When life gets chaotic, I find solace in a few simple yet powerful practices. One of my favorite ways to regain my sense of calm is to go for a walk by the ocean, especially during sunset. The rhythmic sound of the waves and the stunning colors of the sky create a serene atmosphere that helps me clear my mind and find perspective.
Additionally, painting serves as another therapeutic outlet for me. It allows me to express my emotions creatively and immerse myself in the process, providing a much-needed escape from the chaos. Both of these activities remind me to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Thank you, Donny, for another prayer walk—this time from this incredible place! (A bit noisy, though.) 🤭😂
“Finding Peace in Chaos”
This has been my challenge over the past two years. What brings me peace in the midst of chaos is always remembering that God is in control of everything!
My most recent chaos has been with the medical staff dealing with my illness. People don’t understand what you’re going through. If they’re not believers they are hard to talk to. They definitely didn’t help me through it. My friends did by praying for me. My chaos was physical. These are times I appreciate the quietness of my dogs. God uses them to comfort me. My youngest one makes me smile and laugh taking my mind off the situation. He does zoomers running around with his ball. Taking my mind off my pain. What I just went through was hard but I thank God for you. I’m in recovery now and find what I need is prayer and people to understand and love me where I am. Bless you my friend.
Wow. This prayer walk really illustrated your point. As you wandered through the busy streets, I felt tense and the desire to escape. As soon as you got to the beach, the anxiety melted away. I just shared a blog post this morning about finding rest in the busyness of life. I mentioned in it that sometimes when I have that "overbusy" feeling, I recite the 23rd Psalm. It's hard to feel chaotic when you are "made to lie down in green pastures and led by still waters." It's been fun to share your Mexico experience!
For me, Donny, it depends on the chaos. I grew up in NYC and in my younger days, I just went with the flow of the busy streets, people walking and talking all around. I was like the needle resting on an LP record...settling into my personal groove and making my own "music."
Now, I yearn for quiet and peace. I want to feel life pour into my body and hear the sounds of nature and God.
Yes, I love to be around beautiful people, have fun, travel, see it all! But then I return to me. Where peace lies in my soul.❤️🙏
I have to admit that I have a low tolerance for chaos and avoid it as much as possible. . As an example, my husband has been to Mexico twice, and I haven't joined him. After Chris' first visit he assured me I'd hate it. So avoidance is my main strategy as I simply don't thrive in the environment you are walking in.
Thanks for your good questions. Blessings Don 🙏🕯🙏🤗💕
Wow! What a beautiful place to walk but chaos can be so challenging. I find chaotic noises are different or unique from person to person depending on the situation, a classroom, pre-school, sporting event, business conference, parade, traffic, airport, hospital, large family event…. I love your suggestion to approach each in prayer. As always thank you for sharing. Blessings 🙏❤️
WOW! What a walk... Like you as you were walking and I saw the water ahead of you all I could think was get there and settle into the quiet. It was very interesting how I could feel myself grow anxious the more chaotic your walk became. In fact, I almost closed out of my computer as to not have those feelings.
For most if my adult life I have spent time thriving in the chaos (or so I thought) busy as a mom with my three boys all involved in sports and music, working full-time while completing my college education, and then becoming a teacher. When my kids were grown and on their own I stayed busy coaching, tutoring afterschool and honestly whatever else I could find to stay busy. Then about three years ago - it caught me I had my first of a few major panic attacks. My body's way and I am sure God's way of saying time to stop and take notice of what is really going on inside you. Since then I have stayed truer to myself. I have given myself the grace to stop when I need to and to feed my soul what it needs in order to find my inner peace. Thank you for this walk - honestly, one of the most impactful for me so far. Blessings to you.
Donny, such a powerful reminder that peace isn’t found in the absence of chaos, but in the presence of God. Life’s uncertainties can be overwhelming, but when we surrender and seek Him, He leads us to an inner peace that surpasses understanding. Psalm 46:10 is one of my favorites—"Be still, and know that I am God." We will never have it all figured out, and furthermore, I don't want to. That adds more stress to my life and wreaks havoc on my mindset. Trust the ONE who takes my hand and leads the pathway ahead no matter how chaotic and stressful life gets. I love what you said, "God's strength leads to inner peace."
