When Everything Feels Like Chaos 🌀

If you're new here, welcome! I met so many fantastic wayfinders this weekend and I'm thrilled to be with you on this journey of making our way through all the things, spiritually. 

I texted my sibling this week: "On a scale of 1-10, how afraid should I be that the US is going to be attacked?"

They gave no substantive answer.

Which is fair, because what are you supposed to say to that?

The world feels so chaotic right now. Maybe you're sensing it too - this low-grade hum of uncertainty that makes it hard to focus on anything.

I had this low-grade hum one time with an air conditioner that was on the fritz. The repair company came out and said,

"Ma'am. I'm afraid the solution is to just run this thing to failure."

What a line! 

In the midst of all of this, there's your OWN chaos: the decision you can't make, the job that's draining you, the relationship that's ending, the "What's next?" that has no answer yet.

External chaos + internal chaos = exhausting.

Here's what I keep returning to when everything feels like too much:

Chaos isn't the problem. Chaos is the PROCESS.

Every creation story I've ever read starts the same way: formless void, watery chaos, darkness.

And then: breath. Movement. Light. Order emerging from disorder.

Chaos precedes new order.

The mess is part of the making.

Your life falling apart might not be collapse. It might be reconstruction.

The question isn't "How do I stop the chaos?"

The question is: "What wants to emerge from this?"

This week's practice:

When you feel the chaos rising - external or internal - return to your breath.

Literal breath. In and out. Three times. If you can fill your belly with breath and keep your shoulders relaxed, you get bonus points.

Ask: "What if this chaos is clearing space for something new?"

You don't have to know what yet, but you can express a desire or intention while you're in it, so go ahead, add on "Who do I want to be on the other side of this chaos?" 

We trust and work the process (all the way to failure!).

The breath has never betrayed me. It won't betray you either.

If you're in the chaos and need someone to walk alongside you while you figure out what's emerging - that's the work I do. Six-month wayfinding containers for people navigating threshold seasons. Learn more at elainemurray.co/11-wayfinding

—Elaine

PS - I'm trying something new: I recorded an audio version of this week's reflection. If you'd rather listen than read, here it is: AUDIO LINK. About 3 minutes. Let me know if you like this format! Just leave a comment.

PPS - This weekend I led two spiritual wayfinding workshops at a Presbyterian Women's Gathering (55 attendees, both sessions full!). If your church, organization, or group is looking for teaching on navigating transitions and threshold seasons, I'd love to bring this work to you. More info: elainemurray.co/workshops

This reflection is part of Wayfinder's Weekly, my free Monday newsletter for people navigating threshold seasons. Subscribe here

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