Peace of Mind – Comfort During Hard Times iampeacemaker, August 9, 2023August 12, 2023 I’m at peace and looking forward to the next adventure. No one knows their time or hour. Leaving this world is only the gateway to my bigger purpose. This blog post is about how to feel prepared. The fear of dying has a lot to do with the feeling that you have not accomplished your purpose on earth or made peace with your enemies and loved ones. My God-given calling is teaching people who need to learn how to be beacons of light to help light the way for lost souls in a dark, confusing, and frightening world. He literally said, “LET THAT BE YOUR CALLING!”, all authoritative and such, as loud as a trumpet, as I studied alone in a quiet house. Who do you want to be known as? I AM. It’s as simple as that. Just be. Enlightenment, or the way to nirvana, according to the Buddha’s teachings says to let go of your ego. Letting go of your ego is releasing all action verbs or labels attached to your worldly self. I AM the Light within that I take with me to the next world. So are you. It’s all you CAN take. It’s all you are. I believe the 12 steps of reconciliation are important because it’s the best way to forgive others and clear your conscience. It simply works. Having a clear conscience means you are no longer guilty… guilt blocks your light from shining. Another thing dimming the inner light is focusing on coveting things and consumerism. If you can let go of “things” and focus on improving your knowledge and becoming a better person, then your light will become brighter, or more enlightened. Buddhism says the opposite of nirvana is samsara, a chaotic world full of materialistic thoughts where there is a lack of peace. What you focus on in life may be what you take with you, so if things you can’t take with you when you die are what you think bring happiness, how can you ever expect to die in peace? Quieting your mind. When you try to constantly be aware of current affairs by immersing yourself in the news, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and/or YouTube videos, you’ll find your mind running overdrive. Perhaps you are even comfortable that way. Yet, I argue, your mind, the roller coaster ride traveling the information superhighway needs to be down for recovery and maintenance at least once in a while. When nerves become frayed, it’s time to stop and be mindful of your surroundings. Emotional stress is a very common condition these days. Believe it or not, only 35 years ago, NO ONE had a cell phone, never mind smartphones or Internet access. People went to libraries, searched file cards, books, made phone calls, and visited experts in person whenever they wanted to research something. It used to be okay to drop by a friend’s house without an initial phone call. Most people did not have cable TV. Our doors were left unlocked. People felt safe, kids would walk to the candy store alone with their quarter for a few gummy bears, play with building things, play with bikes, sticks, or marbles, and just enjoy the sun and nature at its finest. Everything was slower-paced. It was like heaven, tbh. People could get their quiet time by reading the paper or working outside. Global news was not even a concern to most people. For if you lived in North America, you hardly heard anything about overseas, except what you read in the newspaper. Yes, global affairs were important, but kids weren’t connected to the internet, kids didn’t even think about the internet. It did exist back then, but it wasn’t streamlined, and hardly anyone knew or cared; except when they wandered through Radio Shack. Being connected has inherent benefits, but if you can’t control yourself, it can be debilitating. Information can be an addiction like anything else, needing to know where your kids are even. In this dark and frightening world where you constantly see disturbing images and news feeds on the global front making you feel like you and your family are unsafe in your own home… it’s just too much; stop this world you need to get off, right? Disconnecting from electronics. When you think being caught without your phone means you won’t be able to video a car accident or crime in progress, what is the result? Are you afraid of not having instant knowledge of what exactly is going on, at all times, in all places? If there were an accident, would you be afraid to run to a neighboring house to call emergency responders? This was a normal practice before cell phones. People were more mindful of their neighbors back then. Friendly, even. Neighbors would visit for drinks and company and have community barbeques. This blog post is about your mental health. It’s a critical portion of your self-care to disconnect, at least occasionally. When you can let go of your devices, it’s time to practice mindfulness. It’s okay to just “be” sometimes. Read a book. Sit outside. Find a cabin in the woods that has no cell service. Chop wood. Feed the squirrels out there who aren’t as afraid of you. Listen to the different bird calls. Listen to the wind rustling the leaves. Take off your shoes and feel at One with nature. Have friends over and drinks around a campfire. Go for a swim in a body of water. Disconnect from the information superhighway. (I bet that last sentence stressed you out inside, so do you understand my point?) My point is, resting your mind from the problems of the world is VERY good for your mental health. We thrive in nature and close communities, it’s what our ancestors did, and it’s the world our minds, hearts, and bodies were designed for. “Mindfulness exercises” is a buzz term that I believe is a bit overused, especially with the word “exercises” attached, which makes it sound like work. People can meditate not only while they are sitting, in a chair, you can do it while wandering through nature or floating in the water. Mindfulness of your thoughts is a state of being where you can quietly observe your thoughts and feelings impartially, without judgment. Mindfully focusing only on your breathing help you to quiet your mind. When you successfully become mindful, you become the master of yourself. You don’t need the TV on to drown out your thoughts or follow the news to feel more powerful in your part of the world, you feel freer and more open. Mental Health Medications Inner voices and intrusive thoughts with audible hallucinations can lead to distraction if you have forms of schizophrenia. If you are finding yourself too distracted to focus on work, you might have a medical condition that can be improved with psychiatric medications. I know people who undoubtedly have conditions yet deny themselves treatment because they believe mental illness is something of which to be ashamed. They think they are better than needing mental help. Conditions like hyperphantasia where your visual imagery gets out of control, ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, or other stress-related illnesses that affect your peace of mind, can be helped with mindfulness practice and medications. It’s okay, really, don’t be ashamed. If you need medications to help you gain control over your thoughts, ask your doctor. Setting up your peace of mind. Prepare yourself for loss and be patient when it happens. This is a world of impermanence where nothing lasts, and everything passes in its own time. So set your mind on controlling your worry with mindfulness and accept when things are out of your control. Empower yourself to make changes when you can. Observing your thoughts peacefully will help you know the difference. Just Be. “Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” ~ Serenity prayer of A.A. If you wouldn’t follow yourself, why would anyone else follow you? Be the example you need. “Peace Maker” is my Indigenous Spirit name, my other Spirit name is Elainia, which means, “Land of Light”. I am a Canadian, a friend of God, an empathic woman with a timeless soul, driven to create more peaceful lives for those I meet through patience and understanding. It feels really good to say, “I AM Peace Making”. I encourage you to claim that. Positive affirmations are good for the soul. Then together we have the faith to move mountains! Share on FacebookTweetFollow us Peace Making enlightenmentinner lightinner peacemental healthpeace of mind
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