Finding Peace

We live in a crazy world. First of all, there are so many things that are beyond our control from elections to earthquakes to global unrest. These daily crises around the world and in our own cities, states, and country have the power to affect us in many ways. Additionally, we are burdened by our daily lives and our personal problems. Whether it is being too busy, not having enough money to pay the bills, being overwhelmed at work, or any number of things that can plague each of us at any given time; we are all under a lot of stress on a regular basis.

It is my belief that one of the best ways to overcome this stress and the feelings of hopelessness that come with it is to take control of your own life. Make decisions to control the things that you can. Be proactive. Join a Girlfriend's Club and commit to making real life change so that you can move forward; allowing yourself to start living the life that you really want rather than the life that you feel stuck with.

While making a commitment to change is a good start, it is often not that easy. Once we make that commitment, we often still feel burdened by all of the same things that have weighed us down for years. The stress builds and it seems impossible to move forward.

This week I want to encourage you to try a simple technique to push aside the stress, allowing you to move forward once again with peace and purpose. It is called Quiet Mind. Part of the problem that we have in focusing on moving forward is that our minds are constantly racing with a million thoughts: I need to send an email at work, I need to go to the grocery store, I need to get new tires for my car, I can't believe that there was another bombing in Iraq today, etc. Our minds are constantly filled and flooded with endless thoughts and worries.

I want you to commit to 5 minutes of peace each day. Go to your car, lie down on your bed, find a quiet spot somewhere and just rest. Don't put on any music, don't bring a book, just allow yourself to be surrounded by the silence. As thoughts rush into your mind, do your best to push them away. Focus on a stream, the mountains, the trees, any image that gives you peace and helps you to feel rest. If 5 minutes seems too long, try 3 or even 1; it isn't that you get 5 minutes/day, it is just that you take time to take a break at least once a day. Just try it and see if it helps.

Next week I will expand on the idea of Quiet Mind. Go in peace and have a wonderful week.