Being able to accept life on life’s terms is absolutely necessary if we are to be granted serenity. But there seems to be more to it. True acceptance includes faith that our struggles have purpose, that we are not ever alone and that in the end, we will be o.k. This is the kind of acceptance that gives us true serenity. When I am feeling less than serene, I find that I am in a state of resignation rather than being truly accepting. Resignation leaves us feeling hopeless, resentful and alone, feelings that make serenity impossible. Resignation is so easy, we just silently slip into the dark place. Acceptance, however, requires us to make an effort on a daily basis to develop and maintain the healthy spiritual condition from which faith flows.
Writing this piece has been a series of starts and stops. It did not flow easily. I struggled to make myself attend to the task. A number of times, I signed on, intending to delete the whole thing. Yesterday, it occurred to me that the reason I am having such a time with it, is because I am walking the line between acceptance and resignation. On any given day, I may be leaning slightly toward one or the other, but never fully IN either. I am finding it an uncomfortable place to be. I know where I want to be, in full acceptance, but I just have not been able to make that final leap. However, I take comfort in the fact that, in the process of spiritual evolution, there will be times of what appears to be non-movement or stuckness. This is often a period when lessons and experiences are being internally processed and incorporated before the next leap forward.
The lesson for me here: PATIENCE & TRUST.
Believe it or not, gratitude is the basis of my serenity. When I neglect to do my mental gratitude list on a daily basis, I can feel myself slipping into old patterns of self pity, envy and even resentment.
If I am mindful, I can find many things to be grateful for during my day. I try to keep my eyes open for little blessings and say thank you immediately. At the end of my day, I review the things I had felt grateful for. At the beginning of my day, I ask that my eyes will be open to everything good that comes my way and look for the positive in every situation.
Situations that could easily earn the label of BAD, will almost always provide a learning experience from which something good will come, if not now, then eventually. Say thank you in advance for what is to come. There was a story I read that told of a woman whose husband lost his very lucrative job. Instead of being down about it, she put together a small celebration. They celebrated the fact that a new door was opening, a new chapter was beginning. Things worked out and no time and emotion was wasted on anger, disappointment and worry. Things are almost never as bad as we forecast they will be. In fact, staying stuck in the negative can ensure a negative outcome. What we put out to the universe, we get back! But, then, that is a topic for another time.
Practice gratitude on a daily basis and your life will take a turn for the better!
“He who knows he has enough, is rich”
……Lao Tzu
I find myself longing to simplify in all areas of my life. Excess has become annoying. Clutter of any sort must go. I want less of everything in my surroundings. I am throwing away, giving away or selling anything that seems unnecessary. Amazingly, I want fewer clothes, even fewer shoes!
I am exploring ways to de-clutter my mind. I cast aside useless thoughts or worries. I reject the negative and seek it’s hidden treasure. I do not take responsibility for things that are not mine or that I cannot change.
I enjoy the silence. Background noise that I used to depend on, is now just a nuisance. I find myself turning the radio off while driving.
Simplicity pleases me now. I have read that as one becomes more spiritually fit, the less important the material world becomes. Our ego is no longer in charge. This is the freedom from bondage of self that we have read about.
Joy in simplicity is a sign of spiritual growth and I must say, a relief! For how hard was it, to always be needing, searching, trying to just be o.k. and never getting there??
Clutter is noise, and the noise keeps us from Hearing. When I can hear, I can take direction, I know how to proceed, and I am not as afraid. This, for me, is true serenity.
Pam J.
“The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.” Zen saying
I have been reading a lot lately, and it seems that this issue of “intention” keeps appearing. Basically it says that “whatever you focus on will become more apparent and will grow” If you can believe that, and I do, it makes absolute sense to focus on the positive rather than the negative. Doing this involves a 180 degree shift for this writer!!!
An example is this web-site/business venture, “Seren-i-tees”. When I conceived of the idea, I KNEW it was timely and that I had something to share. But let’s just say I did not get a lot of positive support from home! Still, I went forward, not having a clue as to what I was doing. I believe in signs and I am learning to trust them and to listen to that inner voice and trust that as well. This was no small feat for me. Like many, I grew up in a situation that did not lend itself to trusting what you saw, heard or felt. I can question myself right out of any action or decision. THIS WILL DEFINITELY SLOW YOU DOWN!
Okay, so here I am. I have ideas, I have product, and I have a website. I have set my intention to be successful in this venture. What I need now is faith, real faith. I cannot fool the UNIVERSE! It knows all to well that I really don’t believe that I can do it, that I can make it a success. So here I am taking a leap of faith and saying to anyone listening:
I CAN MAKE THIS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS. I HAVE SOMETHING TO CONTRIBUTE AND SHARE WITH OTHERS WHO ARE SEEKING SERENITY AND SPIRITUALITY IN THEIR LIVES.
I will continue to make entries, to look for sources of advertising with the faith that if I continue to believe in and move steadily toward my intention, I will be successful!
The catch is: “THE DEFINITION OF MY SUCCESS MAY NOT BE THE ONE I ENVISION. I WILL ACCEPT THAT MY HIGHER POWER HAS ALREADY DEFINED THAT SUCCESS .”
PAM J. I am ready to be free.
“ZEN IN IT’S ESSENCE, IS THE ART OF SEEING INTO THE NATURE OF ONE’S BEING,AND IT POINTS THE WAY FROM BONDAGE TO FREEDOM.” D.T Suzuki
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