How to Get a Piece of Peace in Your Life

Monday, June 23, 2008

Monday Quote on Integrity

"The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls." -- Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

How to Combat Fear

1. Look your Fear in the eye and say, "You don't control me. You don't own me."

2. Tell all your friends and family about your Fear and they will simply laugh and mock Fear until it feels one inch tall. The more specific you are the more your Fear will be exposed and weakened.

3. Next, tell Fear, "Goodbye, good-for-nothing. I'm going to do all the things you've been trying to convince me not to do. I have a life to live now."

4. Live it.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Acceptance of Your Life

Many times we spend our time wishing it were a different point in time or wishing for a different state of mind or different circumstances. What if you said that you accept this moment, this life, and who you are, just as is, right at this very moment. What would that feel like? And what if you applied that to every moment of your life?

You can continue to strive for goals, or grieve for losses, and at the same time, accept what is.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

What Brings You Joy

Joy comes from deep, deep within. And it is a slightly different formula for each of us, as well. What brings you joy? Think of a list of moments or activities that bring you the most joy. How often do you feel joy? Would you like to feel it more often?

The things that bring me the most joy are: painting, hiking, meditating, singing, being with the ocean, bubble baths, and being completely surrounded by friends and family. How often do I engage in these? Certainly not as often as I'd like. Sometimes it isn't possible to create those perfect moments. Sometimes I wait until there is a big enough window of time to truly saturate myself in a perfect moment, and the waiting delays the joy. Sometimes I'm not in a mood to feel joy.

Joy can exist if we choose to have it. Perhaps we need to work a little bit at the pain or stress that is keeping us from joy. Perhaps we can have a joy-break in the midst of dealing with the serious side of life. We can even relive the memory of a truly joyful moment in our lives, and it actually changes the chemistry of the brain as we immerse ourselves in the visualization. Visualizing such moments can help us maintain certain levels of happiness that, in turn, keep us more balanced and healthy. Creating new moments also reminds of us what is best about being alive.

Be sure to schedule your joy if it isn't already happening on a semi-regular basis. It is vital to your quality existence.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Wednesday Quotes on Joy

"The great teachings unanimously emphasize that all the peace, wisdom, and joy in the universe are already within us; we don't have to gain, develop, or attain them. We're like a child standing in a beautiful park with his eyes shut tight. We don't need to imagine trees, flowers, deer, birds, and sky; we merely need to open our eyes and realize what is already here, who we really are -- as soon as we quit pretending we're small or unholy." -- Unknown

"Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy." -- Joseph Campbell

"We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." -- Helen Keller

"I do it for the joy it brings, cause I'm a joyful girl. 'Cause the world owes us nothing, we owe each other the world." -- Ani Difranco

And on that note, let me say that while I've been a little scarce on my site, and a less frequent visitor to others' sites, I am officially announcing my reason: I am three months pregnant. Please bear with me as every day offers a new change.

Friday, November 25, 2005

Purpose of Holidays

While we all know what the holidays are for, and while we also grumble about what holidays have become, I still find it interesting that we have certain days in the year dedicated to some very positive principles in life: love, caring, reverence, gratitude, family, spirituality, and centering.

What a concept--society has made it acceptable for us to take some time off work to remember what is important in life. Take some time for yourselves, your loved ones, your life.

Commercialism may put a damper on your spirits, but try not to allow that. The industry is there for those who want to buy and sell and enhance your holiday. You have the choice of creating your own atmosphere and traditions in the ways that you wish to do so.

If there are holidays you do not celebrate, you can certainly give greetings to others, and in appropriate ways, allow others to know what you do or do not celebrate. It can be an opportunity to share differing ideas.

As for me, I do enjoy these holidays where I can sit back and take in all the people in my life and all the good things I have encountered. I also take some time for reverence, contemplation, meditation, and hopes and wishes.

Whatever you do, do what feels the best for you. Adopt others' rituals or customs, create your own, or treat every day with the same amount of importance.

Monday, November 21, 2005

Monday Quotes on Gratitude

"Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life." -- Christiane Northrup

"Throughout history wise men and women have encouraged us to feel grateful for what we have. Why? Very simply because gratitude makes us feel good. When you're feeling grateful, your mind is clear, and therefore you have access to your greatest wisdom and common sense. You see the big picture." -- Richard Carlson,Ph.D.

"The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you." -- John E. Southard

"If you can't be thankful for what you receive, be thankful for what you escape." -- Unknown