There will always be situations that confuse us. Why do people act the way they do or say what they say? We feel the energy of chaos and wonder what if anything can we do about it? On the surface, nothing. There is nothing you can physically do about most of it. What you can do is work on yourself and the collective energy we share.

We are all connected, from the holy man at the top of the mountain to the homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk and everyone in between. We signed up to have different experiences and lessons, and they can often be intense and stressful. As people of power, we are often of the mind that part of our job in this lifetime is to help with the suffering that we see. We can, again, by working on our own energy. That doesn’t prohibit you from getting out into your community and volunteering your time. It means that there is another avenue for you to access if you are unable to devote physical ability to that effort. People often think that they can’t help unless they are “on the front lines.” It’s not true. Do you want proof of that? Prayer. People pray for others all the time in an effort to bring good things to another person. In metaphysical terms, that is sending good energy. As long as it is sent with the desire to do good and not to manipulate, it can lend strength to improving a situation. We can help others by working on ourselves.

Every person draws on the collective energy that surrounds and nourishes us all. If you can bring stability to your energy, you can share that calm with the collective. Think of it this way, water seeks its own – meaning that if two bodies of water meet at different levels, they will find a way to equalize and level out. I’m sure you’ve noticed that when things get stressful when one person is calm, it helps to calm another person The same is true when someone is angry. It can trigger someone else to be angry too. By regulating your energy and stabilizing it, that calm can bring change not only to your immediate environment but the world.

There is a purpose to chaos, believe it or not. It breaks us out of stagnant circumstances and brings fresh energy in a rush that can wake us up and ignite the change we need. Unfortunately, it usually does so in a way that is often awkward and painful. Sometimes we need a jolt to wake us up to notice what’s going on around us.

Chaos’ other function is to highlight what’s not working. Some of us are so reluctant to change, so adamant about maintaining the status quo that we will allow situations to degrade while insisting it’s fine. We are reluctant to allow things, relationships, situations, and systems to change, even if it would be for the better. The only constant in life is change, and adaptation is necessary. Chaos comes into our lives when things have been stagnant for too long and need to change.

You could adopt the role of observer and watch things unfold. The advantage of this is keeping yourself out of the fray and being able to maintain your balance as things churn around you. The disadvantage to this is that while you are observing, others are taking control and making changes you might not like. Those changes may or may not affect you in the end. Taking a completely hands-off approach probably isn’t in your best interest.

So what is the best way to deal with chaos? Everyone has to make that choice for themselves. My tendency is to be the observer. It’s less stressful for me to get involved with things, but as I’ve already said, others will jump in to control things and don’t always make decisions for the good of the whole and more for the good of themselves. I’ve been working on a dance of sorts, stepping in when I feel it’s necessary and standing back when I can. It seems to be working. If I step back too often, that’s telling the universe that I’m willing to be pulled in whatever direction someone else wants to take me for their own benefit. That could mean at my expense. If I take too active a role, that gives me a lot of stress and doesn’t allow room for others to step into their power if that is what they need to do. Like all things, there must be balance. Periods of being active matched with time to rest.

There will always be chaos. Don’t be afraid to reach into the gap between chaos and stability to bring about the changes that are needed, as well as step back when you need to rest and regroup. Clarity can come when we are cognizant enough to know what to do and when and have the courage to do it.