For a while now, I’ve wanted to consolidate a list of my “Peace Prescriptions”. I’ve previously written on this subject, and peace is an obvious focal point of Perfect Peace Yoga.
In this hectic holiday season, we may send and receive Christmas cards stating “Peace on Earth,” yet Christmas season can actually stir up unrest in us all. We can focus too much on all the to-dos, and not on the meaning behind the lists (Happy Birthday, Jesus!). I hope these Peace Prescriptions will help you uncover some calm while you reflect on the reason for the season.
1. PRAYER – Anne Lamott speaks of her simple prayers, offered up with frequency: Help. Thanks. Wow. Praying does not have to be an elaborate event. I find that when my three year old has pushed my impatience button or a work event is causing me angst, if I just close my eyes and send up a HELP PLEASE message, I can create a pause in the heightened emotion. This allows the Spirit the space to move and work in me.
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Spirit + Space = Solace
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Philippians 4:6-7 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
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Of course, not every prayer need be one of help or urgency. Which leads us to…
2. GRATITUDE - To prevent extra stress in the first place, it is wise to remember your blessings. Think on the things for which you are thankful. Consider where you are already abundant. For so many of us, need is not a verb used in its truest form. We are with shelter, clean water, food, companionship, entertainment and so. much. more.
When situations get you frazzled, imagine having to sleep about outside above a metro grate to get the heat from the rising steam. I see this with frequency in the winter here in DC: homeless men and women taking what they can, where they can.
Several times I have seen the same mother and her two children asking for money near Dupont Circle. One time, her oldest – about four years old – was breast feeding while she sat on the sidewalk. I thought “What if that is his only food today?”
“What if she has to provide milk for both her children because they can’t get anything else?” I gave her money that day. My heart was broken for her.
My daughter does not know hunger. For that and so much more, I am so very grateful. When I begin to feel petulant because a situation is less than ideal, I try to push back any sense of entitlement with gratitude.
There but for the grace of God go I.
Read more at http://www.perfectpeaceyoga.org/2013/12/15/top-five-peace-prescriptions/