This morning, in a public place, a friend of mine lost her 22 month old toddler. This woman was frantic. It appeared to her as if everyone around her appeared unaware or simply minded their own business. A few people were helping but not panicking. As my friend raced around, looking high and low, her focus shifted from composure to fear. I reassured her and yet she felt time was running out and so, started calling the police.
Even so, I continued to search the immediate area. Soon afterwards, I discovered the child happy as can be. This toddler had innocently wandered out of a busy library, unnoticed by a manned reception desk, by automatic doors to the street, run down a corridor, by an open toy library, passed doors to toilets and by people before entering a playgroup area. The child easily blended in and started playing with toys. This child continued acting as if all is well. How you would respond in her mom's shoes? Feel relieved by a hug and move on? Come what may, are you always calm as a cucumber? Or do you struggle to let go of fear?
Very often the body is here, but the mind is not. It gets caught in the net of uncertainty. It is not totally here. The past is totally gone and future not yet here. Breathe mindfully to focus on the present. The next time you are fearful, follow your breath. You touch the miracle and insight of being alive. Exhale tension, fear, anger, regret and guilt in the body.
It may surprise you that nobody in the area responded as if a wandering toddler is out of the ordinary. Even the adults near their children attending playgroup did not look for a missing parent. Its not about others though, is it? Its about how each of us responds to the situations life throws our way. Every situation offers lessons. We can be grateful for guardian angels, and focus on knowing all is well, or assume the worst. Notice visions triggered in the mind.
What causes you to shift away from peace of mind? What do you take away from situations that scare you? Who or what prompts you to lose your cool and freak out? How is each new focus of attention a true gift? When are you 'calm, cool and collected?'
“Happiness is not the absence of problems, it's the ability to deal with them.” -Steve Marboli
"God is happiness and available twenty four hours a day." - Andre Gide