Stay Calm and Carry On…
“You can’t always control what goes on outside, but you can always control what goes on inside. Stay calm.” —Wayne Dyer
“Stay Calm and Carry On” says the picture hanging on my friend’s guest bedroom wall. Hardly noticing it this past week while staying at her home to care for her dog, I found my eyes seeking out these wise words over the weekend amidst the chaos found in the headlines.
Wisdom teachers call us to quiet our minds and drop into the space inside where stillness and inner peace can be found. From that place, as inspired, we take right action for our self-care and for the world.
There are times, though, I find it challenging to disengage from what my physical senses are taking in. During those times, it feels like the attempt, or the intention, is what matters.
If I’m willing to let go of self-judgment about my effort, then dropping into the space of stillness inside for even a moment brings glimpses of calm and begins the restoration of my spirit. At a minimum, these glimpses point the way forward and through the chaos.
“You are the sky. Everything else—it’s just the weather.”
— Pema Chödrön
What are you doing for yourself to bring you precious moments of calm, of peace, of stillness throughout the day? If you don’t have a beloved practice, I invite you to select one of the quotes in today’s newsletter to ponder or perhaps repeat like a mantra, letting it bring you the blessing of calm inner waters or clear blue skies.
May the Holy One be with you, as you seek the love, clarity, or peace that only reveals itself in precious moments of calm.
Let Go…
“Don’t try to force anything. Let life be a deep let-go. God opens millions of flowers every day without forcing their buds.”
—Osho
Anchor to Calmness
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor to calmness.”
―Thich Nhat Hanh
Find Stillness
“When everything is moving and shifting, the only way to counteract chaos is stillness. When things feel extraordinary, strive for ordinary. When the surface is wavy, dive deeper for quieter waters.”
― Kristin Armstrong
There is Still Beauty
“We all find joy and radiance and a reason to move on even in the most dire of circumstances. Even in chaos and madness, there’s still a beauty that comes from just the vibrancy of another human spirit.”
―Ishmael Beah
