Peace in the Midst of Chaos

I remember the first time I was home alllll day for several days with my dog, Baby (named for my Dirty Dancing obsession-don’t judge me).  I just knew she was about to die. I was talking to one of my friends, and told her I was going to call the vet because Baby was sooooo lethargic and sooooooo out of it. I said, “she’s never like that when I come home, she’s usually active and jumping all over the place.”  My friend said, “if you don’t stop it, the vet will think you’re crazy. The dog is doing what dogs do all day…sleep! Don’t call!” Needless to say, I called the vet anyway, because in my mind, she was fading fast and I had to get her help, right?  Well, the vet echoed my friend’s sentiment and all I could do is laugh. I had basically assumed my dog was dying for exhibiting typical dog behavior!

I probably have one of the most overactive minds I know, if you don’t believe me, just ask anyone who truly knows me. I can tell you many stories about a multitude of conversations that have ended with, “Tracy, how in the world did you get that out of this”, or, “I’m not going down that rabbit hole with you today”. I laugh as I type those statements, because they have both been said to me at least once in the past 48 hours. Gotta love the friends that really know you right?  They have got to love you to hear what you’re saying and what you’re not saying and know what you’re feeling even when you try to hide it. They try to keep you out of the “proverbial” rabbit holes! Some of us are just fortunate that way, huh?!

Why am I talking about an active mind??? Well, I guess If I’m being honest, I’m really not talking about an active mind, as much as I’m talking about an overthinking one.  An overthinking mind that can rob you of making memories, embracing moments, and being fully present in your own life.  An overthinking mind turns you into a worrier and stifles your warrior capabilities.  An overthinking mind can paralyze you with your own thoughts ensure that you are not productive or present in your own life; and before you know it, you’ve single-handedly robbed yourself of peace. The great thing about right now, in these times and in these moments, you have the opportunity to find a whole other level of peace in the midst of all the chaos around us.  Shooot, I’ve been in my house for almost two weeks and what has my dog been doing??? She is sleeeping all day in between stealing snacks; and guess what; I haven’t called the vet. I’m learning not to create issues where there are none😂…PEACE!

Sometimes the best part of living is being still when you can.  So, always be who you are, but don’t lose yourself in your own thoughts…seek and keep your peace.

P- Press on—-you can’t do anything about the things you can’t do anything about you.  Think about it!  On second thought, don’t think about it, just keep it moving!

E- Embrace the moments that bring you joy.  Sometimes we hold on to the bad, when we can so easily choose the good.  Joy is a choice, choose it.

A- Allow yourself to be still!  In stillness, there’s serenity, an in serenity there’s peace.

C- Calm your internal chaos. You have the tools, dust them off and use them.

E- Encourage yourself.

You are your ANSWER to living a life that’s GOLDEN!  Find peace in the midst of chaos!

Song References:  ANSWER:  JOSS STONE                   GOLDEN:  JILL SCOTT