Thank you for this reflection! Grateful for the reminder that we don’t have to have it all figured out—we just have to trust the One who does. 🙏
Thank you Donny for this great message. When facing many challenges in life I find myself to go outdoors in my happy place except this fast couple weeks our weather is been in -45 below. I read this praise a lot lately “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass , it’s all about learning how to dance in the rain.” Every day may not be good , but find something good in every day.
Your prayer walk struck me to the core. My life has just experienced utter chaos. My sister was fine on Monday even though she has severe health problems, able to walk, talk, and so on. I arrived Wednesday to meet with her and to arrange her move into independent living. She had had a fall that morning and I was stunned by what I saw. She was not able to get up, to eat, to dress herself and her speech was slurred and garbled. I made the decision to stay at once. I am a very pragmatic person so faced the situation head on. Sis ended up in emergency that afternoon as she agreed to this even while not wanting to go to hospital. The nurse had taken over and as she had consented there was nothing I could do. They had told her she would just be checked and then sent home. She slipped into a comatose state within hours and died Friday morning. In my state of grief I turned to my writing and wrote Requiem to My Sister. My heart is broken.
So, so sorry, Marion. That is so traumatic for you to experience. I'm so glad you were scheduled already to meet with your sister so that you could see to her getting medical help. I hope it's some comfort to you that you and the medical team did everything you all could to save her. My prayers go out to you!
Thank you Donny for another wonderful episode .
When life gets chaotic, I find solace in a few simple yet powerful practices. One of my favorite ways to regain my sense of calm is to go for a walk by the ocean, especially during sunset. The rhythmic sound of the waves and the stunning colors of the sky create a serene atmosphere that helps me clear my mind and find perspective.
Additionally, painting serves as another therapeutic outlet for me. It allows me to express my emotions creatively and immerse myself in the process, providing a much-needed escape from the chaos. Both of these activities remind me to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Fruitful prayer for me with the passage you quoted "Be still and know that I am God" is to repeat it, dropping one word each time.
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I AM
Be still and know
Be still
Be ...
And one of my favorite hymns as an antidotes to chaos...
Only in God is my soul at rest (psalm 62)
https://youtu.be/Tx-haKg_oAk?si=_8dnwOcI6gHIH7Qr
Thank you, Donny, for another prayer walk—this time from this incredible place! (A bit noisy, though.) 🤭😂
“Finding Peace in Chaos”
This has been my challenge over the past two years. What brings me peace in the midst of chaos is always remembering that God is in control of everything!
Have a blessed Wednesday! 🙏🏻❤️
My most recent chaos has been with the medical staff dealing with my illness. People don’t understand what you’re going through. If they’re not believers they are hard to talk to. They definitely didn’t help me through it. My friends did by praying for me. My chaos was physical. These are times I appreciate the quietness of my dogs. God uses them to comfort me. My youngest one makes me smile and laugh taking my mind off the situation. He does zoomers running around with his ball. Taking my mind off my pain. What I just went through was hard but I thank God for you. I’m in recovery now and find what I need is prayer and people to understand and love me where I am. Bless you my friend.
Wow. This prayer walk really illustrated your point. As you wandered through the busy streets, I felt tense and the desire to escape. As soon as you got to the beach, the anxiety melted away. I just shared a blog post this morning about finding rest in the busyness of life. I mentioned in it that sometimes when I have that "overbusy" feeling, I recite the 23rd Psalm. It's hard to feel chaotic when you are "made to lie down in green pastures and led by still waters." It's been fun to share your Mexico experience!
For me, Donny, it depends on the chaos. I grew up in NYC and in my younger days, I just went with the flow of the busy streets, people walking and talking all around. I was like the needle resting on an LP record...settling into my personal groove and making my own "music."
Now, I yearn for quiet and peace. I want to feel life pour into my body and hear the sounds of nature and God.
