The key to finding our peace of mind is well… finding a place where we feel peaceful. The goal is to feel peaceful wherever you are but that is easier said than done. So many say that their lives are hectic and they are so busy. This is unfortunately true for so many. I was one of those people. I had a job that I felt was so important, that it took over my life. I was a naysayer to those who told me to take care of myself. When could I find time to relax when my time was in such demand? Who would do all the things that I did? I suppose I fancied myself as “too important” to the world to slow down. What would they do without me? Well, they would survive.
Luckily, the universe decided it was time for me to change course. The job went away, and poof… the stress and sense of impending deadlines went with it. Of course, I am over simplifying this. I just want to let you know, I understand where you may be right now. In this blog, I’d like to share with you what I learned and what others have taught me. None of this may be mind blowing but most of life isn’t. We have complicated it, muddled it and then be overcome by it. Life doesn’t steal our peace. We hand it over to the “complications of our mind”… I believe that was a song lyric, huh.
As a therapist I should have known where to begin with finding peace in my life but I didn’t. I mean, I knew the “words” but “Words” can be hollow until we are open to hearing them. In a particularly low point, a therapist gave me a copy of Don Miguel Ruiz’s book, “Four Agreements”: be impeccable to your word, Don’t make assumptions, don’t take things personally and always do your best. This is your first stop to learn about peace. I mean, this book was a best seller for 7 years. It must have something to offer, right? I’m sure many of you have seen excerpts from this book and I strongly urge you to read it. OR “The power of now” by Eckhart Tolle Or ”The Untethered Soul” by Alan Singer Or “Buddhism, Plan and Simple” by Steve Hagen…. It doesn’t really matter where you start, just start. It can really be that simple. Read a book. It’s private and confidential. These books are just a few and honestly, some of their concepts or ideas will challenge how you think. That’s what they are there for, to make you think. You don’t even have to agree with them, just expose yourself to these ideas. The concepts may be challenging but the beginning can be as simple as the act of picking up a book. SEGWAY alert….
One of the many community resources that I encourage people to access is the local library. Yup, libraries can be used to improve your mental health… who knew, right? You don’t need to BUY a book or an online kindle book, unless you want to. The library is free. It not only provides resources for pleasure reading but there are books and videos for: self-help, DIY, bird watching, oil painting, basket weaving…. whatever you want to know about. An added bonus is that it provides a quiet, reflective place for you to sit and breath. In a later entry we will talk about how learning new things actually creates new neural pathways in our brains but that’s not for today.
So, for today’s blog, I hope you take away a small, simple suggestion on finding peace, finding a peaceful place and the start of our exploration of community resources. It doesn’t have to be complicated or cost money. And even if these ideas challenge your concepts of the world and yourself, maybe that’s good because what most of us are doing isn’t working. There are many more options that I will share as we go along. I hope you continue to join me.