“I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail and blown out on the trail… ‘Come in,’ she said, ‘I’ll give ya shelter from the storm.’ “ Bob Dylan
There are times when we need to be shielded from the adversities of life – most especially those devastating events over which we have no control.
Perhaps there are also times where, despite our protestations, we need to face the full blast of the “storm” – those times when we need to face the facts and reap the consequences of our actions. You see, for some of us slow learners, it may be only in this way that we are finally moved to seek help and/or make changes in our outlook and behavior.
That being said, I believe that we cannot survive the storm without some form of loving protection – a protection that comes from either deep inside of us or from some other source.
Outer Protection
“… under the shadow of thy wings shall be my refuge, until this tyranny be over-past.” Psalm 57
We could speak of outer protection in a built or physical way, for example, access to safe housing — a home, however humble, to call our own, a place that we can crawl away to rest, recoup or even hide away until the danger subsides.
It might also be a more symbolic form of protection. For example, resting in the arms of a loving family member or spending time in nature.
Some might call upon the protection of a Power Greater, possibly referred to as the Source, the Creator or God. This is done in the belief that that this power will either intervene on our behalf or supply us with the strength and courage that is necessary to weather the storm.
Mona seeks shelter in her community of care…
Mona is going through a bit of a rough patch. Well, actually, she is experiencing a lot of difficulties in her life – both work and relationships. Her saving grace is that she is part of a community that offers wisdom, strength and hope to its members. All she has to do is to pick up her phone and dial one or more members to chat, ask for advice or simply ask to be listened to. She feels safe and cared for in this special community. In fact she has never felt safer than when she is in their company.
Inner Protection
“This life will never be without storms. Stop fearing the storm. Build your inner shelter.” Yasmin Mogahed
The source or nature of an inner shelter or protection may vary from person to person. For some it may be found when we self-soothe, breathe and center ourselves in our bodies. For others it might be found through practices like meditation where we connect more effectively with our intuitive knowing or wisdom.
And, for many of us, that shelter is both inner and outer.
Eddie seeks shelter within and without…
Eddie’s journey, philosophically speaking, has been a lengthy one. He has gone from relying solely on his intellect to resolve his problems to looking for sources of help, comfort and protection beyond the capacity of his thinking brain. You see, he found that his problem-solving brain couldn’t quiet his anxieties and insecurities. So, Eddie entered into the practice of meditation where he accessed the protective space that his inner wisdom provided him. His meditative practice eventually guided him to seek refuge and comfort in that which was beyond himself — a place of shelter that he chooses to call God. For him, the inner and outer walk together hand in hand.
Not Weakness
“… all alone in a home that I can call my very own. I want to dive into the sea an ocean of pure tranquillity. A refuge for no one else but me. A place where I can be.” F. Alberts, Lyricist
Seeking shelter might be seen as a sign of weakness by some. However it could be seen as a sign of strength and even humility. After all, our own power is very limited, is it not? And, realistically, we know that it is impossible to be totally self-sufficient. We are social animals. We need others – friends, family and community — for both peace of mind and security.
We also need safe spaces, physical as well as emotional. Living unprotected long-term on the windy plains of life is not only unmanageable, it is unsafe.
We may even need to find haven in a space that is greater, deeper, wider – a haven far beyond ourselves, the material world and our own understanding.
In other words, whatever its form and however we define it, we all need shelter from the storm.
