Chaos seems to be everywhere…there, I said it…we’re arrived. Once again…I seem to be having challenges finding my serenity at times these days, therefore, you all get to come along for this serenity ride as well.
There is a good possibility you may not need examples of current chaos…but here you go anyway: Putin’s war in Ukraine, Hamas’ brutal attack of Gaza, with hundreds of innocent civilians being captured as hostages, multiple environmental disasters such as earthquakes, floods, wannabe dictators taking for granted our freedoms and votes; no House speaker… you get the picture! However, what can be done for us to find more serenity along the way?
First of all, what does that look like… serenity in chaos? Seeking serenity is a way to both detach from turmoil and engage in positive thoughts and activities. Serenity might be defined as the simple experience of calmness, peacefulness, or tranquility. For many, it is a feeling that comes from a place deep within. Essentially, it’s the essence of holistic (mind, body and spirit) wellness Sounds like a great goal…correct?
According to Dale R. Floody, Ph.D., retired professor emeritus, University of Wisconsin: “Serenity can be thought of as a personal and unique way of living which includes behavioral and cognitive components that are associated with feeling calm, peaceful, and untroubled. . . . Somewhat surprisingly, there is very little consideration of serenity in all of psychology. Historically, psychology has focused on negative behaviors (especially aggression, psychopathology, anxiety and depression, but recently there has been an explosion of interest in a more positive approach.” (Serenity and Inner Peace, 2014.)
However, “People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar”.— Thich Nhat Hanh
Nevertheless, health is hardly only related to being in good physical shape and eating well, it’s an all-encompassing, holistic part of our day-to-day life which includes our emotional health.
Poor emotional health is going to negatively impact our mental health, which in turn affects our physical health as well…in fact, it’s all cyclical.
In a Psychology Today” article by Rita Watson, MPH, is a helpful article titled “11 Ideas for Embracing Serenity During Chaotic Times”:
- Start a gratitude journal: Gratitude is a healthy and easy way to achieve a certain peace of mind.
- Create reservoirs of calm and confidence: Make a daily list of uplifting moments and include decisions you have made and their positive outcomes.
- Spend time each day meditating: This is a discipline that is essentially listening to ourselves and our Higher Power, getting into the moment, and relaxing. It helps with focus.
- Become aware of serendipity: Serendipity is a chance occurrence that many believe is mere coincidence…it’s just that simple and can help us keep centered with more gratitude.
- Appreciate heightened intuition: When you spend time “centering” you will discover a sense of “knowing, just knowing.” Trust these intuitive leanings.
- Embrace solitude: In solitude, we come to our sacred and scary place, however, stay focused and find a word or image that brings us back to gratitude. Then enjoy the quiet moments.
- Practice creative visualization: Create scenarios that you wish to see happen. (Create a vision board with pictures of things you want to bring into your lives.)Then see ourselves in the situation smiling and thriving.
- Turn off negativity: For a good night’s sleep, turn off the news and instead read a good book or watch a pleasant movie. (Limit social media.)
- Avoid toxic personalities: Be aware that toxic personalities can rob you of peace and undermine an attitude of gratitude.
- Train our brain for gratitude: According to Dr. Loretta Graziano Bruening, we can wire our brain to see the good in the world. Oftentimes, goodness gets ignored because it has no place to flow until we build a new pathway. We can do this by focusing on the good three minutes a day or three times a day at one-minute intervals. But here’s the catch, you need to keep this up for 45 days.
- Stay Centered & Focused: As it brings us peace of mind…our goal of serenity needs focus where the inner workings of our hearts come in touch with our outer reality.
And finally, let’s conclude with that wonderful Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”.
Spiritual Meditation: “Lessons in life are like arrows in your quiver. They only work if you use them.” – Daily Medicine