by Suzanne Zoglio, Ph.D.
First, if we believe that serenity is something to be found…only by the lucky ones, rather than the natural state that it is, available to each and every one of us, we will keep looking for it somewhere "out there." But, in fact, serenity is always "within," not something we win in some spiritual lottery, but something we experience to greater and lesser degrees depending upon the decisions we make. We can choose to live our days in ways that illuminate and nurture this blissful state or we can follow the well-worn path of turmoil, chaos, and conflict, hoping that we’ll stumble on serenity one day.
Secondly, if we believe that serenity is inextricably linked to "getting away from it all," we limit our expectations (and therefore our actions) of when and where we can experience inner peace. We relegate it to meditation sessions, Yoga classes, weekend retreats, or perhaps a week at the beach. Such a paradigm makes us victims of daily stress and encourages an ineffective wait-for-vacation method of refueling and rejuvenation.
So, what if we were to shift these two paradigms? What if we were to see serenity as a precious gem that twinkles within us…a treasure that we can unwrap whenever we want to for a quick lift or a luxurious basking in its brilliance? Now, that kind of thinking promotes thoughts and actions that give rise to living in serenity on a daily basis. Just imagine.
<more next time!>
Suzanne Zoglio, Ph.D., is a life-balance expert, author, and national lecturer. Through her writing, coaching, and seminars, she helps individuals and work teams reach their full potential. With a personal mission to nurture growth, she supports practices that lead to energy, empowerment, and the realization of meaningful goals.
Suzanne’s books include Teams At Work: 7 Keys To Success (Tower Hill Press, 1997), The Participative Leader (McGraw Hill, 1995), Create A Life That Tickles Your Soul (Tower Hill Press, 1999) available in paperback as well as hardcover, and her newest, Recharge In Minutes (Tower Hill Press, 2003). All are available online and from major retailers.
First, if we believe that serenity is something to be found…only by the lucky ones, rather than the natural state that it is, available to each and every one of us, we will keep looking for it somewhere "out there." But, in fact, serenity is always "within," not something we win in some spiritual lottery, but something we experience to greater and lesser degrees depending upon the decisions we make. We can choose to live our days in ways that illuminate and nurture this blissful state or we can follow the well-worn path of turmoil, chaos, and conflict, hoping that we’ll stumble on serenity one day.
Secondly, if we believe that serenity is inextricably linked to "getting away from it all," we limit our expectations (and therefore our actions) of when and where we can experience inner peace. We relegate it to meditation sessions, Yoga classes, weekend retreats, or perhaps a week at the beach. Such a paradigm makes us victims of daily stress and encourages an ineffective wait-for-vacation method of refueling and rejuvenation.
So, what if we were to shift these two paradigms? What if we were to see serenity as a precious gem that twinkles within us…a treasure that we can unwrap whenever we want to for a quick lift or a luxurious basking in its brilliance? Now, that kind of thinking promotes thoughts and actions that give rise to living in serenity on a daily basis. Just imagine.
<more next time!>
Suzanne Zoglio, Ph.D., is a life-balance expert, author, and national lecturer. Through her writing, coaching, and seminars, she helps individuals and work teams reach their full potential. With a personal mission to nurture growth, she supports practices that lead to energy, empowerment, and the realization of meaningful goals.
Suzanne’s books include Teams At Work: 7 Keys To Success (Tower Hill Press, 1997), The Participative Leader (McGraw Hill, 1995), Create A Life That Tickles Your Soul (Tower Hill Press, 1999) available in paperback as well as hardcover, and her newest, Recharge In Minutes (Tower Hill Press, 2003). All are available online and from major retailers.
posted by:
|
-
Re: Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis
Wed, January 26, 2005 - 11:10 AM<<serenity is something to be found …only by the lucky ones, rather than the natural state that it is, available to each and every one of us, we will keep looking for it somewhere "out there." But, in fact, serenity is always "within," not something we win in some spiritual lottery, but something we experience to greater and lesser degrees depending upon the decisions we make. We can choose to live our days in ways that illuminate and nurture this blissful state or we can follow the well-worn path of turmoil, chaos, and conflict, hoping that we ’ll stumble on serenity one day.>>
GRRREAT topic, Aurora! Our society conditions us to achieve a balance with external stimuli (what they sell=what we buy). Breaking from that vicious way of thinking is essential. I have found my own effective ways of finding serenity (and tranquility;) while being a part of society.
