Tossed about from side to side
Listing 15 degrees
The waves of pain smash over my beaten bow
And my heart cries out for Mercy
Into the storm
Into the night
Darkness surrounds
No matter the time
Visibility is hampered by chaotic winds of change
Venture into the dark
for at the center is
The Eye
The all knowing
Eye of the Storm
If you are able to reach it
You will experience the most incredible peace
The magnified lack of turbulence
Made stronger by the destructive force that was before it
Into the Eye of the Storm
Where clarity exists
And there is safety in the passage
Where what was obscured
Is suddenly clear
And you can see right to the bottom of the earth
Blessitude
Lorrie <3
10/16/15
I stood with my feet in the Atlantic Ocean this morning, looking out to the horizon and my thoughts were with the 33 souls who were aboard the “El Faro.” She was a 790 Foot freight/cargo ship that left Jacksonville, Florida on 9/29/15 and headed to Puerto Rico.
Hurricane Joachim was a very strong category 4. The El Faro was on a heading that took her directly into the path of this violent hurricane. The huge ship lost propulsion and radio contact ceased. When the coast guard was able to start looking, it found a human soul in a survival suit, a torn and battered life boat, and other debris. The ship is thought to have sunk in over 15,000 feet of water.
I can’t stop thinking about why a ship with modern technology would make a course to head directly into a hurricane. I thought maybe they were trying to get to the eye of the storm because they would be safe there.
It made me think of the time I stayed at home on my barrier island in south Florida for Hurricane Wilma, against the advisement that I am in a “mandatory” evacuation zone. The eye of the storm passed directly over us, and it was the most incredible feeling in the world!
The fear and anger of the storm suddenly abated and it became the most beautiful summer day. It was so quiet and still. The air was clear and the brilliant blue sky had nary a cloud and never looked more blue. I felt so safe and so in tune with nature. What was raging and angry and frightening just moments before became the silent peace that we seek in our connection to the universe.
I’m not likely to ever stay home for a hurricane again. As beautiful and peaceful as the eye of the storm was, the backend of Hurricane Wilma was absolutely terrifying. I can’t imagine the horror of being on a ship without propulsion, and being tossed around by the angry sea.
Mother Nature has a power, the likes of which are hard to comprehend. And yet in the middle of that power there is the most serene peace I have ever experienced. The same power and peace exist inside each and every one of us.
I wish for you all to know there is a place inside you where, no matter how chaotic or turbulent the storm that surrounds you, you can go to and experience peace, serenity and love…The Eye of the Storm!
I send loving, healing energy to all those who are grieving for their lost ones, and a prayer of peace to the souls who were lost.
Blessitude <3
photo credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org
Lorrie, I had been thinking of you and this piece was such a gift this morning! I can feel myself breathing a bit more deeply having read your words. I resonate with what you wrote about the ship. I think of such things as well and wonder about how it all happens. Take care, Lorrie.
Hi Kim! I try not to question ‘life’ anymore and to let go…allow and accept. But some things don’t seem right. Much love to you…I hope you have a truly blessed weekend! <3
Excellent metaphor.
🙂 Thanks so much…have a blessed weekend!
Hi Lorrie, So nice to see you back. I appreciate your caring thoughts about the hurricane and people lost in the storm. I can relate all too well with the storm, still hoping for the calm and clarity to get my life on track. 🙂
hugs my friend… 🙂
Hi Brad! I’ve missed you 😉 It is good to be back…life kind of kicked into high gear and I think this is longest I have been away…I missed my friends!
I know you know the storm…and you will find the eye of the storm, Brad…you have to keep believing and allow. I wonder…do you know deep down…in the center of your soul…what your passion is? I somehow think if you can quiet your mind about the reasons you ‘can’t’ do whatever it is…and honored the truth…the real truth…the thing that makes you happy…that you could find a way to do it!! I believe in you Brad…and so want you to find the peace and serenity…and happiness!! <3 <3
Thanks Lorrie. I feel and appreciate your support. And will do my best to allow the truth, calm and peace… 🙂
Lovely to see you this morning Lorrie — and your beautiful, healing, calming words.
Wow — you stayed in the hurricane. Amazing. glad you made it through — and so sad about those who didn’t. Hugs.
