When external circumstances are chaotic and frightening we often lose our center. We lose our balance. Nothing seems to work right. Too many hoops to jump through and too many obstacles to overcome. Just treading water to keep our heads above water can be too much of an effort. These are very real difficulties we face. These difficulties tend to be like a black hole, turning everything inward. Nothing can escape. We become totally cut off; totally isolated; and totally alone. For a brief moment the extreme inward gravitational pull lets up. If we are mindful and seize the moment, we can escape. Concern for the welfare of others is how we get out. Others too are suffering in the same way. The more we think of others’ welfare, the less is the inward gravitational pull. We break out and become free again, finding our center. We rediscover meaning, and joy.