Try Cruising Above the Turbulence
Hazelden Betty Ford Treatment Centers used to host a once monthly in-person event called, "Second Sundays.” People in recovery, and people who had a person with an addiction in their life, were welcomed to gather at the Center City, Minnesota campus the second Sunday of each month. There were speakers, facilitated support groups, lunch and free time to peruse the book store and wander the campus. A friend and I occasionally attended 27 years ago.
We were browsing in the bookstore one day and I found a lovely mug. It was white with a purple drawing and lettering on it. There was an angel flying though the air with a smile on her face. The mug read, “Try cruising above the turbulence.” It looked similar to this.
I treasured this mug up until two years ago when it was accidentally broken. The motto meant a lot to me and carried me through some tough times. I would picture chaos on the ground - wild students thinking about anything other than learning, arguments with a spouse, tight budgets and self-imposed expectations to take on too much. Then I would picture myself observing them from up above. I could see the issues but I couldn’t feel them. It provided temporary relief, temporary peace.
Within the past few weeks several people have shared with me they’re feeling irritable and annoyed. Me too! I was worried I was the only one and couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. There are probably several factors including a resurgence of COVID in our area, fewer hours of daylight and the hum drum days of November. I’m typically not too irritable and don’t enjoy the feeling so I’ve been making a conscious effort to find peace.
I did some research and found a website by a neuroscientist, Dr. Caroline Leaf. She shares, "[Peace] brings a sense of clarity and wisdom to a situation, which is why I call it fuel. Without fuel or energy from a battery, a car can’t move—it’s stuck. Without a sense of peace, we get stuck.” (She also has a two minute quiz to determine how messy your mind is, if you enjoy that sort of thing. I’ll provide a link in the resources section.) Think of all the energy that could be conserved for enjoyable activities if we sought out ways in our days to find a little peace, or to soar above difficult situations, rather than fester inside of them.
Some believe that the purpose of life is peace. I’m one of them, yet our culture encourages us to value so many things that are contradictory to peace. We strive to meet unrealistic goals. We pursue more money and more things creating a constant dissatisfaction with our current life. We want to be noticed, or perhaps famous, to gain affirmation of our worth. None of that sounds peaceful to me, but like others, I often get caught up in the crazy cycle.
Despite a busy holiday season and the fatigue that comes with fewer hours of daylight, my goal this coming month is to create a little bit of peace each day. Nothing major, but a reminder of the purpose of my life. My hope is that the peace I create in my own life will bring forth peace for others. I also hope that by sharing it with you, you’ll find a little corner of peace in your world too.
31 Things That Bring Me Peace
sitting in quiet
petting the dog
complimenting someone, genuinely
writing down three things I’m grateful for
writing down negative emotions to rid myself of them
preparing food for someone with love
walking in nature
reading a good novel
making a gift for someone
sharing a good idea that will help someone else
listening to quiet music
looking at the Christmas tree
lighting a candle
wrapping up in a warm blanket
going to bed early
holding a baby
listening, instead of talking
setting out clothes the night before work
getting five minutes of morning sunlight
donating to a good cause
a technology-free evening
prayer
visualizing myself at peace
thinking about all the ways I appreciate my partner
baking cookies for a shelter
going to a new shop to look around, sparking my creativity
preparing all my food the day before a work day
a no cooking day
playing a game of cards
taking a nap
slathering my hands in lotion and covering them with plastic gloves or clean socks so I’m unable to do anything for 20 minutes
I challenge you to cruise above the turbulence this coming month. Plan out a few moments of peace for each day in December. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful way to end your year? Then track your mood to determine if it makes a difference for you.
Paid subscribers receive a visual of peaceful activities to try, a calendar to plan activities that are meaningful to them, and the usual phone wallpaper too.
Resources
Dr. Leaf's How Messy Is Your Mind Quiz
Ideas to Slow Down the Holiday Season
Paid subscribers receive:
the opportunity to support this newsletter
a monthly challenge to boost your mental health, reminders and motivators
my everlasting gratitude
As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to let you know how grateful I am to you for being a paid subscriber. You not only support my work but you also make me feel as though my ideas are valuable. I’m so thankful for you.
Here are your extras this week. Please use them to schedule a little peace in each day as we approach a very busy time of year. You’re welcome to post an activity you’re especially looking forward to in the comments. Or maybe one that would be helpful to someone else. Happy Thanksgiving!
