How peaceful are you feeling today? If you are like most people on earth there is probably a lot on your schedule and even more on your mind.
The following peace enhancing steps are ones that I taught at a retreat a couple years ago. I think you might like them.
Focus on the Present Moment
Easier said than done. Right? You might be surprised how simple it is when you practice regularly. In moments of stress, worry, or dis-ease, try one of these easy strategies for grounding in the moment:
- Take a few deep breaths with your eyes closed, focusing on the air moving through you
- Put your hand over your heart and count each breath you take or simply listen within
- Bring mindfulness to your movements and what is around you – feel and watch every detail
- Designate something as an anchor to your peaceful present moments, like the face of your watch, veins in your wrist, or anything you can focus on quickly and easily to bring you back to a feeling of peace.
Create Daily Peace Practices
When you start and end your day with activities that calm and center you, the time in between will become peaceful as well. There are unlimited ways to do this and it is important to choose what feels right and you are willing to commit to. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Journaling
- Write daily gratitude
- Meditation
- Prayer
- Pay attention to the beauty and magic in each day
- Looking for heart shapes around you
- Walking in nature
- Reading meaningful or uplifting material
Live Simply
Inner and outer clutter are distracting and complicate our lives. On some level they keep us on edge all the time. Creating a physical environment that is peaceful and calm will nurture the same within you. Take a careful look at your space, calendar, and the people in your life. It may be time to let some things go.
When you are able to focus on what you love and what is meaningful to you, more peaceful moments will follow. This isn’t selfish. When you are in a calm and relaxed state you will be more effective in what you do and present with the ones you love.
Don’t Marinate in Your Upsets
We are all faced with events and people that disturb our peace. It’s part of living in a world of humans. When you are triggered, the feeling that comes as a response only lasts about a minute. The problem is that you keep replaying the story and triggering the feeling over and over again. The opportunity here is to learn not to keep repeating the story so that you can return to a peaceful state as soon as possible. Here are some of the strategies you might choose to work with:
- Give it a minute or two – let the feeling dissipate on its own
- Any of the tools above for returning to the present moment
- Ask yourself if being upset is serving you and if not, let it go
- Move into neutrality by observing yourself in the situation
- Imagine you are watching what is happening on a movie screen
- Bring compassion and understanding to all involved, knowing everyone is doing the best they are capable of in that moment
Cultivating inner peace is a gift to yourself and those around you. It is from this grounded space that you can evolve into your best self and create your best life. And, it feels sooo good.
Related Posts:
5 Simple Soulful Practices You Can Start Today
I have to remind myself to stop and just breathe sometimes. We live in a go go go kind of world where so much is happening all at once. When you look at it, it truly is a big chaotic mess. I’m trying to learn more to live in the present and to calm myself so that I don’t get caught up in all the craziness that goes on.
Underneath all of that busyness is your perfect life based on what you value most. The things you do are like static that gets in the way. Somehow, for me, knowing it is always there helps a lot. And, don’t forget, you don’t have to comply with the go go world. You can prioritize and make it workable for you.
wow, I so needed this yesterday! It was a rough one. I have to keep these things in mind! Sometimes when I am flustered or upset, it is so easy to take it out on others, be so negative and just want to curl up in a ball and feel sorry for yourself. I am getting better now. I used to let my emotions take over me. I chose to live a more simple life last july, it has changed my life completely around. I am so glad you brought that up. Thank you for sharing this post!
One step at a time. Your breath and the present moment are there all of the time to help anchor you in peace. Congrats on living more simply. I wish mor e people realized what a gift it is.
Hi Linda,
I smile at the “marinate” concept and focus on this line:
Bring compassion and understanding to all involved, knowing everyone is doing the best they are capable of in that moment.
Remembering that “everyone” includes us and does not mean everyone else.
Blog on!
Good points. Thanks for reading.
I try to do all of the practices yet the outside world is loud and intrusive. And I do get caught off guard and be caught up in upsets. But the operative word is practice, practice, practice. Thanks for the post. It’s a good reminder.
Lily
Yes. It’s all about practice. And, recovery time. You know you are making progress when the amount of time it takes you to recover decreases.
I’ve been working to quiet the outside noise in life. Appreciate the tips on how to do so and look forward to trying them.
Let me know how it goes.