Meaningful Reflections: Peaceful Pathways
Meaningful Reflections with Chaplain Kim Crawford Meeks is a monthly column that provides words of encouragement for associates at USA Health.
By Kim Crawford Meeks
Spiritual Care Manager
Peace…
It is in the shimmer of the morning dew.
It is in the calm of the waves at the seashore.
It is in the flight of the butterfly.
It is in the twinkle of starlight on a dark night.
It is in the sunshine the day after a devastating twister.
It is in the rocky, crooked path we try to travel.
Peace is in the dew as it provides drink to the tiny insects and butterflies.
Peace is in the symphony produced by the ocean as it rises and falls.
Peace is in the cocoon wrapping around chubby caterpillars as they grow beautiful wings to soar through spring.
Peace is on our pathway as we find that smooth rock to stand on where we can rest, be still and feel the sun.
May is National Mental Health Month. Today is always a good day to consider practices of self-care. Healthy self-care includes physical and mental attention. We all strive to find the peaceful pathway, but unfortunately life does not always offer peace. It is especially important to practice good self-care when we are going through stress or difficult times. For many tips regarding mental health, visit Mental Health America.
A wonderful technique for calming or grounding during anxiety is the 5-4-3-2-1 Senses Method.
Look around and focus on:
- 5 things you see
- 4 things you feel/touch
- 3 things you hear
- 2 things you smell
- 1 thing you taste
The idea is that the 5-4-3-2-1 technique helps you shift your focus to what currently is happening around you instead of what is making you feel anxious.
Finally, let us remember to be a person of peace for those around us. May we all have peace that passes understanding.
Chaplain Kim Crawford Meeks and the Meaningful Reflections Line can be reached at 251-451-9015.
