Another storm is brewing. And it’s a big one.
As we Floridians prepare and then wait for the impact of Hurricane Helene, metaphorical thoughts percolate within. I don’t know why, but I do this a lot, extracting deeper meaning from happenings.
To be clear, I’m on the east side of Florida. And right now, my community is out of the direct path, and should just experience the outer bands of wind and rainfall. But as everyone watches and waits, the atmosphere is heavy—literally and, of course for me, metaphorically.
Today’s thoughts are landing in this place of rhythms and cycles, and how sometimes calamity precedes calm, rain before rainbows. Natural patterns, yet still difficult and devastating nonetheless.
I moved to Florida in 1999. I have lived through enough hurricanes now to know how to prepare, brace for, and even ride the storms. From this I have learned five momentous things about life:
- I cannot control the weather—and please do not read this as a political statement. It is not. But I can control preparation to reduce risks from brewing storms, and I can control how I respond to the out-of-my-control outcome.
- Evacuations have taught me to minimize my stuff. Do I really need all these things? If it all got wiped out today, what would I truly miss or need? I say this as I gear up for another cleansing of things as I do every year in October. Having fewer things frees my mind space to better navigate during difficult times.
- Stay informed, while steering clear of sensationalized stories. Balance even trustworthy information with breaks. And make decisions based on facts, not out of fear.
- One day, one instance, one happening, can change a life. Live, laugh, breathe. Deeply. Today.
- Community is a beautiful thing. We need one another to celebrate together and to support one another during our storms.
Praying today for preparation and peace for all my Florida friends.
Be Momentous! 🌎
Be in community. And live, laugh, breathe. Deeply. Today.