Hi dear Louise!! So funny…I have your latest post up on my screen…and then I got distracted and you show up here!! Thank you my friend. Yes…the hurricane I stayed home for was in 2005…terrifying experience. But my heart goes out to all on this ship that was lost this month. Seems hard to believe that a giant ship should sink…but it did. I send you much love and blessings <3
“Mother Nature has a power, the likes of which are hard to comprehend. And yet in the middle of that power there is the most serene peace I have ever experienced. The same power and peace exist inside each and every one of us.
I wish for you all to know there is a place inside you where, no matter how chaotic or turbulent the storm that surrounds you, you can go to and experience peace, serenity and love…The Eye of the Storm!”
Great lines in a great post written by a great soul 🙂 Thank you for sharing such helpful and deep thoughts as always – much more by mail very soon 🙂 😉 ♥♥♥
Fre’de’ric
My beautiful soulmate!! Thank you…I’m so happy these words resonate with you today. And I have a feeling there is good news on the horizon 🙂 and it has given me a smile from ear to ear!!
Oh, Fre’de’ric of the blackhearts…may your soul be moved by the love of eternity!! And I LOVED your post “Shining Sun!” Superb!!!
Much love my friend <3 <3 <3
What a beautiful poem! And reflection on those who lost their lives recently on the ocean. I have been thinking of them and their families too. I’ve never experienced the eye, and although I believe it’s an incredible experience, hope I will not need to. Have a blessed weekend, Lorrie <3
I pray that for you too, Tiny! I only wish you the ’emotional’ eye…to experience that beautiful peace! As a fellow Floridian I know you understand hurricane season! Not too much longer 😉
Much love, friend!
Oh wow, it just goes to show you how out of contact I am with the world at the moment. I didn’t even know about this hurricane. I’m sorry to hear about the loss of others, but am so thankful that you are safe and well. What a great story of triumph, having experienced the eye of the storm.
Your poem reminded me of how the storms of life bring us to a place where we are able to see clearer and grow. I believe that suffering causes perseverance, and in turn hope. The eye of the storm makes me think of the point in the middle of the storm where all of a sudden one is able to see that glimmer of hope, and that hope helps to carry on.
Wonderful Lorrie.
May you have a beautiful weekend, my friend.
Hugs and love.
🙂 <3
Hi beautiful friend!! Sometimes it is nice to not listen to the news, Staci, as there are so many negative and disturbing events to find there! Hurricane Joachim was a massive hurricane that caused many deaths and destruction, especially in the Bahamas. It did not come to the coast of the USA…for that we are thankful. The storm that I did experience first hand was in 2005…wow…10 years ago…yet I can recall it like it was yesterday!!
You are so correct…that place where there is suddenly understanding…is very much like the eye of the storm…funny…it’s even called ‘ the eye!’
Much love to you ♡♡♡
Hi Lorrie, yes I think that listening to the news too much causes fear in people. Also, many times the media blows things out of proportion. Like sensationalism. They’ve gotta sell, right. An Afghan friend I met in Afghanistan had difficulty with the media. He would share his dislike for how the media would blow happenings in his country way out of proportion. My mother-in-law is addicted to the news. She is constantly worried about things. Here in Brazil, we hear very little about international news. Only big events. The hurricane was probably shared, but quickly and no big deal. Anyhow, hahaha.
I don’t think I would ever like to experience a natural disaster. Eek.
Have a wonderful week, my friend and much love to you.
🙂 <3
Back to you dear Staci 😉 Have a wonder…blessed week ♡
<3
Nice post, Lorrie. The eye of the storm dwells in all of us but we have listen to the still quiet voice within to find the way to that place. 🙂 <3
What a perfect analogy dear Lorrie, and I am amazed to hear of your incredible experience, which is almost certainly impossible to describe adequately in words. That said, your verse is wonderfully expressive, and the closing line seems to touch on the feeling I imagine you experienced. Thank you for such an exhilarating, poignantly reflective and yet profound post dear friend.
H <3
Thank you so much, Hariod. I just saw on the news this morning that they will start searching for the El Faro with the same technology they used to search for the missing Malaysian Airliner.That was another thing that bothered me. There didn’t seem to be a search mission. It was like, okay, an almost 800 foot ship just disappeared with 33 souls aboard, and oh well!
