A Pocket of Peace
by Janice Lynne Lundy
A Pocket of Peace is an intentional pause. It is a sacred opportunity to stop, let go of any emotional or physical duress we may be experiencing, and remember the inner peace that abides within us. When life threatens to overwhelm, when stress, fear, or worry come to call, simply stop, take a breath, and practice this Pocket of Peace. Doing so will bring you home to your truest self - a woman who is naturally calm, clear, and wise.

Everyone needs an oasis in the desert of life.
Your personal oasis is waiting for you.
When you find it, drink deeply of its cooling waters.
Relax in the shade of its sheltering palms.
Be satisfied.
Be well.

~~~~~~~

Waking up with gratitude

For as long as I can remember, I’ve believed that the thoughts we think shape our reality. This is especially true of gratitude. Have you ever noticed that the people who are grateful seem to be the most happy? It doesn’t seem to matter what they have or have not—especially possessions or achievements—they appear to be just plain happy about life. And, lest we forget, a happy heart begets a peaceful heart.

True happiness of body, mind, heart, and soul arise when we can see life with “sacred vision.” This means that we have developed the ability to view people and circumstances as good—our cup of life as full. We might call its opposite seeing the world with “scarred vision.” From this perspective, life appears (and feels) disappointing or lacking—our cup of life is half empty. Not a scenario ripe for inner peace.

How we view our lives, as full or lacking, I believe, hinges upon our ability to focus on what we have, or what we don’t. Gratitude for what is can be cultivated through personal practice. We can shift our perspective from life as half-empty to half-full, and, in time, as full-to-overflowing! It simply requires growing in gratitude, a little bit at a time. This Thanksgiving, if you desire to harvest an attitude of gratitude, might I suggest the following practice.

A Body-Centered Practice of Gratitude

Before you rise in the morning, lay in bed for a few minutes more and mentally list your gratitudes. Begin with exactly where you are. Feel your body upon the mattress and give thanks for that. Allow your mind to focus on the next closest thing. Give thanks for blankets. For warmth. For a good night’s sleep. For the comfort you feel. Give thanks for the person lying next to you (if there is one.) For your children (if you have them) in the next room.

Now make your circle of gratitude a little wider. Expand it outwards. Give thanks for your house or apartment that protects you from the elements. For the food in your refrigerator that you will eat this morning. For the hot water you'll shower in as you begin your day.

Continue to expand your scope of gratitude. Offer thanks for your friends and family. Name them by name. For your neighborhood or church community. Your job or co-workers. Your city, state, country. Gratitude for the earth itself that overflows with natural beauty and provides resources that make our lives more comfortable. For health, for love, for the Spirit which encompasses us all. For breath, for the gift of being alive. And on you go, naming all the things in your world for which you are grateful.

Then, notice how you feel. If you’ve done this practice slowly, with sincerity, I can guarantee you will feel a whole lot lighter, even after only a a few minutes. Don’t be surprised if the hue of your entire day shifts to be brighter, more hopeful, and peace-filled.

Until next time …

May you be happy.
May you be well.
May you be safe.
May you be peaceful and at ease.

Love and Blessings,
Jan Lundy

©Janice Lynne Lundy, 2008
Learn more about Jan Lundy and "Pockets of Peace."

September's Pocket of Peace
October's Pocket of Peace