Disasters happen in spite of your best efforts.  Currently many of you are enduring the effects of Hurricane Sandy and the impact of its aftermath.  For some life has been disrupted, and for others it has forever changed.  So how do you handle and recover for devastating blows when they occur?  Here are a few suggestions in handling life in the midst of crisis.

Disasters produce those needing help, and those that want to help. Yet, both have a tendency to become immobilized.  The folks that want to help become immobilized for a number of reasons.  Because they don't know what to do, they do nothing.  Additionally, their fear of overstepping their bounds may cause them to wait to be invited in to help.  The fear of being over committed may cause them to hesitate, avoiding being overwhelmed.  And like those impacted, they too become immobilized.

For those not knowing what to do, think of what you would want others to do for you in this circumstance.  Reach out to see what is needed.  Often there is little that can be done, but you have at least opened yourself up to another person.  This act in itself spiritually elevates you and the person you have reached out to.   If your request to assist is greater than you can provide, let them know what is realistic for you.  You then have the opportunity to reach out to others you know that may be able to assist.

The folks going through the disaster often become so overwhelmed that they end up not knowing where to turn; so they just stop. T his is a dangerous place to be since immobilization leads to more complications and the potential for further deterioration of your circumstances.

It can be of great help to reach out to family and friends.  For those impacted, it is important to let others help.  Please let others know specifically what you need.  If you're specific it will actually help others help you.  People are often looking for purpose in life.   When you allow others to help, it actually helps both of you. Being human is to have needs.  Allowing others to help you allows others to share in your humanness with you.  This lifts you both spiritually. Finally, maintain connections with others.  In suffering we are exposed, but through community we are all strengthened.

As you progress it is important to try assembling some semblance of order in your life.  If you were not directly impacted, stop watching news reports and rewatching the disaster on TV.  Doing this can actually retraumatize you, even if you were not actually in the event.  If you were directly impacted try to form some daily schedule for your life.  Schedules provide us with an opportunity to gain some control even though many other areas in our life may be out of control.   Make lists of what you can do and take action on those things.  Helping others is also another way to redirect your energies. Some of the greatest goodness comes the midst of tragedy.  So look for opportunities where they exist around you.

Finding balance in the midst of chaos is often a difficult task that cannot be adequately described to someone who is not going through it.  Calming ourselves is one way of gaining insight into what actually can be done even in the midst of a crisis.  Take the time for prayer and meditation in order to center yourself and respond more effectively. Recognize that each day that you get up is an opportunity on the road to recovery; taking it one day at a time.

Be well,

John