Paull - Finding serenity in seasons of stress: simple solutions for difficult times

Text copyright Candy Paull 2013

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Published by Grand Harbor Press
1704 Eaton Drive
Grand Haven, MI 49417

ISBN-13: 9781477848111
ISBN-10: 1477848118

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013940848

Dedicated to my readers: We meet in the Secret Place of the Most High

Contents

From listening to your body to hearing the still, small intuitive voice in your heart, it is my prayer that Finding Serenity in Seasons of Stress will help you find both spiritual and practical inspiration that will not only make your day better, but introduce you to the deepest part of yourselfthe true heart that is sacred, serene, and beautiful at all times.

Candy Paull

With an eye made quiet by the power of harmony, and the deep power of joy, we see into the life of things.

William Wordsworth

Stress is the perception that we are separated from our divine source.

Brian Luke Seaward

The serene, silent beauty of a holy life is the most powerful influence in the world, next to the might of the Spirit of God.

Blaise Pascal

S erenity. You hear it in the music of Debussy, Mozart, Bach, and Brahmsa smooth flow of melody and harmony that soothes your heart and calms your mind. Or you might find it in the achingly beautiful Quiet City by Aaron Copland, or in the sound of a flute played in the abstract beauty of a Japanese garden. Serenity is a picture of a beautiful meadow with horses grazing and grass as green as a four-leaf clover, or a tranquil lake mirroring a cloudless azure sky. You sense it in the old masters paintings of Mary, with her sweet smile and tranquil expression, or in the mysterious smile of Leonardo da Vincis Mona Lisa. Serenity is the sigh of relief as you sink into bed after a long busy day, or the feeling of release in the aftermath of a storm of tears.

Yet in our frazzled society, serenity is hard to find. You look in the mirror, but instead of a serene, smiling face, you see your own worried countenance. How do you achieve serenity in this ever-accelerating modern age? How can you find the stillness and tranquility that brings a higher perspective on life and your place in it?

The solution doesnt have to be complex, and you dont have to rearrange your entire life. Cultivating inner serenity can begin with small adjustments that will shift your attention and move you into a calmer place. Serenity is a gift that comes moment by moment, choice by choice. It grows from within and expands outwardly. Serenity can exist in the midst of a storm, as well as when the sun shines in a cloudless sky. Finding Serenity in Seasons of Stress offers thoughts that help you tap into that higher, more spiritual viewpoint; yet it attends to the earthy details and simple choices that enable you to create the life of your dreams instead of the drama of your nightmares.

Finding Serenity in Seasons of Stress offers a combination of practical help and spiritual insight to help you bridge the gap between the way things are and the way you wish they could be. There are no guarantees or promises of nirvana, just simple suggestions for coping with the stress of daily life and thoughts that might inspire you to find a higher perspective during troublesome times. Youll find practical ideas for body, mind, and spirit that will help you cope with unavoidable stress and inspire you to eliminate that which no longer serves you. With small adjustments to seemingly minor stress points, you can learn to simplify your life and make room for more beauty, meaning, and joy. Youll be reminded of things you already know but often forget when the pressures of life become overwhelming.

From commonsense advice youve heard for years from mothers, mentors, and teachers to heartfelt thoughts about what it means to make the choices that soften the hard blows life can deliver, Finding Serenity in Seasons of Stress was written to help you discover reminders of hope and encouragement for the soul in any season of life. Created to inspire you in the midst of a busy life, this book not only addresses the outward symptoms of stress and tension, but also encourages you to examine the root causes, which are spiritual in nature.

Filled with simple suggestions for making life just a bit calmer and more ordered, Finding Serenity in Seasons of Stress offers an antidote to the frustration and stress of everyday living. Let these pages be an oasis in the middle of a busy daya reminder of your own capacity for healing and beauty, and an exploration of new possibilities for leading a more tranquil and spiritually expansive existence.

This collection of ideas is a gentle reminder of the wisdom you already carry within. It is a reminder that there is Something wiser and more benevolent at work in the circumstances and conditions of your life, and Someone who loves you without judgment or condemnationno matter how you may feel you have failed to live up to your God-given potential. You are not bound by the history of your past, the limits of your understanding. There is a core of serenityan inner guidance system that resides in your heart and expresses in your soul. This is the place where love begins, and it is your true nature, your authentic self beneath all the masks of personality, ego, and the small self that clings and clutches.

May you make a simple choice to become more aware and to cultivate a serene spirit. This is the starting place for an inner revolution that can color your entire life with light, joy, love, and a sense of peace and plenitude. Open your heart to accept the sweet serenity that is always at the center of your being.

If there is light in the soul,

There will be beauty in the person.

If there is beauty in the person,

There will be harmony in the house.

If there is harmony in the house,

There will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation,

There will be peace in the world.

Chinese proverb

Man ordinarily goes no further than his own experience (and that includes the experience of the race) for help in an emergency. But those who go still further within themselves for the answer will find a timeless wisdom and inspiration to be translated into the human need of the moment.

Letters of the Scattered Brotherhood

We have to make peace and reduce the suffering in ourselves first, because we represent the world. Peace, love, and happiness must always begin here, with ourselves. There is suffering, fear, and anger inside of us, and when we take care of it, we are taking care of the world. So first you have to focus on the practice of being. Being fresh. Being peaceful. Being attentive. Being generous. Being compassionate.