The challenge of living a more peaceful life

This fast paced world we live in does not always lend itself to peaceful living. The responsibilities of job and family can seem endless. Add to that poor quality food, not enough sleep, impossible schedules and who could feel peaceful. Sadly most of us seem to accept this as routine, we don’t question it we simply do it because we know it and understand it.

Enter the wake up call. Those times when everything we knew and understood in our lives as normal is coming apart at the seams. A loved one dies, a marriage dissolves, we loose our job, a serious illness besets us causing our strength and youthful vitality to slip away. All of what was, or seemed positive now looks negative and we rail against the changes.

If we could only see things in terms of balance rather than positive or negative. Our universe is made up of positives and negatives-opposites, but opposites that balance one another. The earth itself sits within a large magnetic field with positive and negative polls. Our cells use the same universal laws of positive and negative charges to transfer nutrients and waste products back and forth across a cell wall. One could not exist without them but always there’s a balance.

Illness can represent a lack of balance. Regaining that balance during times of illness may mean learning to live our lives well in spite of an that illness, in short having some acceptance of our situation, along with some hope and faith for a better day. After all disease or "dis-ease" is the body’s way of asking that we pay attention, rebalance and redistribute our life force energy to a pattern that is more conducive to health.

In terms of positives and negatives and health in the human body, we would be happier and healthier if we understood that all of life is a flow of energy. When we cling to what may appear to be a positive for too long a time, the stronger the negative pull may become. Of course there’s nothing wrong with taking the positive view of things, it’s the right thing to do, but with closer examination what may have appeared to be a positive on the surface may not be bringing balance to your life. Your body is asking that there be some adjustments made.

When we find ourselves in the midst of a crisis we can at feel like a tar baby- stuck with no hope of every getting free. Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh writes, "People should not try to run away from their suffering. In fact, you have to hold the suffering and look deeply into it, because that is the only way to discover the true nature of your suffering. And when you have seen the true nature of your suffering you have a chance to see the way out." Don’t cling, make your effort the best it can possibly be and leave the outcome to your higher power.

We are charged to live each day to the fullest. It can be difficult finding that balance between living life to the fullest and allowing for down time. The next time you find yourself resisting some down time remember that rest brings regeneration and inspiration for the next challenge.

Till next time, Rebecca