The question is do you have enough faith to not fret the small things that challenge us throughout the day? I remember a time, when if I got off my schedule or something occurred that sent my day in a different direction than I had planned, I would go bonkers. I don’t do that anymore. I don’t sweat the small things.

Today, I got in the car with my husband to go on our daily walk/run on the Kealia Path. As Patrick turned the key in the ignition, there was a slight hesitation that occurred before it started. Actually, for the past few days, we’d noticed it and thought it might be the battery. We have been needing a new second car and we looked at each other thinking this might be the time to think about that more seriously. We said to ourselves, “we’ll just know that this car will be fine until we get a second car.” We promised to look on Saturday.

However, today, we knew we couldn’t wait. Instead of heading to the beach, we headed to our car repair shop. It wasn’t open and when we went to turn around and park and wait, we saw one of technicians getting in his truck. I jumped out of the car and and asked him if he thought he could help us without an appointment. He let us know he didn’t work at that repair shop anymore, but worked here, as he pointed to the driveway right in front of us. He led us in and without any hassle our car was fixed within an hour.

The reason I’m telling you this story is because a lot is being asked of us right now. To some of us, the world is in chaos. Just yesterday, I woke up to two close people in my life having a health challenge and facing the death of a loved one. The most important thing for us to learn, as far as I am concerned, is to go placidly amidst the noise and haste. (Desiderata) We must learn to become centered. We must trust. We must have faith. If we are to be of assistance to others during this time challenge and shift, we must stay anchored in our inner Truth.

I invite us to check in with our anxiety barometer. What sets us off? When are our buttons pressed? Do we find ourselves in anger? Are we in fear of what’s next? If our answer is yes, we might want to think again. There are answers for us, and we will find them in our spiritual practice, whatever that might be.

I heard someone in a public speech yesterday, asking us to call to Science for our answers. Science and God walk hand in hand, but what I see is many of us leaving God on the curbside, while we cling to outside forces for our answers.

I do believe that when we are centered within that the right answers show up through others, because Divine Intelligence moves through everything to the degree it is recognized. When we are constantly looking outward for our answers, we won’t know when the right answers show up for us. We will be tossed like a reed in the wind, bending here and there and wondering who’s right.

I invite us all to take whatever time is necessary, to center within and commune with our Higher Power. When we do, we will be able to go placidly amidst the noise and haste; and no matter how noisy it gets, we will remain calm and steady in the storm, whether it is our personal storm or that of our brothers and sisters. It’s all one thing and we have an inner system that is built to carry us through.

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita Andriello-Feren, Spiritual Director CSL Kaua`i, Licensed Minister and Spiritual Coach