Finding Calmness Amidst Chaos
Surviving Life's Storms
Life, much like nature, has a way of throwing challenges at us—storms we see, and don't see coming, powerful forces that test our limits. After reflecting on a recent hurricane and its impact on my own surroundings, I began to see these events as metaphors for how we weather the storms in our own lives. In this week’s Radiate Health and Wellness Podcast episode, we explore these lessons and how we can face life’s challenges with grace, resilience, and a sense of purpose.
The Albizia Tree: Fast Growth, Weak Foundation
During the storm, it was impossible not to notice the Albizia trees. These trees are known for their rapid growth and impressive height, often creating a beautiful canopy over the landscape. But here’s the thing: because Albizia trees grow so quickly, their roots don’t go deep. The wood they develop is brittle and weak. When a storm hits, they can come crashing down, often causing damage to everything around them—homes, cars, and utility lines.
The Albizia tree is a powerful reminder of what happens when we chase rapid success without building a solid foundation. Have you ever known someone who appeared to rise quickly, only to fall just as fast? When we grow without grounding ourselves in our values, or take on too much without nurturing our roots, we set ourselves up for a crash. And when we fall, we unintentionally hurt others around us, just like the Albizia trees that break under pressure and cause damage in their wake. The key is to stay grounded, grow steadily, and make sure our roots are deep enough to support us through life’s storms.
The Ulu Tree: Strength in Vulnerability
I spent some time in my yard after the hurricane, reflecting on the strength of my mighty ulu tree. It’s a thick, resilient tree that has weathered many storms and survived hardships. But this time, I noticed a large branch hanging on by some bark—exposed, raw, and weighed down by the damage it had sustained during the storm. This branch wasn’t going to recover on its own. It got me thinking about how, just like that branch, we sometimes get to ask for help when we’re carrying too much.
Even the strongest among us have our breaking points. We all reach moments when we get to ask for help, pause, and let others support us. Acknowledging this vulnerability isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a testament to our resilience. When we recognize our breaking points, we can take steps to protect ourselves, avoid unnecessary damage, and grow stronger in the process.
The Palm Tree: Flexibility in the Face of Storms
One of the most striking images after the hurricane was the palm trees in my yard. These trees stood throughout the storm, swaying and bending with the wind, but never breaking. Their flexibility allowed them to weather the fiercest gusts, and when the storm passed, they stood upright again, seemingly unharmed.
The palm tree teaches us the power of flexibility. In life, we can’t always stand rigid and firm against every challenge. There are times when we get to bend, to adapt, and to go with the flow of life’s difficulties rather than fighting against them. Being flexible doesn’t mean we’re weak—it means we understand how to survive without breaking. By learning to sway with the winds of change, we build resilience and emerge from life’s storms even stronger.
The Gardenia Petals: Protecting Your Emotions
As I walked through my yard, delicate gardenia petals caught my eye, scattered across the ground from the storm. The wind had swept most of them away, but a few flowers remained on the bush, close to the ground and sheltered by the leaves above. These petals were a reminder of how we get to protect our emotions during life’s chaos. Staying low doesn’t mean hiding; it means protecting what’s delicate, guarding our emotional health, and being patient. We don’t always get to rise above or outshine others—sometimes, we get to stay grounded, find our shelter, and be patient as the storm passes.
The Hurricane Itself: Facing the Chaos
Finally, let’s talk about the hurricane itself. In our lives, we all face hurricanes—those overwhelming people, situations, or challenges that feel like they’re going to tear everything apart. But have you ever stopped to ask: What is the real hurricane in your life? Is it an external force causing chaos, or is it something within you? Sometimes, we’re the ones creating our own storms, driven by fear, anger, or unresolved issues.
No matter where the storm comes from, we have the power to navigate through it.
The Ocean: Clearing Away the Chaos
Finally, let’s talk about the ocean. After the storm, the ocean was murky, filled with debris, its once-clear waters muddied by the chaos. But over time, it began to clear itself, returning to its natural state of calm and clarity.
This is such a beautiful metaphor for our own lives. We often take on the chaos of others—whether it’s their emotions, struggles, or expectations. This can cloud our own peace. But just like the ocean, we have the ability to clear away the debris, to process the chaos and return to a state of calm. It takes time, patience, and the willingness to let go of what isn’t ours to carry.
Facing the Next Storm: Surrender and Trust
One of the biggest lessons I learned during Hurricane Hone was that sometimes, you can’t stay home and control everything. As I was preparing to travel off-island to visit family, I knew another big storm was on the radar. But I couldn’t be there to fix things or manage the situation. Instead, I had to surrender and trust that everything would be okay.
And you know what? That storm never came. If I had stayed home, worrying and trying to control everything, it would have been for nothing. It reminded me that we can prepare for life’s challenges, but sometimes we just have to let go and trust that things will work out.
Final Thoughts
As you reflect on this week’s lessons from the storm, ask yourself: How are you showing up in life’s storms? Are you grounded, flexible, and able to weather the chaos without breaking? Or are you rushing ahead without grounding yourself, risking a crash? Take time to reflect, grow deep roots, and protect what’s most important in your life.
If you want support navigating your own storms, I’d love to assist you as your coach. Together, we can find clarity, strength, and peace in the midst of life’s challenges. Don't hesitate to get in touch with me here.
Also, be sure to check out my newly released book, Health BEAMS, a personal guide designed to help you live a long, healthy lifespan, as well as my book, Discover the Adventure of You, which offers tools for self-discovery and building new, healthy habits.
