Finding Peace
March 2023
Today’s world is becoming increasingly difficult to stay grounded and focused with that “peaceful easy feeling”
As drugs and alcohol “in the beginning” provide us with that temporal escape we are seeking. The flaw here is that it’s temporal for both a normal drinker/user and the addictive drinker/user. As my life and all it’s experiences continue to evolve I feel more and more grounded in my own inner peace. To be clear, I chased this addiction piece to the very end at about 40 years of age, my life was both practically & theoretically over after years of chasing the beast that is addiction. It was fun and then it got egregiously dysfunctional as I ventured further into the darkness.
The question that begs to be answered is how do each of us seekers of peace not only find peace, but live in peace in a sustainable, meaningful, & peaceful way? My belief is that each of us can reshape our perspective and through this new thought life, our life experience opens like a wildflower in the Rocky Mountains in spring. However, this does require some very difficult work.
After a few decades in the light, I’ve experienced joy in ways that I never understood to be possible. Some keys to this far more sustainable and interesting trajectory of my life’s journey include things like practicing radical vulnerability in everything. Growing up I was never provided the knowledge, rather wisdom, that indicated that vulnerability is a strength not a weakness. My childhood messaging was vulnerable people were weak. Today I live in peace most of the time because I’ve learned to become increasingly comfortable in the unknowing. I now enjoy things like developing unattached awareness & acceptance of the things that make me fearful or angry for example.
Let curiosity rule the day. A curious mind is a healthy mind. True awareness will always reside in having a mindset of constant growth. Developing new understanding about things that matter is a recipe for sustainable joy. Ask for feedback without responding with anything other than “thank you.” This puzzle piece will ignite greater self- awareness. A response is not needed or helpful. Just ask for feedback from a trusted friend, spouse or co-worker and take it in for curious contemplation. You will be amazed at how this will open your mind and increase your wisdom.
Most important just may be an active and curious spiritual life. Humility is born out of fully understanding that you are not terminally unique nor are you the master of the universe. Each of us needs to be curious about our spiritual journey in order to attain and then properly cultivate a relationship with something far greater than ourselves. On a very personal level I find that the closer I grow to God, the better I show up as the human I wish to be.
So, let’s do this. Let’s lean into love and see where it takes us. All the darkness around us will never conquer the light. Bring peace, bring vulnerability, bring curiosity and a loving spirit into each room you enter. Love & light will always triumph over the darkness of those that struggle to find peace. One of my most cherished mentors and friends told me “When in doubt – be peaceful and kind.” Everything else will take care of itself.