Seek comfort

After Tuesday Sept. 11th's disturbing events, it's difficult to imagine returning to normal life. Most of the world is still reeling from the shock, and Americans are struggling to come to terms with the changes this nightmare has caused in their lives - lost loved ones, anxiety about the future, emotional trauma. We can talk about qualities like resilience and hope, things that will start the healing process, but there is a more immediate need to be satisfied: comfort. When disaster strikes (on a personal or large-scale level), it's important to find something - whether it's a belief, meaningful relationships, or proactive approach to the problem - to cling to. Something to soothe, at least a little, the strong emotions that hardship send boiling to the surface. It may be prayer, meditation, hope for peace, reaching out and helping others or expressing grief through art. What we find comforting differs from person to person, but everyone needs to turn to these personal comforts...even when they are angry or hurting. Taking care of ourselves, on an individual basis, is an important step towards recovery.

So what comforts you?

by T.L. Scribe