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Returning to a sense of calm

Today, a sense of calm has come over me. It’s almost strange after the worry and unrest of the past few months.  But here I am sipping a cup of chamomile tea early in the morning, looking out across the dark harbor, waiting for dawn. You could almost say I was tranquil.

Our days have been anxious, strained and incredibly stressful. We have been isolated, restless and bored.  We have no idea when this will end, or who we should believe. Some of us have lost faith in the credibility of people who profess to know.

But still, we wake each morning, and look for ways to make the best of the hours in front of us. And most days, we succeed. For the most part, we are optimistic. We don’t really believe that things will return to exactly the way they were. But we have faith that at least we will be able to recognize the future.

And it’s not because we’ve put our heads in the sand and denied what is happening around us. Well, some of us have, its true. But many of us are aware. We can’t help but notice that the world is shifting around us. We can’t help but notice the acrimony and hate reflected in the media, the emphasis on negativity, the fear that seeds our minds on practically every topical subject.  Sure, we could turn it all off, but we don’t because we think we may miss a critical piece of information we might need. And admittedly, many of us are mesmerized.

Outside of our immediate world, we sense that something is changing. In America, there are thousands of military guards gathering around government buildings, there have been ten days of non-stop repetitive reporting on the riot in Washington. In Europe, there are abrupt and unexplained changes in government, in many parts of the world, there have been mysterious explosions. What is happening? When we hear only one side, with no discussion or reasoned analysis, we become alarmed.

We know we need to find guidance, encouragement and a sense of calm. It may be the last thing on our minds, but it should really be the first.  Attending to our peace of mind is paramount.

I have no panacea. I try a variety of things, sometimes taking a long walk by the sea, sometimes meditating, sometimes, like today, just sipping a cup of chamomile tea and staring into space. Eventually my western culture training kicks in and I stir myself to do some chores, accomplish something, anything, so the day will not have ‘gone to waste’.

But then, I come to my senses and remember that attending to my peace of mind is exactly what I promised myself I would do.

There are wise souls, who are calm and spiritual, who have accomplished the power of patience, and who know their hearts so well that they can quickly change course and choose another emotion when they are faced with a frustrating situation.  They have learned that impatience is the enemy of a peaceful mind, and that quieting our thoughts is the path to tranquility and calm.

I sometimes feel that it is our life’s work to learn the art of calming the mind. For me, words help, and here are some I’ll share with you:

A poem:

Tranquility in the Best Form

I listen to my breathing

not consciously but in a soft way

not expecting it to do anything different

disturbing it in no way

It slows a bit

making me feel more calm

This is what I have needed

From Pink Faerie5

The Bible:

Romans 12:12

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Romans 8:25

“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

19 Ephesians 4:2

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Some very wise quotes:

“Realize the situation isn’t over yet and develop more patience. ” Stephen Hall

 “Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off. ” Author Unknown

“Sometimes the best choice is to wait.” K. Weikel

“The vessel of faith journeys on soft waters. Belief rides on the wings of waiting.” Max Lucado

“We must let go of the life we had planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Joseph Campbell.

 

32 thoughts on “Returning to a sense of calm”

  1. I love this post, Diane. “I sometimes feel that it is our life’s work to learn the art of calming the mind.”

    Yes. Yes. Yes. I call this achieving “grace”–a state I imagined in my 30s that I would reach by the “ancient” age of, say, 50. Well, LOL, 50 is in the rearview mirror and I’m still struggling, still making incremental advances, but this past year has definitely been the acid test, Enjoy another cup of tea, and please, pour one for me. I’ll be right over.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      alhenry, you are most welcome to come, but I’m afraid we are in a version of ‘lockdown’, so that won’t be possible! And isn’t it amazing how far away the magic age of 50 is now! Do whatever you can to enjoy this day!

  2. Thanks Diane. I read your post and went a made me a cup of coffee, got my journal and recorded a couple of your quotes, and I have returned to a sense of calm! Always a pleasure.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      I love coffee as well, and it’s good for me as long as I limit myself to one cup! Thank you for continuing with TimeGoesBy. I read Ronnie’s blog for years! Great memories.

          1. Still the Lucky Few

            I’m sorry you haven’t had a reply. Perhaps you should try to contact through the information she provides in her profile…click on her picture…that may help.

          2. I haven’t known what to say. I was a reader of the blog. I don’t know why it links to that blog and don’t know what to do about that.

            1. Still the Lucky Few

              Hi Linda. Wish I could help, but this is above my pay grade! Maybe someone else (another reader) will be able to help.

    2. Thank you! This was exactly the post I needed to read this morning. I always appreciate your thoughts. Mine today will include Calm because of you.

    3. Thank you, Diane. That chaos has gotten overwhelming at times, and I always seem to have stress-related physical symptoms to some degree. Recently, I quit Facebook, which has helped tremendously. I have stopped reading news (if I hear something and really want to check on it, I stick to Reuters). One of my friends said that if the riot comes down our street, we will get involved. Otherwise, there is nothing we can do, so we might as well not obsess over it.

      1. Still the Lucky Few

        A good strategy, Bethany! We all have to figure out how to manage life around this life-changing event, and your method sounds very effective. Good on you! I’m still on Facebook, but only to post my blog—I don’t check much else out.

    4. Diane! ” I sometimes feel that it is our life’s work to learn the art of calming the mind. ”
      I agree whole heartedly.
      I’m late getting here (as usual!) but I’ve read all comments and everyone seems okay.
      this is my year for not “borrowing trouble” as my New England grandmother used to call it. LOL.
      your post and quotes have a lovely calming vibe and I appreciate it! now am getting ready to watch
      All Creatures Great and Small! just love it. the book… the old series… and this new one!
      have a wonderful week dear lady. xo

      1. Still the Lucky Few

        I remember ‘All Creatures Great and Small’, and how charming it was. Glad you are well, and coping in your usual style!

      1. Still the Lucky Few

        You are right, we do have many things to entertain us. What I miss most, however, is seeing and holding those I love. I know many share my sadness over that!

    5. I can relate. I went out on my own after nine months yesterday about which I have written a blog post. It was an exhilarating experience. I intend going out more from now on and perhaps revert to my pre lockdown lifestyle soon.

      1. Still the Lucky Few

        I can appreciate that it was exhilarating—humans are social, and that is the cruelty of this situation. As long as you are following protocols, you should be safe.

    6. Thank you for this lovely post. I am cultivating an “attitude of gratitude” and finding that it works quite well during these trying times.

      1. Still the Lucky Few

        I actually do a bit of chanting, listing all of the things I am grateful about. Doing that diverts my energy from frustration to blessedness. Thanks, DJan.

      1. Still the Lucky Few

        Maintaining calm while being aware is the trickiest thing, it’s being awake while you are putting negative thoughts to sleep!

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