I believe that by looking within, we become better and more productive (for ourselves, society and Earth). What are your thoughts on this? -
-
Re: Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis
Thu, February 3, 2005 - 12:36 PMfor me it is about deciding that nothing is worth losing my inner peace. nothing. if it seems for a minute that something might be, or i forget, i try to remind myself that being peaceful in my heart and feeling good is the most important thing. without that i am useless. it is a choice. sometimes i forget that, and react to things, but i am getting better!
it just takes too long to get that stuff out of my body once i lose it, it's just not worth it. get off the roller coaster! that's what i tell myself anyways :) -
-
Re: Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis
Sun, February 6, 2005 - 2:03 PMindeed- inner dignity is of the utmost importance in these times of energetic chaos. it is easy to ride (I don't know of a way to get off, except enlightenment) the emotional "roller coaster" of your own waves instead of learning from it and finding serenity in the understanding that YOU are not the ups and downs. it's equally as easy to let outside energies shake up that serenity. you're right, it takes too long to get these energies out once there, and not worth the effort.
my theory is that everyone goes back to their instincts when challenged. so the most important thing is maintain a balance-at all times-so that peacefulness will always be at default. -
-
Re: Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis
Thu, February 10, 2005 - 1:25 PM"everyone goes back to their instincts when challenged"
that is the key, is it not? easy enough to create clear space in a vaccuum...but when the heat is on, how do you deal?
different answers every day, but mostly lately things are funny just in time to keep me from torqueing out on meself! -
-
Re: Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis
Fri, February 18, 2005 - 12:19 AM>easy enough to create clear space in a vaccuum...but when the heat is on, how do you deal?
I usually stop and feel the emotion of the moment absolutely, and make no excuse, give no reason for it. just acknowledging that it's a difficult situation releases a lot of the tensions and pressures for me to do anything about it. then, when I'm not challenged, I work on changing what my instincts are so that when the "heat" is on, I'll remember to do this.
"peace is every step"
-Thich Nhat Hahn
-
-
-
-
-
Re: Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis
Mon, February 7, 2005 - 11:35 AMthank you so much for sharing, now i want more so now i offer some thing to you if you wish
Each new hour holds new chances for new beginings,
the horizon leans forward
offering you space to place new steps of change.
~lyric to a song :)
enjoy
-
Re: Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis
Wed, February 9, 2005 - 1:17 AMThings to do today:
Inhale... Exhale... Ahhhh...
Quote from "Buddha's Little Instruction Book" -
-
Re: Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis
Wed, February 9, 2005 - 10:13 AMLove that little book, JuBaL!
Our words should
be carefully chosen
for people will hear them and
be influenced by them
for good or
for ill.
from "Heart of a Buddha"
-
-
Re: Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis
Fri, February 11, 2005 - 8:57 AMI've been learning how to respond rather than to react. With responding I stop, breath, think and then follow with action (even if that action is not to act at all) rather than explosively acting. Tough for me but like so many of you have said I cherish my serenity and find that I can stay in a place of peace when responding.
-
-
-
Re: Choosing Serenity on a Daily Basis
Thu, February 17, 2005 - 9:55 AMPeacful exsistance with serenity is an option for every one. Not all people can see it because it is so simple that it may seem at times impossible. People spend so much time trying to change their surroundings, thier jobs, close, thier bodies, the list goes on. They fail to see that the only thing that has a real effect is how they change their insides, the way they think and feel. some feel vitcimised and blame every one else for their struggles. The quality energy that you send out into the universe will be returned to you. So when you are struggling remember you feel what you give others. Smile to your-self because the key to your happiness is in your hands whether you have figured out how to use it yet or not.
