Embrace Everyday Peacefulness

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‘It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.’  ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

Everyday peacefulness can be found in the smallest of moments. A beautiful sunrise greets you as you wake up. The aroma of coffee as your partner brings you a steaming cup unsolicited. Your loyal dog smothers you with love every time you come home. A rainbow appears outside your office window after a long and trying meeting.

Ignoring the little things that bring us joy and peace is easy. We get caught up in the more significant happenings of the day and must remember to appreciate the beautiful little things around us. I believe this is part of what present-moment awareness is all about 😊.

When we can slow down the constant movement back and forth, the endless thoughts bouncing off the insides of our brains, and the interminable (typically unnecessary) chatter with ourselves and others, maybe, just maybe, we can begin to soak up more peace and more beauty in our lives. We can always connect more deeply with ourselves and others by taking a tiny step backward. Zoom out with a wider-angle lens and fully notice and appreciate the big and small blessings we usually don't see.

I know for sure that when I do this, I feel better. When I can stop worrying about what will happen next or take a moment to listen from the inside out, I can be more grateful and peaceful. If I pause and think of the minor things and how they bring a smile to my face, it truly brightens my mood and my day – which just might become contagious to those around me!

I think of this practice as an ongoing meditation. If we can treat everyday life, even upsetting situations, more like a meditation, then perhaps we can bring a little more peace into our lives—a little more serenity and calmness. Learning to 'feel' meditation throughout your day might lead to extraordinary things!

I try to do this as often as I can. Sometimes I'm successful, others not so much. During my morning walks, on the golf course, or the balcony with a cool beverage, I frequently witness breathtaking wildlife and nature on display. On the beach, I am blessed to witness dolphins, turtles, sand crabs, many different birds, and my favorite pelicans soaring in and out of the ever-changing waves. On the golf course, I have seen deer with their playful fawns, many alligators, birds, raccoons, and the occasional eagle soaring high above me. No matter where I am, the list goes on:  Baby ducks waddling after their mother. A woodpecker knocking away. An osprey on the lookout for breakfast. Beautiful blooming trees, shrubs, and flowers. A rainbow. Amazing cloud formations. Sunrises and sunsets are different every day!  When I encounter any of these, I try to remember to take a moment to feel them in my heart. Send them a little prayer of thanks and gratitude for reminding me of this remarkable, beautiful, peaceful place I live in.

While engaging with others, I try to see and feel beyond the current conversation. To feel my love and connectedness to them. To sense how special they are and how blessed I am to have them in my life. It's often difficult to do amid the conversations and goings-on, but I find myself stepping into this peaceful place more easily with practice.  It just takes a moment to stop and remember to cherish those around you. Better yet, we should smile and express our love – often!

When we find ourselves in those same old situations of angst, anxiety, stress, worry, anger, take a breath and pause.  Look around and notice.  I am confident there is something else right in front of you to focus on instead that can soothe you.  Make it the priority.  Embrace it.  Turn those little, sweet, serene things into bigger things.  Choose to create peaceful moments instead.  You know, like how lucky you are to be on the golf course, its pristine beauty, the blue sky, the friendship you share with your playing partners, and the fantastic next shot you are about to take – not the last duffer, lol!

By making a conscious effort to notice, witness, and appreciate the peace around us, we might be delighted at what we see. We might become more attuned to the wonder of living. We might experience more detail in every moment. With each moment viewed a tiny bit differently, we can appreciate our lives and those around us a little more.

What little things do you take for granted that make you smile? How can you witness more in life that you are missing? What can you do to appreciate your everyday peacefulness better?

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