Finding Peace in the Storm

By Linney Elder

I was thinking about the years that I was involved in sailing yachts and how my life can be likened to some of those trips on the ocean.

There were times when it was obvious that the elements were more in control than we were and that there was only so much we could do to ensure that we arrived home safely with the yacht intact.

At times like that I remembered childhood prayers and began appealing to unseen guardians, hoping that my pleas would be heard and answered.

As I looked behind at the frightening mountain of waves chasing the yacht, I realised how small and insignificant we were in the grander scheme of things. How little we could actually do to control the wild onward rush and how vulnerable we were to whatever was waiting ahead, unseen in the frothy, heaving water.

So, it occurred to me that those are the times when you just have no option but to live in the moment, trusting that you will arrive in harbour safely.

• It’s no good analysing how long it’s taken to cover the distance you’ve travelled, or whether the course you chose was the best.
• There’s not much point is fretting about what lies ahead.
• Just accept where you are, concentrate on NOW and staying present.
• Be clear about where you want to go, set a course, make sure the tiller is working ok, keep a keen eye on things, then get on with it.
• Keep gradually moving forward, trusting your own intuition that you are on the best course.
• Deal with the swells, cross currents and any other obstacles that appear, work carefully around them.
• Stay on course, trust, have faith and believe in yourself.
• You are the skipper of your own life.

You will eventually arrive safely back in harbour, maybe not the harbour you initially planned to moor up in, but wherever you end up – it will be perfect and the timing will be perfect as well.

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, look back and consider the lessons the trip may be presenting.

• What might you do differently next time?
• Were you clear in your mind about your destination?
• Were you adequately prepared?
• How did you cope with the constant changes and challenges?
• Did you learn to trust in the process?

Oh – and don’t forget to say a little prayer of thanks for your safe arrival.

Affirmations for finding peace in the storm:

• I AM safe in the world
• I AM always where I need to be
• I release control of my destiny
• I trust the process of my perfectly unfolding life
• I flow with no resistance through life
• I am like a river, I flow over and around obstacles with ease