Amid Disaster, One Woman Shows Us That Mindset Matters

The way we approach a situation can mean the difference between an opportunity for growth and a source of suffering.

Hua Chen Photo courtesy of Hua Chen

Hua Chen and her husband remained in their home in Sarasota as Hurricane Milton made landfall, raging outside their boarded-up windows. It was dark, and the wind was fierce. Despite the fury outside, Chen remained calm and wasn’t worried about the outcome—saying she knew she would be fine.

As millions are left picking up the pieces after Hurricane Milton’s devastation, Chen proves that mindset can be invaluable, especially in turbulent times.

Chen is a practitioner of Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong)—a spiritual practice rooted in Buddhist tradition. It consists of several components, which include self-improvement through study, gentle exercises, and meditation.

“I have my spiritual belief, and then I know that everything happens for a reason,” she told The Epoch Times.

Her beliefs gave her a deep inner peace, keeping her from feeling afraid.

She adds that her state of mind affects others, comforting them in stressful times.

“I can easily communicate this type of mindset, even with my family members, and they stay calm because I’m so calm and rational,” she said.

She noticed signs that her neighbors were also drawing on their faith to support them during this difficult time.

“I saw signs of prayers at neighbors’ garages. I also saw posts praising God on social media,” she said.

The Power of Belief

Disasters can strike unexpectedly, and having food, water, and essential supplies is crucial for survival. Yet, we often underestimate the power of our attitudes and beliefs, which can provide a solid foundation to guide us through the most challenging situations—no matter the external circumstances.

Damage sustained from hurricane Milton where Hua Chen lives in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo courtesy of Hua Chen)

Why Mindset Matters

Our mindset affects how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. It also helps us interpret and respond to challenges.

Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck popularized the concept of the growth mindset—the belief that our intelligence and abilities can be increased and developed over time. By contrast, a fixed mindset is the belief that our talents and intelligence are static and don’t change.

Research has shown that a growth mindset can make us happier and better manage stress.

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that university students with a growth mindset were less likely to have mental health issues and dealt better with stress from life events. Other research has found that fostering a growth mindset could help counteract the effects of adversity experienced in childhood, particularly on mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Those with a growth mindset also view challenges as learning opportunities, which helps build resilience. Resilience is our ability to adapt to life’s challenges. It is vital for dealing with adversity—an inevitable part of life.

One study of older adults found that a positive attitude increased resilience and improved their quality of life. Another study found that resilient people used positive emotions to recover from negative experiences.

Our mindset matters when it comes to how we perceive the world and how well we handle hardships, traumas, and tragedies, and it can help us adapt and come out stronger on the other side.

A fallen tree in the street where Hua Chen lives in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo courtesy of Hua Chen)

The Calm in the Storm

Hurricane Milton was the second hurricane to hit Florida in 13 days. Estimates said that 3 million people were without without power for some time, and the death toll rose to more than 15 as of Oct. 12.

Despite the devastation in the surrounding community, Hua Chen and her husband were fine, and their house sustained no damage.

Although she did have emergency supplies on hand, Chen found the most crucial factor in getting through the uncertainty of a hurricane was her mindset, which kept her serene amid the external chaos.

Chen said she had never experienced a big hurricane before but that the storm gave her the opportunity to reflect and cultivate self-awareness, which will have a ripple effect, impacting others in her life. Despite the danger the storm presented, Chen says she is grateful for the experience.

“I found my own spiritual belief, which gives me a very good state of mind to help me go through any type of adversity—including this natural disaster,” she said.