Four Steps To Peace Of Mind

Four Steps to Peace of Mind. Hey everyone, I hope you are well. In today’s post, I will be sharing four steps to peace of mind. I know it has been a minute since I posted. Life has changed drastically, and we are all worried about our future. 2020 has not been a good year for all of us. We are about to hit the 6th month of the year, and things are getting worse by the day. However, let’s not forget that the world has worsened in the past, and we came out strong. Life will continue, and life will get better.

Four Steps To Peace Of Mind

A friend has this quotation on his office wall: “I know we worry because nothing I worry about ever happens.”

I must believe that because I worry a lot about the most insignificant things. I worry about the big stuff, like health, relationships, and finances. But I’m also liable to fret about anything and everything that finds its way into my consciousness.

Because I spend so much time on worry, I’ve decided to embrace it with a personal research project. Maybe you’d like to join me.

Catch Yourself

I practice catching myself at it. “Hey, I’m worrying again.” During a recent morning swim, I saw myself worrying ten times during one lap! I’m not kidding. I find something on rare days when I don’t have anything to worry about. What I’ve learned is that worry is a mental habit. I can change practices; I’ve done it before. There’s hope.

Practice Presence

My second approach is to practice presence. By this, I mean stopping my thoughts. In my workshops, I ring a bell to help participants practice centring. The quieter we are, the longer we hear the bell. There’s a lovely moment when we all listen . . . until the ring is barely audible . . . then just a memory. I relish that moment of quiet before my thoughts re-engage. There is no future or past, just Now. No worrying thoughts — no thoughts at all. It’s a peaceful place, which is why I stretch the moment. I want to strengthen the connection to something greater than my worries.

Address The Issue

When I told my good friend Rosie about my worry project, she said to me about her approach, which is to do one of three things: decide to address the issue right then; if you can’t do anything about it at the moment, give yourself a time to address it later; or decide that it is not necessary and let it go. In other words, act on it, file it or throw it away.

Connect Yourself

Finally, one of Rosie’s favourite worry stoppers (and mine) is to sing. Connect with yourself, your creativity, and the place where everything is okay.

Awareness and acknowledgement are the keys to changing our habits. Morihei Ueshiba, who founded Aikido and spoke of it as the Art of Peace, said we must “always practice the Art of Peace vibrantly and joyfully.” Perhaps my research project on worry will help me to lighten up, smile, and live each day in such a way.

Are you worrying?

Stop your thoughts for a moment.

Listen to the sounds around you, pay attention, and be present at this crucial moment. And smile . . . for no reason. You may find that’s the best reason of all.

I hope you enjoyed that.

Talk soon