Turn Off the Fan

Many of us are feeling off-kilter, distressed by the tumult of the world, and worried that worse things may be ahead.

It’s like we are living with a ceiling fan that is unbalanced. We see the vibrations and hear the rumbles and squeaks. The fan is inefficient, produces scant air movement, and strains the motor.  Not only that, it sometimes shakes so violently it feels like it could crash down on us.

The problem might be a buildup of dirt, loose screws, wear and tear, or a faulty installation. Regardless of the source of the problem, there is no way to find and fix the problem while the fan is still spinning. First, we have to turn it off.

With so much change, uncertainty, and discord in our world, we can easily become off-balance. Let’s not wait for a personal breakdown—like a violently shaking fan that crashes to the ground—but instead admit we need to take preemptive steps to deal with the imbalance,  stress, and consequences to our health.

We cannot determine the best steps for ourselves without first turning off the fan or, in other words, slowing down and creating time for quiet and solitude. Time alone for reflection is the first step— outside  in nature, in a quiet corner of your home, or even in your parked car. I’m not suggesting a one-off experiment with quiet time, but an ongoing commitment to this  new way of life. You will only know your second and third steps once you’ve taken your first step!

We have many steps to choose from. Some of us need to decrease or change the way we get news. Written news is usually less stressful that news with images and videos.  Others might find relief through political auction, working to make a difference instead of feeling helpless. Some may choose to donate money to organizations they believe in. Others will prioritize time for prayer. Or we can choose any combination of these or other steps in our quest to heal ourselves and our world.

This is it friends. Short and sweet. Turn off the fan.

SUGGESTIONS:

1. Think about what Blaise Pascal said in the 17th century: “All of humanity’s problems stem from mans’ inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” What would Pascal think about how we live our lives today?

2. Devote 10-15 minutes today to plan how and when you can create some quiet and solitude in your daily routine.

3. I’ve discovered a new source of news called Tangle . It offers both sides of issues in a unique email format. I encourage you to check it out.

4. If taking action is your next step to deal with the fan, consider Five Calls. It is a simple tool to make it easier for you to contact your local representatives about issues that concern you.

I hope you are all enjoying Spring.

God bless.

Love, Donna

EXTRAS

Navigate our messy world with more ease in 2025!

In our FREE 10-episode video series, “Engaging with a Messy World,” Integral Coach Susan Riggs and I unlock how we can each live access more grace, inner-calm, and resilience.

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Dr. Donna Chacko promotes health of body, mind, and spirit through her website (serenityandhealth.com), her blog, her podcast/vlog series, “Engaging with a Messy World” and " “Pop-Up Conversations on Health of Mind, Body, and Spirit,” and programs at her church. She is the author of Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey (Luminare Press, 2021), a recent best-seller on Amazon, 2022 Illumination Awards Gold Medal Winner, 2022 Reader Views Literary Award Gold Medal Winner, and 2022 Catholic Media Association First Place Awards.