Calm in the Wake of a Storm

I was in Gloucester for the 4th of July. It was picturesque, the beautiful ocean, the big glacial rocks and the sounds and smells of the shore were treats to the senses. I was practicing pranayana (breath work)  and observing the ocean and came to think about how the ocean was just like us. It was breathing in and out, the waves inhalations and exhalations. At some moments the water was so calm, like a smooth automatic breath going in and out at any given moment. Then there were times the water’s mood seemed to change. There was an ominous storm on the horizon and the water began to crash quickly, almost like the shallow breath during a fight or flight stress response.

I contemplated how the anticipation of an event can cause unnecessary suffering. The clouds were clustering and the sky appeared to be brewing up a storm yet a few short moments later, the sky was clear. The ocean waves calmed down and the ocean’s “breath” returned to a steady rhythm. I enjoyed this demonstration so much as it clarified a lesson I have been trying to internalize for some time. The anticipation of a “negative” situation can cause unneeded anxiety.

One can burn up a lot of energy thinking about the possibilities of what can go wrong. It is never a bad thing to be prepared, but where can one draw the line between prepared and stressed out? Being prudent is important, please take precautions for any potential threats, but do this within reason.  It can be a waste of emotional and intellectual energy to dedicate excess thoughts to the possibility of a worse case scenario.

The difference between an individual and the ocean is that the individual has awareness and can observe her thoughts and behaviors. So try to notice if your breathing has become shallow or if your posture has tightened at the thought of a potential hazard. If you are scrunched up and contorted, relax! The storm is just a possibility and there is no guarantee it will happen. Even if it does, it might not be so bad so un-wrinkle that face! Many of the most educational and liberating opportunities of my own life have spawn from unintended outcomes.  So beyond being prepared for the worst, why not shift thoughts to now. Check in with yourself frequently. Are you stressed over the upcoming events and afraid they might  not go well? I challenge you to slow down and check in the next time your ocean waves start to crash. Can you breathe deeply and rhythmically despite the possibility of something negative in the wake? If you are calm and centered, even if the storm hits, your clear mindedness will make right-choices available to you! Everything we do is a choice; choose serenity and breath. Be like the ocean, pulsing and alive, emotional and ever-changing, but be all that with awareness. And above all, be kind to yourself, don’t waste life worrying.