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Pastoral Care Week Oct. 24 - 30 Savor moments of peace in storm's eye The following is the third in a series of five articles written by MUSC staff chaplains on this year's theme—Imagining Peace. The focus will be on imagining peace in the workplace, family, globally, and the inner-self.  by Chaplain Clegg F. Taylor MUSC Pastoral Care Services We’re all relieved that this year’s hurricane season is winding down. Floridians endured Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne raining damage upon many homes, businesses and crops. Some people even experienced the tragedy of losing a loved one in the wake of the storms. Hopefully, many are finding a sense of peace after being pounded by storm after storm. At MUSC, we sometimes feel overwhelmed by critical situations. Like hurricanes, lives wrecked by trauma or disease come our way.  Sometimes, our shifts remain calm and peaceful, but no one dares to say “quiet.” Life has taught us that things change without warning. In a short time, the emergency room can overload, filling the floors and intensive care units to capacity. At that point, we know the storm has begun. Like hurricanes, however, there can be a moment of peace when the eye passes over us. Afterwards, the chaos starts again. When days become stressful, frustrating, emotional and chaotic, maybe you can find an eye within you. When possible, find a place to be still and find peace within yourself in the midst of the storm. In the chaos, our attitudes toward patients, families and co-workers may not be our best. During these moments, we need to step back, take a few breaths, and search for peace within ourselves.  Regardless of our religious traditions, our problems and challenges are never too big to place the feet of the one whom we worship, asking for wisdom, direction and a sense of calm. While writing this article, I thought of what we can do to find peace. Some ideas include thinking of writing meaningful poems, quotes or sacred text that can place us on a path to peace. One of my favorite quotes comes from the Bible, Mark 4:39—“Jesus rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” In difficult times, I’ve contemplated this passage and found a sense of peace in my life. If we can pause in the midst of our sometimes chaotic workplace and focus on passages, meditations or images that takes us to a place of inner peace, we can better prepare to make it through the storms. Friday, Oct. 15, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.