Finding the Calm Around Us – And Within Us

As the weather lets us all know that we’ve transitioned from “fall is on its way” to “fall is definitely here,” we’ve been practicing the essential and nuanced art of seeking and creating calm.

The weather can be a helpful cue – until it isn’t. Out in South Bend, Indiana, October for Jeff has meant a good stretch of cold, rainy days. These can seem dreary and unsettling some days – an obstacle to getting outside. But on other days, the invitation to stay inside with a blanket and a book is exactly the calm needed.

Autumn in Park City, Utah, couldn’t be more different and presents Jennifer with never-ending bluebird days. Such an invitation to go out and play! Hikes, walks, runs, and exploration beckon at every turn ... which can also feel too much once in a while when she just wants to nest inside.

It’s a theme that has presented itself quite a bit in our work this month: calm is where we create it. Our surroundings can cue us to a desired state, so it’s always helpful to be intentional about where we place ourselves. But if we rely on the outside world to be our only cue for peace and rest, we may be frustrated and anxious.

We can all see and feel the disruption and uncertainty around us. The practice of the conscious leader is to register it without plugging into it and then choose to root our thoughts to an internal gyroscope rather than any external stimulus. In a world that seeks healing, we can start by giving ourselves the space to rest, recuperate, and heal.

Easier said than done! Where can you start? As always, start with awareness. Bring awareness to what you love instead of what makes you anxious, stressed, or afraid. What lights you up? Nature? Your kids? Art? Good food? Football? Notice it.

Then, allow yourself the space to be grateful for it. Allow the feelings of love and gratitude into your heart. Can you feel gratitude for the blessings in your life, even for a moment? That’s the practice. You’ll find more room for those feelings as you create more space for them. As gratitude and love create space within you, you’ll start to see it spread outwards from you.

A calm, grateful heart opens the way to a calmer day-to-day experience.

Give it a try!

Whether your autumn orange and yellow have been made even more brilliant by gray clouds or highlighted by a landscape of bright blue, we hope you’re finding the calm inside that you need and deserve.