After doing a little research I was amazed to find how many ships sink in a given year. I suppose I should not be surprised, as the world’s seas are vast and powerful.
I hope that you are well and send you lovely thoughts for a ‘super’ Sunday!! ♡♡
Lorrie, I am always inspired by your writing – and motivated. I love the connection I feel with your words. In particular, I admire your courage. It takes incredible bravery to stare the centre of a storm eye to eye. Peace and love, Harlon
Ah!! My dear friend Harlon 🙂 It seems to me you understand this bravery because you come from a place where you have also experienced it!!
The truth that exists, the truth that I try to allow (even while grasping for it) is that there is nothing in life to fear…not when viewed from the eyes of love!!!
Miss you my friend…and I send you all good loving energy ♡♡♡
The great and majestic paradox in life …you bring such wonder of it through your poetic writing dear friend …” the all knowing eye ” , it’s peace , and then the terrifying storm …thankyou for your beauty Lorrie , and your truth that has such deep yet simple meaning …love and hugs , megxxx
Hi Meg! How are you my friend? Thank you so much. I love your comments which are like little pieces of poetry themselves!! Your support means so very much to me. I wish you much live and many blessings! ♡
My sweet friend …. I’ve missed being attentive to my friends these last few weeks … I love visiting you and experiencing your heart and mind , you so often bring joy to mine …( I’m deeply awe struck by ” A Course in Miracles ” that you and Michael introduced me too ) …thankyou does not seem enough dear Lorrie ….hugs , and always love , megxxx
I’m so happy for you 🙂 ACIM was one of those teachings that I ABSOLUTELY KNEW IN MY SOUL that I must read!! I talked with a friend who was more evolved than I and she didn’t give it much of an endorsement…but I still knew that I had to get “Big Blue!” I just love when Spirit directs us to what we NEED!! It is so nice to talk with you…I have not been able to be here as much as I would like…but soon. I keep you in my heart!!,♡♡
Hi Lorrie,
I loved the metaphor of this piece also– the juxtaposition of the furious and the utter calm. Life can be such an encounter with both of these sometimes it seems… It seems sometimes the more the world rages around us, the calmer we become in the middle. I feel that sometimes. Regarding this ship, I don’t know the whole story, but know some students who attend the same university as a few of those who were lost at sea when the ship went down. They were doing an internship of sorts on the ship I believe. It is astounding to think how unexpectedly we can be placed into the path of such moments. We truly never know what the next day will bring. It is humbling…
Peace
Michael
Ah! Michael…yes indeed, it can be very humbling!! I was not aware there were students interning on this ship…it hurts my soul. If I try to imagine what they went through it is almost my worst nightmare…my biggest fear!
I can think over the years of many times that I was able to go to that place inside…that place that is calm and nothing but pure love…when all else was storming and raging around me. I am so grateful for this…and I understand this place so much better now than I had the capacity to understand then.
Much love to you Michale…I hope all is well ♡
Welcome back, Lorrie! <3 I've used this eye of the storm imagery in guided meditations.Sometimes I've even remembered to use it when surrounded by the chaos of an argument or unnecessary drama by strengthening the boundaries of my safe zone, imagining a protective shield of love surrounding me. The grounding all the way to the earth and seeing the blue sky above is something I had not thought of – very powerful! Hopefully your post will help me to remember more often. Thank you for honoring those who were lost at sea. As someone who's been through a few hurricanes with minimal damage, I too am humbled.
😉 Thank you JoAnna! I have missed being here…another couple weeks and I expect to be able to be here more! Many blessings to you friend ♡
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your idea of using it as a meditation 😉 I wish I could remember all the great ideas exactly when I need them…it seems so hard sometimes! And yes…if you experienced a hurricane then I know you too, can imagine what those poor people experienced. It’s funny but the local news started covering Hurricane Wilma again right after I wrote my post…hard to believe it was 10 years ago…seems like yesterday. Thanks again, JoAnna! ♡
Such a wonderful poem dear Lorrie, you understand so well that Nature is bound in such a fine line of beauty and peace against the stark turbulence of strife and survival.. And your poem describes how within each of us if we find our centre, we too can learn to quiet any storm that rages around us.