Yes, I love to be around beautiful people, have fun, travel, see it all! But then I return to me. Where peace lies in my soul.❤️🙏
cool description
Love the gospel song "He Whispers Sweet Peace to Me". In all times and chaotic times, God is our peace.
I have to admit that I have a low tolerance for chaos and avoid it as much as possible. . As an example, my husband has been to Mexico twice, and I haven't joined him. After Chris' first visit he assured me I'd hate it. So avoidance is my main strategy as I simply don't thrive in the environment you are walking in.
Thanks for your good questions. Blessings Don 🙏🕯🙏🤗💕
Wow! What a beautiful place to walk but chaos can be so challenging. I find chaotic noises are different or unique from person to person depending on the situation, a classroom, pre-school, sporting event, business conference, parade, traffic, airport, hospital, large family event…. I love your suggestion to approach each in prayer. As always thank you for sharing. Blessings 🙏❤️
This is an amazing Prayer walk. I really enjoy these walks you do. Keep doing them.
WOW! What a walk... Like you as you were walking and I saw the water ahead of you all I could think was get there and settle into the quiet. It was very interesting how I could feel myself grow anxious the more chaotic your walk became. In fact, I almost closed out of my computer as to not have those feelings.
For most if my adult life I have spent time thriving in the chaos (or so I thought) busy as a mom with my three boys all involved in sports and music, working full-time while completing my college education, and then becoming a teacher. When my kids were grown and on their own I stayed busy coaching, tutoring afterschool and honestly whatever else I could find to stay busy. Then about three years ago - it caught me I had my first of a few major panic attacks. My body's way and I am sure God's way of saying time to stop and take notice of what is really going on inside you. Since then I have stayed truer to myself. I have given myself the grace to stop when I need to and to feed my soul what it needs in order to find my inner peace. Thank you for this walk - honestly, one of the most impactful for me so far. Blessings to you.
I'm glad you stuck through and watched the whole walk. thank you for sharing.
Donny, such a powerful reminder that peace isn’t found in the absence of chaos, but in the presence of God. Life’s uncertainties can be overwhelming, but when we surrender and seek Him, He leads us to an inner peace that surpasses understanding. Psalm 46:10 is one of my favorites—"Be still, and know that I am God." We will never have it all figured out, and furthermore, I don't want to. That adds more stress to my life and wreaks havoc on my mindset. Trust the ONE who takes my hand and leads the pathway ahead no matter how chaotic and stressful life gets. I love what you said, "God's strength leads to inner peace."
Thank you for this reflection! Grateful for the reminder that we don’t have to have it all figured out—we just have to trust the One who does. 🙏
Donnie Mac, thank you so much for sharing
I get focus and I go walking
Thank you Donny for this great message. When facing many challenges in life I find myself to go outdoors in my happy place except this fast couple weeks our weather is been in -45 below. I read this praise a lot lately “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass , it’s all about learning how to dance in the rain.” Every day may not be good , but find something good in every day.
Your prayer walk struck me to the core. My life has just experienced utter chaos. My sister was fine on Monday even though she has severe health problems, able to walk, talk, and so on. I arrived Wednesday to meet with her and to arrange her move into independent living. She had had a fall that morning and I was stunned by what I saw. She was not able to get up, to eat, to dress herself and her speech was slurred and garbled. I made the decision to stay at once. I am a very pragmatic person so faced the situation head on. Sis ended up in emergency that afternoon as she agreed to this even while not wanting to go to hospital. The nurse had taken over and as she had consented there was nothing I could do. They had told her she would just be checked and then sent home. She slipped into a comatose state within hours and died Friday morning. In my state of grief I turned to my writing and wrote Requiem to My Sister. My heart is broken.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss Marion. I am praying for you and your family.
Thank you so much.
So, so sorry, Marion. That is so traumatic for you to experience. I'm so glad you were scheduled already to meet with your sister so that you could see to her getting medical help. I hope it's some comfort to you that you and the medical team did everything you all could to save her. My prayers go out to you!