Peace: who does not want this emotion to wash over them? But, as we all know and understand, only I can give myself peace. Many of our confreres who walk the streets in North America and Europe confounded by homelessness, drug abuse, and suicidal thoughts fail to adequately accept that the self is in control — barring mental illness. To gain this authority, however, is not an easy task. It comes with a very sobering thought; the acceptance of the humility or the incredulity that you are in total command of where you are and where you will end up — excluding the unfortunate circumstances of life.
A person must look at how their life is unfolding and its missteps, which are concomitant with an existence completely experienced. Now if one opts for a life without risk – and you have talents and gifts – you will suffer no end of self-recrimination for an unrequited life, a life unlived. It is far better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all, to paraphrase Alfred, Lord Tennyson. (1) You can never be forgiven – indeed, you will never forgive yourself – for an incomplete life. This is especially true if you possess real artistry. The self-cessation of life is not an adequate reason to justify ending it because of its problems, frustrations, and failures. These are situations that we all experience. Who has not had emotional crises only to achieve success at a later date? The secret, therefore, is to embrace each and every day as a time filled with opportunity and hopefulness; and why not? To go forth with a sense of urgency, and yet contentment should be our daily mantra.
A sense of peace begins with self-awareness. Any concept that entails self-consciousness often sounds like a lofty ideal, a pursuit of philosophers and kings. (2) This abstraction is accessible to everyone, nonetheless. That being said, it does require several criteria to open its portal. The first is the belief that it exists. We all can achieve a sense of peace in our lives. I believe that this is very much tied to a feeling of success, whatever that means to me. I must be able to plot a life path that will allow me to feel successful before I exit this earthly plateau. The second is effort. I commit to nurturing my sense of reality. To do this, I must become more observant of everything: the birds, the bees, the bugs, and the interactions of people. I should train my mind to listen to what someone is truly saying or, conversely, what is really being presented to me on social media or in the news. I can discern between the nonsense and the truth. The third is that time is actually very slow if I catch it. I can do this by documenting each and every day. Here a notebook is essential. It can be used to write something as simple as the day and the date or to document those irreplaceable thoughts — many of which are fleeting vignettes of brilliance. The template for a peaceful life is within our grasp, we must simply embark on its creation. Lao Tzu (3) leaves us with a thought: If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.
A closing thought: We have spoken on acquiring a sense of peace in our lives. Many people contend that we are naturally aggressive beings. I do not believe this to be the case. (4) We are naturally loving and caring but can be placed in situations of conflict. It is essential that each of us finds ways to maximize those moments of peacefulness and minimize the times that we feel anxious and disquieted. I like a quiet walk in nature or if in the city, a late-night stroll in a deserted park. It is there that I find my essential solitude. You can locate your own state of tranquility; you just need to keep looking.
To sum up: This week we spoke about peacefulness. It is available to everyone. But this state must be worked at in order to be successfully realized.
To be noted: From Gandhi (5) – Live as if you will die tomorrow. Learn as if you will live forever.
Just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nsn4f_kWAk&ab_channel=ForTune
For reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EdGJ_8GDmU&ab_channel=JakeZeeman
This week on your thoughtful walk, please reflect on your own state of peacefulness.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful
Quote: My daily maximum — I am in control of my life.
Footnotes:
1)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred,_Lord_Tennyson
2)https://www.britannica.com/topic/philosopher-king
3)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_Zmk6BnWZo&ab_channel=PhilosophiesforLife
4)https://leakeyfoundation.org/the-roots-of-human-aggression/