the same level of maturity and self-restraint that is used in such an environment, should be practiced and applied in any situation.
Preserving your peace should be a priority.

WHY FINDING PEACE MATTERS:

1. It reduces stress and anxiety;
2. It boosts clarity and focus;
3. It helps you respond, not react.

WAYS TO FIND PEACE IN CHAOS:

1. Breathe: Try a simple 4-7-8 breath; breathe in through your nose for a count of 4; hold your breath for a count of 7; Breath out through your mouth for a count of 8
2. Ground Yourself ~ Notice 5 things you see, feel and hear
3. Move: Take a quick walk or stretch
4. Disconnect: Unplug for a bit (even 5 minutes).

SoSharonSays PEACE PRACTICE:

1. Share what helps you find calm on socials with #SoSharonSaysPeace
2. Get featured on the SoSharonSays website!
3. Download our free peace tracker (link in bio).

YOUR TURN!

1. What’s your go-to-way to find peace?
2. Share tips or ask for ideas
3. Want to join the #SoSharonSaysPeace practice?

GROWING GRACEFULLY

Nurturing you peace is self-care, try to make guarding your peace a lifestyle, because it is! Keep growing, keep blooming!