How to Find Peace When the World Around You is Nuts.
Remember the scene in The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy is swept up into a tornado, sucked into the destruction that was going on around her? Sometimes that’s life for you--no matter how hard you try to stay balanced, the world around you seems like nothing short of chaos. But when you do manage to stay above the fray, you’ll reap the rewards. It’s well worth the extra effort to set yourself apart and find peace even when the world around you is running like a chicken with its head cut off.
Find a Closet and Shut the Door
It sounds strange, but sometimes you need to physically separate yourself from the world in an effort to stay mindful. Wake up before the rest of your family every morning, find a quiet place like an extra closet, and try some meditation.
To set up for meditation, find a comfortable seat, either cross legged or seated on your heels, set your cellphone alarm clock, close your eyes, and begin to follow your breath. You can meditate for as few as 5 minutes per day or even better, once in the morning and once in the evening. It’s not about how long you meditate, but rather, how regularly you meditate.
Take a News and Social Media Fast
When you feel the world around you becoming too dramatic, turn it off. This especially pertains to the daily news cycle, which is more available and more depressing than ever before. Decide that you’re going to go without television, radio, and social media for a week or so and see how it goes. Breathe into all that extra time you have once you’ve unplugged for a bit. It’s mind boggling how much time each day we spend on one gadget or another.
Stay Balanced When Life’s Trials and Tribulations Take Hold
The littlest thing can knock us off our pedestal of grace. Ms. Attitude served your latte without a smile, in fact, she was downright rude to you when you asked for a refill. Your afternoon commute was tainted when no one would let you into the lane you needed. It seemed, in fact, that they wanted to block you out. While life’s little displeasures can shake you, you’ll feel far better about yourself if you just shrug them off and move on. Screaming at the barista and riding bumpers does not a kind soul make. Keep it cool when something is truly NOT a big deal.
Know When You’re Off Balance
Sometimes you just need to step back and reevaluate. Maybe it’s hormonal, maybe you had too much coffee, or maybe the stars are aligned a certain way that’s making you crazy. Whatever the cause, knowing is half the battle. Be aware when you’re off balance and turn inward. Have a plan set aside so that you can bring yourself back to normal. It could be that you need to take a day off, head to yoga class, double up on meditation, cut the caffeine, or get a massage. Have a plan for when you feel yourself falling out of balance so that you don’t get sucked into the tornado like Dorothy did.
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