Reach for Inner Calm

When our bodies are constantly stressed and tense, we're setting ourselves up for distress and disease. It is crucial to our healing and continued good health that we achieve and maintain an internal calm. Even in our fast-forward world, achieving inner peace and calm is possible. It requires developing ways to strengthen every aspect of our being—body, mind, spirit and behavior. When these key aspects of our lives are working in concert, the way is opened to managing stress and achieving the harmonious life we all are longing for.

Change the situation that's causing your stress: You can learn to say no. Avoid difficult people. Stop procrastinating. Learn to compromise.

Change your reaction to the situation: Hidden in all the drama, no matter how painful or shameful it may be, there is always a lesson in living. Find it, focus on it—for your growth and development. There will always be things we can't control. Rather than rigidly resist and possibly snap, bend like a willow in the wind and bounce back. See what the ill wind has been sent to teach you.

Practice forgiveness or be forever held hostage to hurts of the past. Forgiveness is a process that takes time and demands courage. We may need the help of a minister or therapist to honor our heart's capacity to change and grow and trust again. Forgive yourself for your missteps; guilt is a heavy burden to carry. In your quiet time, ask for forgiveness from those you have hurt and offer it to those who have hurt you. This will open wide a space in your life for healing, renewal and joy.

Cultivate the good within and around you. There's no need to grab, hoard or cling to things. Insisting that everything goes our way only gives evidence of our deep insecurities.