Inner Peace: Generating Inner Peace To Assist Others In Need
As Published at: Ashland Daily Tidings
Not too far in the distance, I see a car flipping over in the air, crashing down on its roof. It is shocking to see, let alone to realize that an ambulance will not be there when I arrive. I pull over and park in a ditch. Three cars ahead of me had done the same. People from those cars approach the overturned car from a distance, keeping at least 10 yards away while they contact 911.
Bolting around the corner of the back of the crashed car, I see why onlookers are hesitant, standing so far away. A woman is trapped inside the upside-down car. Shattered glass surrounds her and some debris is on her head and face. She is awake. Blood runs down her forehead and into her eyes.
Immediately, I switch from a busy internal gear to one of complete calm and inner peace. Brushing aside large shards of broken glass, I knell down on the ground in my dress as close to the car and unidentified woman as I can get. She is glazed, traumatized and in shock. There is no consideration on my part to getting dirty or even slightly cut. In my calm state, I just want to help this poor woman.
From somewhere inside me, I know what to do. Nevermind that I’d never been trained to address a situation like this.
I call out to the onlookers, “Get me a cloth or towel. Need water. Tissues.”
Response is immediate. They were in shock, too, and had not known what to do or how to switch their internal gears to a place of grounded, calming energy. Fear permeates the grounds. But my directions are swiftly followed. People who are tense, in fear and not feeling grounded or a sense of inner peace have difficulty making decisions and thinking clearly for themselves. They need guidance.
Waiting for requested supplies, I ask the trapped woman if she knew her name. Something in her eyes appears to awaken. She mutters, “Donna.”
I respond, “Good, Donna, I am glad to know your name. My name is Janai. An ambulance will be here shortly. I am going to talk to you to make sure you stay awake until they come.” She can’t nod and it’s not easy for her to talk, but she whispers, “OK.”
I guide her to slow her breathing, because a state of fearful anxiety shortens the breath. I am grateful to know how to guide her. She follows instructions. My voice carries soothing, peaceful calm tones to aid her in her crisis.
Once I have the supplies, I ask permission to gently wipe her bloody eyes and face. She responds with a shaky voice, “Yes, please get the blood away.” Her lips tried to smile. She thanks me as I clear her eyes so she can see. I keep talking to her and asking questions to keep her alert and in the present moment as the onlookers remain a fair distance away from the overturned car and me.
When the ambulance finally arrives, I say “goodbye” to Donna. Her eyes say it all. She mutters a sweet “thank you” as tears stream down her face. I give her one last, loving, compassionate glance and move aside for the professionals who are there to care for her.
Donna remained in my thoughts for a long time. I believe there is a reason for everything, even if I don’t understand what that reason is. My conclusion about this significant incident is clear: I was so fortunate and felt extremely grateful that I had skills to create inner peace for myself in a crisis situation when someone else needed to feel the impact of my calm state. It is a situation that is unforgettable and reminds me to value inner peace as a priority and invaluable natural resource I can tap anytime, anywhere.
