One of the things I feel truly blessed to have is a calm and peaceful life for my son and I.
I have strived to create a very relaxed and nurturing home environment for us, and I thought I would share some of my techniques for cultivating calm.
- Avoid watching, or listening to, the news as much as possible. See my earlier blog post here for more.
- Listen to classical music. Especially the “lighter” pieces. This is my favourite radio station.
- Lavender oil. Not only is this fantastic essential oil relaxing, it also helps dispel negative energy. Use it in an oil burner. Sprinkle it on your pillow before bedtime. Or wear it instead of perfume (to stay calm during the day).
- Practice deep breathing.
- Smile – even if you don’t initially feel like it.
- Go for a walk everyday. As you walk, use the opportunity to really notice your environment. What can you see? Hear? Smell?
- Practice meditation
- Write out your intentions each morning. Including the intention to be calm.
- Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
- Drink tea, mindfully.
and my favourite, and I most highly recommend:
- Avoid harshness.
Harsh speech. Harsh thoughts. Harsh influences.
Be mindful of what you exposure yourself to. For example – music, books, movies…
Are they adding to your feeling of calm and peace?
I must admit that I used to read a lot of horror and crime novels.
Until I read this enlightening blog post:
I won’t Kill Bill
“On a personal level, I question how I can claim to dedicate myself to a life of peace and nonviolence when I’m watching movies like Predator and Goodfellas on the weekends.”
The points in the blog post can also be extended beyond movies, to what other influences you expose yourself to.
Reading this blog post really opened my eyes. And made me aware of how I felt after reading those types of books – depressed, anxious and jumpy.
Now I tend to stick to non-fiction books. I usually spend my time reading to learn something, or improve myself.
Remember that peace generates peace. By cultivating calm and peace within ourselves, we influence those around us , thereby making them feel more calm as well.
istopforsuffering 