Hurricanes, Tigers, & Bears, Oh My!

In case you have not heard this from anyone lately, fear and anxiety are a natural part of the human experience. It is perfectly normal to feel these feelings.

Here in central Florida, we are preparing for Hurricane Heline. Schools have been closed, and communities are preparing. For a child and even an adult, weather-related events, like Heline, can be terrifying and can cause feelings of fear and anxiety to overwhelm the nervous system.

When asked about scary events like hurricanes, one of my favorite human beings, Mr. (Fred) Rogers, said, "When I was a boy, and I saw scary things in the news, my mother would say, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people that are helping.'" The magic of looking on the bright side, seeing the positives in every situation, and looking for helpers are potent tools for scary situations.

At this moment, I am reminded of Hurricane Dorian, which devastated the Bahamas in 2019. The community of Florida rose above the situation and helped bring supplies to the most devastated regions. Millions of Floridians gave money, supplies, water, food, time, boats, etc to help people they had never met. At our core, that is what humans desire the most: to help others and be a part of the community.

Yes, lions, tigers, bears, hurricanes, and even life can be scary. In frightening situations, always look for helpers or be a helper; take time to breathe, ground yourself, and remind yourself it's okay to have these feelings. Stay safe, dear Friends, stay calm, and remember to connect to your breath.

Namaste.