FEELING CALM and at peace these days seems elusive. Stress, worry and anxiety layer into my thoughts as I consider all that’s happening in this country. Each day brings a new concern. And if you don’t feel unsettled, then good for you. But in my circle of friends, many are feeling hopeless, helpless and beyond worried.
So how do we overcome negative thinking? Perhaps that’s the wrong question to ask. Rather, I should ask, “How do we manage the angst we’re feeling in these days of unprecedented uncertainty and upheaval?”
It’s a difficult question to answer. What works for one person may not work for another. For example, if you suggest I stop listening to and reading media reports, I won’t. With a journalism background, I need to, want to, be informed. I do, though, limit my information sources to what I consider trusted and reliable media outlets. I’d rather hear/read the news, whether good or bad, than be uninformed.
IN & OUT OF THE SAND
Sticking our heads in the sand does no one any good. We need to care enough to be aware and informed.
But sticking your toes in the sand, if you can afford that option, is certainly one way to deal with the stressors of life today. So, yeah, fly away from it all to a warm location, although I might avoid the riviera.
ESCAPE
I find peace simply in being outdoors, even in the cold and grey of a Minnesota winter. Last Sunday Randy and I walked the trails at River Bend Nature Center, where we watched a bald eagle soar high above the Straight River. We watched two guys and a young girl maneuver remote control vehicles over limestone steps. I noticed the sun spotlighting through the bare woods. All distracted me from the realities of life for a bit.
Reading helps, too, whether a devotional, a book or an email from Edina-based Vote Common Good with its encouraging messages of faith, hope and love.
CONNECTING WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY
Connecting with friends to vent and then uplift one another helps me manage my stress, too. We remind each other to stay strong. It’s not unlike a support group I’ve attended. We share a commonality of concern and talking about that with people who “get it” proves therapeutic.
Perhaps the best therapy is family. While my core loved ones are scattered from Minnesota to Wisconsin to the East Coast, we are only a text or a phone call away. There’s nothing like a call from my son, a photo of my 3-week-old grandson or a funny story about my other grandchildren to shift my focus to happiness. I wish I could gather my family in, bring them physically close to me, all of us under one roof for the next 1,443 days.
In the meantime, I forge onward, trying to remain hopeful even when hope seems particularly elusive.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
thank you for this, Audrey, and thank you for remaining hopeful. I think it is a way that helps the get through it, hope means there is a tomorrow. tha mandala that your son made is stunning, he is an excellent craftsman and what a beautiful piece to get lost in, away from the daily worries we are experiencing. I remain hopeful as well, and like you, also want to stay informed, joining like-minded people who want to peacefully be active in trying to push back and talk about things that are inhumane and wrong. other times, I retreat to my quiet or share my space with people I care about and love.
This was on my heart to write. Thank you for sharing the ways you are coping, which sound like my methods. Onward with hope and strength.
❤
It may be a difficult time for many but hang onto hope. God is still God . That is what I keep reminding myself. He is my strength when I don’t understand what is going on and what I cling to. ❤️
There’s definitely a lot I don’t understand. Why is all of this happening? It’s difficult to see how people are being impacted in such negative ways, not only here in the US but around the world. Jesus showed compassion and care. God calls upon us to act, to use our voices, I believe. Yes, I continue to hold hope and rely on my faith.
Totally relatable post today my friend. I tend to find the humor. I am all for a good 2 to 5 minute verbal vomit to release too. I believe in connecting and communicating vs. holding it in and letting it build up. I believe in supporting and building each other up vs. breaking them down. I love getting outdoors, especially when I desk jockey five days a week. My mister knows I cannot sit and meditate so he got me a bird bath. Love watching the birds come in for a drink or bath. We have Jays, Cardinals, Chickadees, Wax Wings, et. al. I really try to find the positive and remember to smile (even if just smiling at the sun or watching the song bird sing their morning song). ((((((loveandhugs))))) I encourage everyone to reach out to that someone when they are feeling the feels too. More than likely going through a similar feeling of the feels too. Take Care
You got me laughing with your word choices of “verbal vomit.” Everything you include in this comment is helpful. Thank you, as always, for the positive vibe you bring to the comments section. I appreciate you and your insights.
Thank you for this Audrey.
You’re welcome. I refuse to remain silent.
Good points Audrey, I think we find calm when we seek calm such as is found in nature or when we are in a calm environment – Library, at sea, on a lake, a walk through the forest. A birdbath? Yup, before my wife passed I set up a bird bath, Bird and Humming Bird feeders,. Squirrels also found it too! While I fretted about how fast these critters went through bird seed and nectar. I did enjoy my wife and her friend watch these critters attack these feeding devices with vigor and a whole lot of silly antics. Some music will also trigger calming vibes. I found one song that I dreaded listening to as it was sung by a guy which used his money for voice lessons on other things at a very pivotal point in my life. I found the song on You Tube. I found that the rather than bring me to the brink of tears, I found the song to be very calming.
Gunny, cravesadventure wrote a comment similar to yours in that she loves watching and listening to birds also. I’ve found that I, too, enjoy watching the antics of squirrels at my neighbor’s bird feeders. It is calming. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.
The mandala your son made is so pretty, and those grandbabies are fantastic distractions. Audrey, did you see the protest on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol? Watching it on the news last evening I noticed the “Make America Kind Again” signs….
It’s strange how political parties can look at the same set of facts and come to entirely different conclusions…
Rose, I have seen news coverage of the protest and, like you, was studying the signs which expressed a wide range of concerns. I love the “Make America Kind Again” sign, which I totally missed. Thank you for sharing that and for your thoughts. As always.
Hi Audrey, I tried to post a comment on your blog, but it wouldn’t let me. My comment was in reference to a bumper sticker that I saw in our community. It said, “Be ungovernable”. I thought to myself: Who ARE these people?!! We can only take these difficult times one day at a time… Sincerely, Henrietta
Henrietta, this comment came through so I am posting it. Who knows what’s up with WordPress sometimes. They’ve been making some changes. Again. Sigh.
That’s quite the bumper sticker. And, yes, I try to take one day at a time. Stay strong. Let your voice be heard. Thank you for speaking up here.
Thank you…hugs!
You are welcome. And hugs to you also. I’ll take all the hugs given. I feel your care and love. Thank you.
“be still”
Amen to Psalm 46:10.