When we look around this big, beautiful world we live in, it can seem a little overwhelming – especially right now. Wars, conflicts, poverty, crime, economic crisis – sometimes it seems that life is not the blissful one we grew up in.
And yet, in many ways, it still is. The sun rises and sets every day, the stars still twinkle in the sky each night. Fresh grass still smells as sweet as ever, and the sound of children playing in the playground always warms my heart.
Of course, it is not perfect, but I doubt it ever was. It is just in this social media/news filled life we find ourselves in, we hear so much more than we ever did.
How to Quiet Your Mind
There are many things I do to make my mind feel a little calmer. A walk along the beach is always my first choice. Listening to the sounds of the waves, feeling the water splash over my feet, and knowing that for millennia the same thing has been happening, each and every day.
Nature is also a fabulous remedy for an overactive mind. Walking barefoot through the grass, listening to the birds sing, planting seeds in the garden and, even hugging trees, all help me to feel grounded and connected. Nature is wiser and more experienced than any of us, so I am happy to follow her lead and rejoice in the seasons, and everything she provides for us.
I find history, and knowing all that has gone before, very humbling. We have had wars, pandemics, plagues, invasions, economic collapse – and yet we are still here. I am fortunate to live in a gorgeous 400-year-old cottage, and I often think how difficult it must have been for people living in rural communities centuries ago. My cottage is beside a church, and there is a little gravestone marking the death of 70 villagers from the plague… I count my blessing often.
Take a Step Back
When something happens that upsets or worries us, it is easy to react straight away. Sometimes what is needed is a small step back, a little time, and the understanding that things may not be as they seem. Most things sort themselves out if we let them.
Life gives us many things to deal with, and most of us do a fantastic job managing them. Somehow we find the right words, do the right thing, make enough money, create a beautiful home, bring up a family, support our friends. It is a lot for one person!
And all the while we are learning, growing and, hopefully, building ourselves a happy and fulfilled life. Now we are older, wiser, and maybe even a little kinder to ourselves. We have loved, laughed and cried. We overcame countless obstacles, made our peace with others, and grieved over those we have lost. We are all part of the circle of life.
Be Thankful
Every morning I wake up thankful, and grateful, for what has been in my life. For those I have mourned, would I rather they had not been in my life to save me from pain? Of course not. I will take the pain a thousand-fold.
Each difficulty I overcame has taught me something, and I have become stronger, braver and more capable than I ever imagined. Age gives us the wonderful gift or wisdom, more precious than any amount of gold.
So don’t shy away from the world, it is still a beautiful place. Limit the amount of time you expose yourself to news (bad news sells faster than good!). Savour your days… smile more, laugh often, make new friends, learn something new. Make your own world a lovely place to be. 🙂
Join the conversation:
Do you feel life is overwhelming at times? How do you bring calmness into your life? Where is your go to happy place?
