• Finding serenity in the everyday

    Posted on April 12th, 2010 Saver Queen 4 comments

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    Last week, Gail Vaz-Oxlade wrote a blog post on serenity.  I love that Gail reflects on what’s important in life, and what brings us joy, in addition to financial matters.  I particularly valued this paragraph:

    Serenity requires that you learn to be by yourself, quiet, alone. So many people fear the loneliness they may feel that they pack every minute of every day full of action. We often teach our children to fill every minute with movement. Getting stuff done has gained prominence over Just Being. And it’s too bad because in filling up our lives we are leaving no room for serenity.

    I posted a comment, that I’ve decided to re-post here:

    I love seeking out quiet moments whenever I can, and since I now live in a quiet town and live alone, I have an abundance of solitude. Serenity is very important to me, and I get to create an environment that promotes that.

    Serenity can come in many forms, though. Usually we think we have to race through the days, weeks and months until we can finally go away on vacation, and we’ll enjoy rest and serenity then. But it doesn’t haven’t to be so.

    Sometimes I find moments of bliss just standing in an elevator. Or walking in the door to my apartment. Or in any number of mundane activities where I wake up and realize that I am Alive, and I am Free, and that those are two very good reasons to rejoice.

    Readers, have you found a way of discovering serenity, even within the context a busy life?  How do you seek it out?  Where do you find it?

    MIndfulness, Philosophy
     

    4 responses to “Finding serenity in the everyday”

    1. Karissa April 13th, 2010 at 01:53

      I use the Serenity prayer:
      God(dess), grant me the Serenity
      to accept things I cannot change
      Courage to change things I can
      and Wisdom to know the difference

      Sometimes when I feel my emotions rising up, I can just say “serenity” to myself, this invokes the prayer, and I feel better immediately.

      If something is really bothering me, I can ask myself, “how are these thoughts contributing to my serenity?” and I calm right down.

    2. Nancy April 13th, 2010 at 10:00

      I love to walk. Today I noticed all the small green buds on the little trees along the sidewalk, and the beautiful spring flowers bursting from gardens. The constantly changing colour of the sky above me. The robin perched on the very top of a roof chirping like as loudly as it’s little voice could chirp. Life all around me. That’s what brings me serenity.
      Thank you for the beautiful posts on emergence. I’m going to print them and put them up so I can read them often. Profoundly wise..what a gift you have given your readers.

    3. Amber April 13th, 2010 at 18:11

      I have learned to be very good at grasping moments of serenity in my life. It’s a defense mechanism for me. I have 2 little kids, and my life is very noisy and hectic. So when it isn’t for about 15 seconds I grab hold, breathe, and remember who I am and where I am. It saves my sanity on a daily basis.

    4. Tracey April 14th, 2010 at 23:35

      You have such a knack for finding these wonderful subjects…and pulling out the gold!

      I agree, serenity is a such a lovely and sometimes precious thing. I find that getting up before the rest of the house allows me to enjoy (and cultivate) a bit of serenity. I have noticed that on those braided days, when things seem to go wrong, it’s always a day when I’ve neglected my morning time. It just sort of grounds my day.

      Thanks so much for highlighting this lovely subject.

      Warmly,
      Tracey
      x0x

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