If you happen to feel that this week is asking a lot of you - as you try to look ahead, while also reckoning with everything that has already happened - I hope that this could be a reminder to take a deep breath.

For yes, you don't know what tomorrow is going to look like, and this is also true: the moments you are taking on days like this to breathe, are also strengthening you. Slow down and take a moment and think of a place or a space that gives you a sense of calm. Is it by the lake, by the ocean, out in the forest? What part of that place is always constant? Do you always hear the sound of the water there? Do you always notice the way the sun rises through the trees? Notice how even your memory of this place can bring you to a moment of stillness. Notice how the leaves on the trees are still green, or the bark or rich brown, or the color of the water clear and glistening in the light. Notice how all of these things are still present and steady, even when life is not.

When you find yourself overwhelmed by chaos, or even an awkward conversation that has to be had, take a deep breath, and remember that place. Allow whatever is beautiful about that landscape to speak to your soul. Even though taking a moment to reflect on something beautiful may not make your problems or your worries go away, they will remind you that you have the opportunity every day to find a sense of steadiness.

Merriam Webster defines steadiness as: the state of continuing without change.

So whatever it is in the present moment, or even just in your memory, that reflects a sense of changelessness - a sense of consistency and stability - allow yourself to hold onto that image. And allow yourself to go into that image. Pay attention to what colors, what textures, what the weather is like in that place. And again, this won't make everything that is difficult or challenging in life suddenly disappear - but it will illuminate what is beautiful. What is true. What is steady, even when uncertainty surrounds you. Find steadiness today by reflecting on what has not changed. Find steadiness by reflecting and holding on to what is beautiful and true, no matter what's around you.

Journal: Using all of your available senses, describe a place that brings you a sense of calm.

How you can support this podcast:

Leave a review in the Apple Podcasts App!

Download my app "Storyteller" for daily messages, wallpapers, and FREE push notifications: http://onelink.to/stapp (http://onelink.to/stapp)

My shop: http://garden24.co/ (http://garden24.co)

How you can connect on social media:

Instagram http://instagram.com/morganharpernichols (Instagram.com/morganharpernichols)

Twitter: http://twitter.com/morganhnichols (twitter.com/morganhnichols)

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/morganharpernichols (pinterest.com/morganharpernichols)

YouTube: http://youtube.com/morganharpernichols (youtube.com/morganharpernichols)

TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@morganharpernichols (tiktok.com/@morganharpernichols)

Facebook: http://facebook.com/morganharpernichols (facebook.com/morganharpernichols)

---

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/morganharpernichols/message