Listen. Listen to others, listen to your soul.  This thought has been on my mind for weeks.  When someone opens up with a thought or issue it is so important to listen.  Listen to each word, pay attention to their emotions and listen with your heart.  It has struck me how hard that is for most people to accomplish.  It seems our first reaction is to tell a story about ourselves.  It is almost like a contest of experiences.  Why is that?  I think of the times when I have wanted someone to listen to me.  The times I have tried to express a feeling or fear it seems the conversation shifts to them.  I hear their experience, their problem, their life.  Why do people feel that sharing their experience is what you need in your moment of sadness, frustration or pain.  My challenge is to listen.  Listen without adding input.  Listen without a comparing story or advice.  All I am going to do is listen.  Being still and quiet can also serve our souls.  Just think about being quiet and still and letting your soul guide you.  Healing comes from silence.

This morning while running my Leona Miller 14 Day Challenge (Part 56) a turtle was in my path.  The turtle kept it's head out the entire time I marveled at it.  This turtle showed no fear of me.  My wild life creature showed peace, serenity and strength.  This beautiful animal got me thinking about her determination.  She walks slowly staying strong despite obstacles or distractions.  Indians thought of the turtle as the peace-maker fostering peace and harmony with all things.  The turtle is also strong.  While swimming the turtle is fast.  I feel this is the perfect representation of how to manage our emotions and manage our days.  The turtle is a reminder of our need for emotional strength.  We need to stay peaceful, yet determined - grounded and persistent.  Mastering our emotions is the key to success and life.  Being calm, steady and determined brings joy to you and those around you.  Passing along peace and calm to others is the best gift you can give someone.  Stay peaceful and patient.  Model the turtle.

Managing your emotions is a tremendous challenge.  Devastating events happen and shake our faith. How do we acknowledge and honor our feeling and give people in our lives the same gift. Mastering the art of calmness is the foundation for this success.  When there is a struggle, a deep feeling in the depth of your soul that feels hopeless, that is when calm needs to take over.  I am not talking about avoiding the feeling but being still with it.  It is almost like watching it with fascination.  Mastering this technique will allow you to overcome anything life throws at you.  Anything is possible when approached this way.  
These photos are of the same bridge.  One is before a flood and the second is during the flood.  The bridge is completely covered.  This wasn't the only area the water was rushing.  It was flooding the backyard, the crawl space of our home, everywhere.  When I stopped panicking and became still and calm, I saw the breathtaking beauty.  This was a superb moment of spectacular beauty.  Being calm allowed me to enjoy the moment.  The event would have been exactly the same regardless of my emotions.  Looking back I clearly see if I chose to be upset I would have changed nothing except bring sorrow instead of joy to my day.