Creating A Peace Within Yourself
What can be better than a peaceful living? When you are calm and nothing really bothers you. When you are full of this wonderful feeling of contentment. You don't have to run anywhere, don't have to prove anything, you are just happy and peaceful!
I found something for myself and I want to share it with you. And these are not the recommendations of what you need to do. I just want you to turn on your own creativity by looking at my examples. You are the only person who knows what you need to be happy. But I do believe that happiness of people around us can be inspirational.
Here is what helps me to create my peace :)
1. Awareness. If you are simply aware of your thoughts and feelings, if you are not fighting them, but acknowledge them, you can become much more peaceful. Awareness can help you to control negative emotions. When you just admit them without judgment, they go away. For example you can say to yourself: "Yes, I am upset right now, but I know that it will go away in a while. I cannot be upset all the time." This idea will help you to calm down and maybe will stop you from taking some unwanted actions that you can regret about later. So be aware of what is happening within you. We tend to pay too much attention to external factors when in reality all of our feelings are inside of us in our bodies and brains and we choose how to perceive the external environment. It is very important to remember that. You will never find peace if you are looking for it outside only. You need to look for it within yourself. Meditation is one of the greatest tools for awareness. But I don't think that everyone should sit strait and practice meditation. I even think that by acknowledging your thoughts you already meditate. Just start to work on this habit of awareness, and it doesn't matter how you build it.
2. Volunteering. I started my volunteering experience when I moved to US about 5 years ago. I was walking with the dogs at Save-A-Pet organization. It was so nice to spend time with puppies, to play with them and to see how happy they were, when they went outside. Then I moved from suburbs to the city and decided to apply to children's hospital. It took me a year to get there, but I was so happy when finally I was accepted! Since then every Saturday I go to the hospital to spend time with kids. I met a lot of very nice people there. My supervisor is wonderful, very kind and thoughtful! Sometimes I just hold a baby for couple of hours. It is so interesting how babies observe the environment. And sometimes I am surprised how peaceful they are in spite of all IV pumps attached to their tiny bodies. After the shift I usually wipe the toys in the playroom. It can look boring, but I think it is very calming. A year ago I decided to become a big sister and applied for Big Brothers Big Sisters program. I was matched with an amazing girl, very talented and creative. Because of her I opened the whole new teenager's world to myself. It is so much fun! When we give something to others we create peace for ourselves. I think that volunteering is one of the best way to make your life more meaningful and bring you more joy! I am sharing my experience with the hope that it will inspire you to give your time and efforts to those who need you.
3. Creative Hobby. This is the fun part! I discovered it just couple of months ago and can't believe how much it improved my life! I do believe that people were born to create something and it doesn't matter what exactly, there are millions of options. You can draw, you can write a poem or a song, you can cook or you can knit, it doesn't matter as long as you use your creativity! You just need to do what you really like. I recently found out that I love to sew. And I was not looking for anything, I just all of a sudden realized that I want to get a sewing machine and I bought it the same day. Sewing is fun! I love to put pieces of fabric together and see how they transform to the garment. And that you can select any style you want, any fabric you want, etc. And it is interesting how you start doing something and learn new information. I can feel how this new hobby literally transforms my brain! Time passes by so fast. You just do what you like and can hardly stop. Now here be careful, don't get too obsessed. But try to think of a creative hobbies that you can enjoy and add them to your life as soon as you can! I am planning on adding photos and videos of my sewing to my blog and my YouTube channel. More to come!
4. Music. I do love to listen to the music when I drive to work. I like something calming like Kenny G for example. I am driving, looking at the sky and listening to my favorite songs. This is the moment of peace and contentment that I like so much. And you can create it by yourself just by choosing the right melody! So simple and so helpful!
5. No Negativity. I must admit that I got rid of some negative people I used to know. Let’s be honest, that it is not something that very strong person will do, but if you feel that someone is dragging you down, you have the right to avoid this person. In the end of the day we are responsible for our own happiness and if you don't take care of yourself no one else will be able to help you.
6. People I love! I listed this one at the end, but being with people I love is actually the best! Nothing can compare with that. Sometimes we cannot be there for them, sometimes they cannot spend time with us, so it is a little bit harder than other options that I've listed above, simply because you kind of depend on externals. But I believe that people we love the most are always with us in our hearts! Even when they are far away. You can just think about them, and how much love you have, and these thoughts will bring you peace. But if you have a chance to be there for people you love, don't miss it! Don't try to run after short-term pleasures, better give your love to those who are very important to you. Trust me, it will bring you much more joy than meaningless things which we consider sometimes as important only because others have them.
As you can see it is not too hard to bring peace into your life, and you definitely can do it! But as I mentioned before: be careful and don't get too attached to anything. There is no peace where there is an attachment. And don't try too hard, it should be easy, it should be a flow, should come to you by itself, you don't have to put too much efforts, you just need to do what is RIGHT FOR YOU AT THIS MOMENT.
Remember about your health and think of how your hobbies can affect your loved ones. Be mindful, but not obsessively mindful, ha-ha-ha! Stop watching TV shows, gossiping or drinking beer at the bar! Create, create and create! Give, give and give! Love, love and love! And don't forget to smile! It always helps, even when it hurts!
When we are peaceful inside, the world around us becomes better. And with your positive vibes you can make a huge difference.
Peace!
Be Strong And Love Yourself!
From Dasha with love!