I had not heard of this tragedy of the “El Faro.” and my thoughts are added to all of those who grieve.. What a traumatic time that must have been for you also to experience the storm of Hurricane Wilma,… But what an experience to sit within its eye, and experience the tranquil peace and calm as it passed overhead.
Sending Lots of love and Peace your way my dear Friend Lorrie.. I hope all the storms have now passed you by, for I wish only Peace into your world..
Love and Healing thoughts in all you do xxx Love Sue xxx <3
My dear beautiful friend, Sue! Your words wash over me like cleansing water…gently caressing my soul! You understand completely where my soul lives and I sense that you “feel” it too! I thank you for your compassion and empathy. I am learning to find the ‘eye’ amidst any storm, Sue…and it feels so very good to be in a place of awareness of my place in the larger whole. Much love to you ♡♡
You know Lorrie, I think we all at times throughout our lives have been on those edges of storms, tossed around and twirled upside down.. Knowing that there is an eye within each of us, if we but settle in our own centre, helps us breatheeeee our way through all the rain/tears that shower us.. And if we are patient.. we finally see the suns rays peek over the horizon, and if we keep our heads high and look for rainbows, they finally shine all their colours into our lives..
Sending you nothing but Rainbows dear Lorrie.. Today the colour I choose for you, is a delicate violet .. shimmering into pink.. surrounding you with Love, Peace, and deep Healing within your tranquil moments. as you gaze overseas… You are always Part of the Whole my friend xx <3
This is an incredibly beautiful response that I will cherish my dear friend, Sue! I see the beautiful delicate violet color…shimmering into pink…ah! And I am in need of a little healing energy at the moment my friend…very intuitive! Much love for a fantastic weekend Sue!! ♡♡ Blessitude
Hello Lorrie, I’m here from Kirt’s recommendation.
How horrible for those passengers.
I’m from Fl, so I have experienced the eye of the storm as well.
What are those symbols after people’s names, and the word reply? Are you writing in a different language than English?
Melinda
Hi Melinda! Welcome 🙂 I love Kirt and I am grateful that he is a part of my life. I don’t know what you mean about symbols.. ? I only write in English…as that is all I know 😉 Hope you have a blessed weekend. And thanks for stopping by!
At the end of the row, by the words “Reply” is a symbol. When I turned my head sideways, its a PTF. Just never saw anything like it before on any other English blog. So, that’s why I asked. I only know English too! My weekend was wonderful. I hope you had a great one as well.
Blessitude??? My new favorite word! Mega hugs!
Yayy!! Mega hugs back!! I wish you BLESSITUDE in all that you do…in all that you are!! ♡
beautiful and inspiring 🙂
Thank you dear Neha! I am sending you beautiful energy…I have a feeling that you could use some extra peace. I am so sorry I have not written back about your blogger question post that you tagged me in…I am in the weeds in life at the moment…treading water to keep my head above. Nothing terrible…just many things have come together at once. I have been thinking of you…as I read your latest posts…and I just want to say you are loved!!! ♡
No worries my friend take your time and wishing you love and strength as you go through this time <3 <3 thank you so much for your kind wishes
How incredibly poignant, Lorrie!! Great analogy and I always wondered what it would be like to go through the eye of a hurricane, and now I know someone who has…..how terrifying on either side of the eye….best to you!! P.S. In reference to Melinda of purpleslobrecovery….she gave me a three day “quote challenge”, which I graciously accepted and I did three days of “Inspirational Quotes”….you are suppose to pass it on to 3 more bloggers each of the three days…instead I listed three bloggers each day that have Inspired me! That’s how she found you….I listed your blog one of the days!! Love your insight!! Have a great weekend!!
Oh…Kirt…Thank you my friend! It warms my heart to included in that list for you 🙂 I did not see those posts so I need to find out why…I usually get an email when you post. I have been a bit frazzled with time of late so possibly I missed them (although I hope not considering there were 3!!!) 😉
Yes…this weekend is the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Wilma…although nd it is all over the news down here because Hurricane Patricia, which just hit Mexico, just took the same path! Wilma was truly frightening, and yet the eye was one of the most peaceful, beautifully clear feelings I have ever felt!
Thanks again, Kirt. I will be over to read your wonderful quotes…and hope you have an awesome weekend! ♡
Thank you very much Lorrie!! Have a great weekend!