Tranquility: A choice place to live
Wednesday, October 4th, 2006I’ve chosen to live in tranquility. Not the physical location of Tranquility, USA, but the mental state of tranquility. Just as I choose the location of my physical dwelling, I can choose where I reside mentally and spiritually. I choose tranquility.
Would you like to join me in tranquility or do you prefer to dwell in turmoil? There is ample space available in both locations. There are several subdivisions in each.
Within tranquility there is: peace, love, serenity, joy, and harmony.
In turmoil there is: strife, anger, fear, hatred, and chaos.
Many people will say they would pick tranquility if they had a
choice, but they don’t have the luxury of choice because their world is filled with turmoil.
I don’t intend to dismiss the seriousness and helpless feeling of those immersed in a tumultuous environment, feeling there is no choice. But there is always choice.
Where we dwell day by day is a choice, regardless of our surroundings, because how we feel inside at any time is up to us. It’s easy to get caught up in the drama of people around us; their moods and problems can be highly contagious. But we can have empathy and support for those we care about without taking on their problems as our own.
Many of us are choosing to dwell in turmoil–perhaps subconsciously–but choosing nonetheless.
The turmoil landscape
Every time we bitterly, angrily contest some life situation we’ve chosen turmoil. Each time we righteously declare what is right or wrong we pick turmoil. Criticizing a spouse over little
things, correcting minor errors publicly, and arguing for the sake of being right puts us squarely in turmoil.
Deciding to participate in a derisive or demeaning attack on some faction of humans based on a difference–race, religion, gender, politics, or personal behavior–is a choice for turmoil.
The tranquility landscape
But each time we help another being–just for the sheer love of helping another–we choose tranquility. Every time we distance ourselves from those demeaning others as a way of feeling good about themselves, we pick tranquility. Living a life that is always true to self, while allowing others to do the same, is a choice for tranquility.
What about reality?
But, you might say, look at all the anger in the world around us. See the daily reports of killing, rape, combat, cheating, and stealing that goes on around us. How can you ignore it? That’s reality, you might say.
No, that’s not the reality, that’s a reality. Watching it, reading about it, talking about it, and modeling it in your personal environment creates the reality surrounding you. We create the place in which we dwell by where we spend our time, energy, and activities. The place of tranquility exists simultaneously, but we must choose to live within it.
For example, right now there is fighting, killing, theft, and abuse occurring somewhere in the world, probably right in the city where you live. But hopefully, not involving you. You can be involved in pleasant, positive, life affirming activities at the very instant that another person is experiencing a living hell. Which is reality? They are both reality.
Is it “sticking your head in the sand” to live in tranquility while turmoil boils around you, or vice-versa? The issue is not whether both tranquility and turmoil exist in the world–they do exist simultaneously and in parallel, yet worlds apart. The issue is which you choose.
So, where do you choose to live today, tranquility or turmoil? If you’re a long-time resident of turmoil, take a one week vacation and join me in the land of tranquility. Stay there for a week and observe your feelings. Life is easier in the land of tranquility.
==============================
This month’s theme is tranquility, with articles and a free discussion session devoted to achieving a tranquil state. More details on the discussion session in a later post.
Please Share Your Experiences
How do you achieve a peaceful, tranquil state of mind? Your experiences and helpful hints will help others. Please share both your successes and frustrations and ask questions about any aspect of tranquility. Email here.
Related Articles:
