What the Tornado Alarm Really Alerted

Tornado Alert–In Southern California? For the first time in almost two decades, we had an emergency tornado warning. Tornadoes don’t normally figure into the storm patterns for this area. the text said to take immediate shelter in the basement.

My first reaction was, “How can this be?” My next, “This is a real tornado, not a test!” Then, “What basement?”

Like most homes in Southern California, mine doesn’t have a basement. I live on the bottom-most floor of a house that thankfully has a strong foundation, partially built underground. So I jumped into a central windowless hallway.

Yet would it be enough? Who knew.

The Extreme Tornado Alert continued blaring through our homes

From my ‘shelter’ I aimed my remote and turned on the weather channel. The TV joined the phone in blaring the command to take shelter. It reported a huge waterspout off the coast a few blocks away, threatening to transform into a tornado. Other tornadoes were sited and touching down in the North County and just east of my area. This, amidst flash flood warnings already in play.

What I’d done living through the Midwestern tornado season and worse things ripping through ‘Hurricane Alley’

I prayed the rosary. I’d learned the traditional version in early childhood, and my daily practice evolved into a transpersonal, meditation ritual. Turning off the TV and keeping my cell phone open to the News, I joined my beloved teacher in her rosary of protection. The recording was stored on my phone.

Though she’d already gone to higher worlds, hearing her voice reassured me. I prayed in that little inner hallway of my house. A house that, though built against the sloping foothill behind it, was open to the normally welcome Pacific-salted breeze. That day, it stood in the face of much more. My ‘shelter’ inside was but a poor symbol of the only real shelter we can have: our heart’s sanctum.

While the Pacific winds continued spewing its earsplitting rage, I made my peace

Then I remembered: I hadn’t finished something important, related to my Purpose. I’d been honoring my purpose with my spiritual healing work for over 17 years. Ten years ago I’d believed in that part of my purpose so much that I quit all else.

HOWEVER, there WAS another piece, something I’d promised myself. I thought, what if this is it and I hadn’t yet fulfilled that promise? Fortunately I recounted all I’d already done toward that priority, and relaxed. Things were in play. The other piece of my Purpose was in good shape. When this storm was done, I could take another look at it.

That conviction showed up like a lifeline. The storm continued through the night, though the tornado warning ended. I woke up to a simultaneous flash and thunderclap – a parting gift of that storm, symbolizing the wake up I’d had the night before.

Since then, I’ve made a huge shift. My plan for this other priority had already been added to my calendar and project file. It prompted my writing in this journal about purpose and end- of-life reviews. At the time, I didn’t expect to experience that moment of wondering, huddled in that hallway, “What if this is it?” To hold space for my dual purpose, I then changed the focus of this website to more reflect my own purpose, to help you reflect on yours. I’ll make additions to journal my progress, as it evolves.

The reason I share this with you is that you, too, may have had something occur to precipitate similar thoughts. If so, please share in the comments, below. Because you never know who may need to read what you have to say.  As always, you’re welcome to contact me if I may assist you in your sacred purpose.