Regaining Sanity:

Finding Balance in Life's Chaotic Moments

Rosanne Santos
September 11, 2023

At times in our adult lives, we find it necessary to pause, gather our thoughts, and recalibrate before moving forward. It's a common experience for many of us to feel a bit overwhelmed from time to time. Moments of heightened stress can leave us feeling like we're on the verge of losing control. Similarly, being surrounded by individuals whose values significantly differ from our own can contribute to this sense of disorientation. Major life events such as the end of a significant relationship or a transition to a new life phase can also send us into a state of imbalance. These circumstances are recurring aspects of life that naturally impact our mental equilibrium. The manifestations of this mental state can vary widely, from forgetting where we placed our car keys only to later find them in an unexpected location to questioning the accuracy of our perception when those around us seem oblivious to what's happening right before their eyes. For most of us, the key to navigating such moments is to step back, take a deep breath, and regain our composure before determining our next steps.

Sometimes, all it takes is a brief timeout to reset the internal compass. By stepping away from the source of our anxiety or frustration, even for just a day, we can miraculously restore our sense of sanity. Engaging in a conversation with an impartial friend can also be remarkably beneficial. This allows us to gain perspective on the situation that is unsettling us and make informed adjustments accordingly. In more complex or persistent situations, seeking professional assistance may be necessary. Meeting with a trained therapist or a spiritual counselor who understands how the human mind responds to stress, loss, and adversity can provide a profound sense of support and alleviate the feeling of isolation. These professionals can equip us with techniques to regain our mental clarity and facilitate constructive changes. Moreover, they can reflect our inherent goodness, reinforcing our belief in our own well-being.

The primary purpose of the disconcerting sensation of feeling overwhelmed is to signal that something in our lives has fallen out of harmony. It's essential to remind ourselves that we possess the capability to create a balanced and peaceful reality. Understand that virtually everyone, at some point, has experienced a sense of losing control. You deserve a life that promotes your well-being. Consider taking proactive steps today to restore equilibrium and reduce feelings of chaos in your life.

❝

I embrace balance in every aspect of my life, finding harmony and peace within myself and the world around me. With each step I take, I move closer to a centered and balanced existence

DAILY AFFIRMATION

Need To Know

Deadly Quake in Morocco

More than 2,100 people were killed after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the North African country of Morocco early Saturday, with officials warning the death toll would likely rise as rescue teams searched through a number of mountain villages. The tremors were felt as far north as Portugal.

Gauff Wins Title

American teenager Coco Gauff won the women's singles title at the US Open in New York Saturday, defeating top-ranked Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in three sets. The win marks the 19-year-old's first Grand Slam title and makes her the first American teenager to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 1999.

Lee Churns in the Atlantic

Hurricane Lee continued to churn in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend, sitting as a Category 2 storm as of this writing, located a few hundred miles north of Puerto Rico. The storm reached Category 5 status late last week, losing intensity as it encountered significant wind shear, which disrupted the system's circulation.

Politics & World Affairs

> Remains of two 9/11 victims of World Trade Center attack identified ahead of today's anniversary; brings number of victims identified to 1,649 with over 1,000 still missing (More)

> G20 Summit in India concluded Sunday with agreement to admit African Union as member; Brazil set to host in 2024 (More)

> Escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante is seen on front door camera Saturday night 20 miles northeast of Pennsylvania search area with changed appearance, has eluded capture since Aug. 31 (More)

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> Spanish soccer president Luis Rubiales resigns over ongoing investigations into misconduct at Women's World Cup final (More)

Michigan State suspends head football coach Mel Tucker amid sexual harassment allegations (More)

> Team USA loses to Canada at the Basketball World Cup, fails to medal for second consecutive World Cup; Canada wins bronze, its first international men's basketball medal in 87 years (More)

Science & Technology

> Federal officials close probe into April launch of SpaceX's Starship, will require more than 60 changes before approving the next test flight (More)

> Microsoft reports its water usage rose by 34% between 2021 and 2022, largely for use in cooling data centers running AI training models; estimates find a half liter of water is needed to perform five to 50 questions, depending on variables (More)

Business & Markets

> US stock markets close higher Friday (S&P 500 +0.1%, Dow +0.2%, Nasdaq +0.1%) but lower for the week (More)

> Internal Revenue Service to use artificial intelligence to investigate potential tax violations by business partnerships (More)

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Monday • September 11, 2023

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