So many people live within unhappy circumstances. Yet, will not take the initiative to change their situation, because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservation. All of which may appear to give one peace of mind. But in reality, nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit.
What can we do to tame unruly thoughts, to calm a disquieted soul, and achieve serenity through inner harmony? Perhaps we have to be our own best friend and give ourselves some practical advice. Maybe we need to change some things or perhaps change everything.
Here are a few ways to reach inner harmony:
TRAVEL OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE
We search for peace and contentment but in the end, realize it was always there somewhere locked within us. In the movie, Eat, Pray, Love the writer escaped her problems by traveling. She started with Italy, followed by India, and ending in Bali only to uncover what she perhaps already knew. The writer discovered herself through the process of letting go of who she thought she was and accepting who she became.
Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it.
By traveling to a new destination, somewhere you have never been before can lead to a breakthrough. The key is to experience new places, events, and people. Change redirects the way you think as the new experiences open new neural pathways of the mind. The journey separates us from the comfort zone we get lost in. Not even realizing that the same old… same old is quite harmful to our well-being.
When experiencing different places and faces, we receive an opportunity to look at our situations through a new set of eyes. As we alter the way we see our position, we recover and pull through the events that caused us pain, confusion, and internal commotion. That’s why vacations are important. It is the means to unwind, relax, and recoup. Before the vacation, we found ourselves stressed out. However, after a retreat, we are relieved because we moved away from the external conflict, which released awareness and clarity.
PAMPER YOUR WAY TO INNER HARMONY
We get caught up in the competition for jobs. Wrapped up in achieving the next promotion. We are in constant pursuit of acceptance, searching for approval. It takes discipline to be in contests or competitions, whether in work, play or love. We race our way through life ignoring our own needs. The care and nurturance of self isn’t a selfish motive. We give and give, but fail to give to ourselves. If we don’t take care of ourselves, how can we care for others? We can’t because there will be nothing left to give when our energy is depleted. We reclaim some of that vital energy by simply taking a time out.
Schedule some spa time; a little pampering goes a long way. A massage with aromatic oils may be the magical solution. Perhaps, a manicure, pedicure, facial, or a trip to the barber or hair salon is long overdue. You can even keep it simple. Light a candle, enjoy a glass of wine and take a relaxing bubble bath with your favorite music playing softly in the background. Just relax, breathe deeply, let go, and enjoy life’s gifts.
READ AND DISCOVER THE TREASURE
What about a vacation that involves one glorious week of nothingness, by yourself, just reading? Something so minimal can deliver a great reward. With billions of books to choose from, you have a treasure trove of enchanting entertainment. When reading, it opens an escape hatch to the world of fantasy and the story captivates and holds our attention. We leave cares, concerns, and worries behind entering a portal of rest and relaxation.
Imagination, vision, and inspiration help us weather the tough times. We can go where our thoughts take us; our choice. When we exercise our ingenuity, we capture the essence of inner harmony because of the freedom. The freedom of choice, the free will to do what we love, and the liberty to go where our heart tells us to go. It’s when we try new things, explore new options, seek new experiences we discover that peace, harmony, and serenity rests quietly within us.