And the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds,
Cleanses me with its noise,
And imposes a rhythm upon everything in me,
That is bewildered and confused."
Rainer Maria Rilke
This poem has always resonated with me, for it is to the sea that I go when I feel disquieted. I have always been sensitive to my environment and the ocean is a natural draw for me and I visit frequently to maintain my balance.
Having a place to go that grounds you is similar to rebooting your computer. It gets rid of the debris, restores function to your programs and gives new energy. Places in nature are often chosen: some people go to the mountains, the desert, the woods behind the house. But your special place can be anywhere that allows you to step outside the chaos and noise of both the world and your own mind and be at peace. A quiet room in your home, an altar with items of significance, your back yard or balcony garden; any of these can serve. Sometimes an activity like riding a horse, surfing, yoga, meditation or even swinging in a swing can provide the balance that helps to heal your soul.
In times of stress we often put aside such practices, forgetting that they can help us move through difficult times. When I was a child, there was an old oak tree in a nearby woods that I would climb whenever the world became overwhelming. Perhaps you had a similar place of refuge in your childhood. Think about where your special place might be now, for the world is very much with us these days, Even a few moments of peace and quiet can prove to be the most productive part of the day.