In the summer of 2022, near the end of the Covid pandemic, a woman received an eviction notice. She and her husband had always paid their rent on time and never broken their lease. Their landlord was selling the property. After nearly ten years, they had sixty days to pack up and move.
The news caused immediate stress. The couple had recently started new jobs after almost two years of unemployment. Rental rates in Southern California were rising quickly. They worried about their finances and how much their rent would increase.
They enjoyed living in the Los Angeles and Orange County area. They liked visiting museums, dining at restaurants, and spending time at Disneyland. During the pandemic, they walked their dog in local parks and ran along the beach. The prospect of change brought anxiety about new places to shop, new neighbors, and a new commute.
The couple soon realized they could not afford to stay in the same area. They had to downsize to a much smaller place. Even then, it meant a nearly thirty percent increase in rent. Having a sixty-five-pound German Shepherd made the search harder. Fewer places allowed large dogs, and many restricted the breed. They would not move without her.
With less than thirty days left, they had not found a new home. The constant worry left the woman feeling stressed and jittery. Tension grew between her and her husband as they cleaned closets and packed boxes. They argued about what to donate and what to pack. The disagreements led to frequent quarreling.
Searching for a way to cope, the woman tried listening to calming music, practicing meditation, and taking more walks with her dog. Nothing quieted her spiraling worries. She turned to the ancient wisdom of the elements: earth, water, fire, air, and spirit.
She first focused on earth, which reminded her of her roots. She looked for what was still stable: the support she and her husband gave each other, their routines, and the simple comfort of stepping outside. Next, she turned to water. It taught her that emotions need room to move. She shared her feelings with her husband and gave herself time to experience sadness about what they were losing.
Feeling more balanced, she looked to fire. It reminded her of the strength within her. Her energy had been drained by fear. By focusing on small actions like searching listings, making calls, and packing boxes, she found courage. Air offered space for clarity. Instead of worrying about “what ifs,” she paused, breathed, and looked at the situation with a calmer mind. Spirit gave her a sense of connection. She trusted that the change, however unwelcome, had a purpose.
The woman and her husband eventually found a new place to live. She learned that the same elements that exist in nature also exist within a person. By reconnecting with them, she rediscovered steadiness, flexibility, resilience, lucidity, and trust in her life’s path. Life will always bring moments that shake stability, she said, but responding to change is how people grow.
