Staying Calm in the Storm

‘Karen and Jay share thoughts on how to stay calm, find peace and be effective while the winds of the storm swarms around you.’

There are times in our lives when everything seems to be out of control. Demands on our time. Events conspiring to reck havoc on our plans. Pressures on our relationships, our finances, and even our health. Often, all at the same time. It can seem so overwhelming. It’s in these moments that we need to be able to take a deep breath – and develop a sense of calm. We need to think of ourselves as being in the eye of the storm. While the winds may swirl around us, we find a calm – and center ourselves in knowing that we can handle whatever may come. Whatever the troubles, we have the strength, the courage and most of all the confidence that we will prevail – one step at a time. Take a deep breath and take that first step. There’s something powerful about finding that inner stillness while chaos rages around us. It’s not about pretending the problems don’t exist—it’s about choosing how we react to them. We all know people who seem to have that almost magical ability to stay grounded, even when life is throwing everything at them. And the truth is, that ability isn’t magic at all. It’s something all of us can practice and strengthen, little by little. Think about someone like Nelson Mandela. Here was a man who spent 27 years in prison—nearly three decades of uncertainty, isolation, and immense personal loss. Yet he somehow managed to remain centered, calm, and filled with purpose. Mandela often described focusing on small routines, quiet reflection, and a deep belief in the future. In the middle of what could have been despair, he stayed in that “eye of the hurricane,” holding onto dignity and clarity. And when he finally walked free, he carried that same calm strength into healing an entire country. Or consider Bethany Hamilton, the professional surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack at just thirteen. The event could have ended her career, her dreams, or even her sense of self. But instead, she found an inner steadiness that allowed her to get back on her board just weeks later. She didn’t deny the fear or the challenges—she simply refused to let the storm pull her under. By focusing on what she could do rather than what she had lost, she found her center again and went on to become a world-class athlete. Examples like these remind us that calmness isn’t the absence of storms—it’s the ability to meet them with a quiet, steady heart. We may not face the same dramatic circumstances, but the principle is the same whether we’re dealing with a stressful job, family pressures, or unexpected setbacks. When we choose calmness, we give ourselves the clarity to make better decisions and the strength to move forward without being swept away by fear or frustration. So, the next time life feels like it’s spinning out of control, remember that you have an “eye of the hurricane” inside you, too. Take that breath. Slow things down just enough to find your footing. Remind yourself that you’ve handled tough moments before, and you’ll handle this one as well. Step by step, moment by moment, you’ll find your way through—and maybe even discover a stronger, steadier version of yourself in the process.

This week we are delighted to highlight a truly inspirational role model – exemplifying the power of ‘staying calm in the storm- - Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger.’ There are leaders who inspire from the podium—and then there are leaders whose greatness is revealed in a single, defining moment. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is one of the latter. On January 15, 2009, when US Airways Flight 1549 struck a flock of geese and lost both engines, the situation was nothing short of catastrophic. Yet in those terrifying seconds, Sully remained steady, calm, and astonishingly clear-thinking. His leadership in the cockpit allowed him to land the disabled plane on the Hudson River, saving every one of the 155 people aboard. What’s remarkable, though, is that Sully’s calm under pressure didn’t come from luck or impulse—he spent decades preparing for difficult moments. As an Air Force fighter pilot, he studied safety, teamwork, and crisis management intensely. Throughout his career, he was known for his patient, disciplined style. Colleagues said he approached every flight with the same thoughtful presence—never rushed, never rattled. It was this lifelong habit of composure that made it possible for him to make brilliant decisions in the blink of an eye when the emergency struck. But Sully’s story didn’t end with the “Miracle on the Hudson.” In the months that followed, he faced enormous scrutiny, endless investigations, and emotional strain. Rather than crumble under the weight of it all, he handled each challenge the same way he handled the crisis itself—one issue at a time, with honesty, humility, and quiet strength. He became an advocate for aviation safety, using his experience to help improve systems and training across the industry. In his own words, “We all have our own Hudsons”—our own moments where we must summon courage and clarity. What makes Sully such a valuable example for all of us is that he demonstrates that calm leadership is both powerful and learnable. He wasn’t born with some superhuman ability—he built it through practice, preparation, and character. His story reminds us that steadiness isn’t about denying fear; it’s about not letting fear dictate your actions. When we face our own “engines-out” moments—financial struggles, family pressures, health scares, or work crises—we can follow Sully’s example: breathe, steady ourselves, assess clearly, and act. At the heart of Sully’s story is a hopeful message: you don’t have to control the storm to overcome it. You just have to control yourself. His calmness saved lives, but his attitude continues to inspire thousands more. And if he were here giving advice, he’d probably say that we’re all capable of that same quiet strength. With preparation, awareness, and a commitment to stay centered, we can meet our toughest moments with the same steady confidence—and maybe, just maybe, create our own small miracles along the way.

Quote of the Week

“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” — Marcus Aurelius, “Meditations,” Book 8

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