Finding Calm in the Chaos
Welcome to the Infinitely Precious community. As always, remember: You are infinitely precious and unconditionally loved for the gift you already are.
Each week, I come to you live on Tuesdays at noon, with a rebroadcast of the Infinitely Precious podcast at 3 p.m. And every Friday, I release a shorter, 10-minute podcast where I share reflections. This past week, though, I struggled with my message. I had to record multiple takes before I could find the clarity I needed to share something truly helpful.
Why? Because chaos is everywhere. It’s in the news, on social media, in our communities, and even within us. And in the midst of it, I found myself falling into the very thing I try to avoid—reactivity. Instead of contributing to meaningful conversation, I was tempted to blame, mock, or point fingers. That’s not the voice I want to cultivate in this space.
The Power of Naming
When we face overwhelming emotions, one of the best things we can do is name them. This is a practice I’ve cultivated over 13 years through meditation, centering prayer, and journaling. When I sense chaos rising in me, I take time to write down what’s happening. Often, clarity emerges.
Much of our distress comes from either borrowing anxiety from a future that doesn’t yet exist or dragging around regret from the past. But the only moment we truly have is now. Naming what’s going on in the present helps bring us back to that reality.
Breathing Through the Chaos
Once we name the feeling, we can breathe through it. I pause and take a deep breath, slowing down my heart rate and my mind. It’s easy to get caught up in knee-jerk reactions, especially in today’s world of instant communication. But I’ve learned that reaction isn’t the same as response. Reactivity adds to the noise, while thoughtful response can create space for something meaningful.
We see this dynamic playing out everywhere—especially in the way we engage online. I’ve been guilty of responding impulsively to social media posts that frustrate me. Even when I try to counter disinformation with facts, it often only fuels further division. I’ve learned (and am still learning) to step back and ask myself: Is this adding to the noise, or is this helping create understanding?
Choosing a Thoughtful Response
When we feel overwhelmed, we need to step back and ask: What is my role here? Is there a meaningful way for me to engage? Rather than reacting in frustration, we can take time to reflect, pray, meditate, or simply sit with our thoughts before we respond.
It’s easy to feel pressure to respond instantly to every crisis, every comment, every breaking news story. But often, wisdom comes in the waiting. Thoughtful engagement allows us to act with integrity, instead of being swept up in the whirlwind of outrage.
Stepping Back from the Noise
The world is loud. Information—both accurate and misleading—bombards us daily. And too often, the volume of chaos from every side can push us into a state of constant reactivity. But we don’t have to participate in the noise. We can step back, breathe, and ask ourselves how we want to show up in the world.
If you feel overwhelmed, take a walk. Turn off the news. Sit in silence. Give yourself permission to reset. When you return, do so with intention, offering words and actions that reflect the wholeness you seek to cultivate.
You Are Infinitely Precious
At the end of the day, we will all make mistakes. We’ll react instead of responding. We’ll contribute to the noise instead of fostering peace. But when that happens, we can step back, learn, and try again.
So, take a deep breath. Name what’s troubling you. Slow down. And remember: You are infinitely precious and unconditionally loved for the gift you already are.
Until next time.
Infinitely Precious 