In Search of Peace of Mind

Have you known a person who is in a constant state of mental turmoil and to whom peace of mind seems anathema? Some people seem to thrive in chaos and create crises for themselves if none exists. There are many theories about why some people are like this, among them that stress helps people seem important, gives a chemical rush, and helps them to avoid responsibilities.

In Selected Letters of D.H. Lawrence, the author is quoted as saying, "But then peace, peace! I am so mistrustful of it: so much afraid that it means a sort of weakness and giving in." Most people, however, do not shy away from serenity and earnestly seek peace of mind. I worked for years at an extremely stressful job that became increasingly intolerable. Because it was work that I felt passionately about and I could not imagine abandoning that work, I spent the last year searching for some way to change myself so that I could better handle the stress. Eventually I did resign and became reacquainted with peace of mind. I now look back in amazement at the number of heart-pounding, sleepless nights I tolerated. I learned many lessons from that experience, lessons I hope to remember forever. Do not tolerate the intolerable. Set limits in your life. Do not stretch your boundaries to the extent that you begin to accept totally unacceptable conditions. Pay attention to your instincts. Do not ignore your inner voice, especially when it is screaming at you. I knew in my heart of hearts that I needed to quit my job at least one year before I did so. I ignored my instincts and told myself that it would be totally irresponsible and self-indulgent to quit a job when I had no other job lined up. By ignoring my inner knowledge, I caused myself unnecessary suffering. Take action. Do the next right thing in front of you to do. We often experience turmoil because of inaction, by being afraid to take steps or make changes that we need to live healthy lives. Don't wait until you feel great to take that action, whether it is leaving an abusive relationship or stressful job, or making amends for what you have done to hurt someone. Take the action….the feeling will follow. Inner peace is a strange thing. It does not always coincide with the level of calmness in the outer life. Horatio Spafford was a successful Chicago lawyer who, shortly after the death of his son, lost a great deal of his real estate investments in the Chicago fire of 1871. In 1873 he planned a trip to Europe with his wife and four daughters. Delayed by business, he sent his family on ahead and promised to follow in a few days. During the voyage the ship was struck by an English ship and sank in twelve minutes. Several days later when survivors landed in Wales, Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband the brief message, "Saved alone." When Mr. Spafford sailed to meet his grieving wife, he passed near the place where his four daughters had drowned, and there, in the midst of his sorrow, wrote one of the most beautiful and inspirational hymns of all times, "It Is Well with My Soul." I believe that there lie in all of us many untapped resources for peace of mind. By paying attention to our intuitions, focusing on our spirituality, setting boundaries, and being brave enough to make needed changes in our lives, we can become familiar with serenity.