“Chaotic people often have chaotic lives, and I think they create that. But if you try and have an inner peace and a positive attitude, I think you attract that.” — Imelda Staunton
On Monday this week, I went for my evening swim and as always I had this feeling of peace, being almost alone, at least not having anyone in my closer proximity. This is what inspired today’s letter.
We all probably know that feeling of restlessness and unease, perhaps even anxiety. I must admit that for the past few years finding my inner peace has become more and more challenging. There are, of course, several reasons for this and perhaps you can relate to one or the other:
I am a rather energetic person - one of my best friends lovingly calls me a tsunami. My mind rarely rests and it can be a struggle at times.
My eyes are wide open and I am curious about all that is happening around me - not helpful when trying to find inner peace, especially nowadays.
My need to understand things that happen around me - my moral compass being very much challenged lately - and that’s an understatement. The world appears completely upside down to me. Good is evil, evil is good! Right is wrong and wrong is right. And I sometimes feel that I cannot keep up.
The speed at which things seem to be unnaturally evolving, enhanced by social media and the loss of values, makes it often difficult for me to keep up - which I honestly try to avoid where I can to not be sucked up into this toxic development, yet it cannot be avoided completely.
The open attack on our freedom, our civil rights, and our freedom of speech does bring me despair at times but it also strengthens my resolve to fight.
“You do indeed have a past, but not now! And, yes, you have a future, but not now! You can consume your now with thoughts of 'then' and 'maybe,' but that will keep you from the inner peace you could experience.” — Wayne Dyer
You may be able to associate with one or more of the above and probably have your own very personal reasons why you sometimes struggle to find inner peace and if not I truly envy you.
I always try to find things that help me get back into that state of inner peace without having to numb myself - which would be the easy way out.
I don’t do drugs, I don’t or extremely rarely drink alcohol, so these things are already completely out of the picture. In my opinion, they don’t work anyway as they just enhance any kind of anxiety you may feel and perhaps manage to temporarily numb that restlessness.
So what can you do to find inner peace or at least a semblance of such?
My very first and very personal go-to is something very simple - it’s nature. Now I am very lucky to be living in a place of stunning beauty when it comes to nature - probably the only reason I can still bear living in Germany. I have the privilege to live where many others come for their holiday. So when I walk out the door I can enjoy my surroundings, the trees, the small paths, and of course the beautiful lake. No matter if I walk, run, take the bike, or go for a swim, it is always soothing for the mind and the soul. It is what tends to ground me and show me what is truly important.
What also helps is having your tribe around you that shows you that you are not alone with your thoughts and worries. But also knowing there are others with whom you are connected in spirit that share your beliefs, even if you do not know them personally - I believe some call this the karass.
Poetry is something that brings peace to my mind and soul. When I read the beautiful words of people - often they are long gone - and I feel that I understand and can relate to them - brings solace.
Music, for me, is another part of my life that brings me inner peace or at least tremendous joy. There is rarely a day I do not listen to music. Sometimes it can be just one piece that I play on repeat for days, simply because it speaks to me. At other times I can listen to random music and enjoy discovering something new.
Meditation is also something that has helped me to find inner peace for years now. I have been doing it so long now that I can literally meditate anywhere and anytime - bliss!
“If there's no inner peace, people can't give it to you. The husband can't give it to you. Your children can't give it to you. You have to give it to you.” — Linda Evans
Sometimes it helps to distract your mind a little and for me, books are the best possible tool. There is one book though that I have never read and know little about. So, I made the decision a few days ago to change that. That book is the Bible. For those of you that have been following me for a while now know that I am not a religious person albeit a very spiritual one. I realised that I know very little about this book, its teachings, or its wisdom and was inspired by the book ANCIENT WISDOM FOR MODERN TIMES by Reuben J. Rose, which I mentioned in an earlier Letter, to find out more. As I also like challenges I decided to read it within a year and I started on September 9th, reading a bit every day, making notes, and dwelling on what I read. So far I am enjoying it very much and it actually does give me inner peace.
While writing this I also realise that something that at times takes the inner peace from me also brings me inner peace - I know it sounds contradictory at first. I am referring to the open attack on our freedom, our civil rights, and our freedom of speech. My resolve and conviction that this is absolutely wrong and that I will do everything to fight against it actually brings me inner peace and even joy. I am staying true to myself and there is probably nothing more satisfying than being able to say and feel that.
“For me, it is essential to have the inner peace and serenity of prayer in order to listen to the silence of God, which speaks to us, in our personal life and the history of our times, of the power of love.” — Adolfo Perez Esquivel
🎶My Song of the Week
I love it when Spotify suggests new music to me and this is one I really like sharing with you: Fine Anyway by Roger Fakhr
For more good music, go to this Spotify playlist where you can find all the songs from the Change & Evolve Letters!
📚My Poem of the Week
Is a Sonnet by Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503–1542)
I Find no Peace
I find no peace, and all my war is done. I fear and hope. I burn and freeze like ice. I fly above the wind, yet can I not arise; And nought I have, and all the world I seize on. That loseth nor locketh holdeth me in prison And holdeth me not—yet can I scape no wise— Nor letteth me live nor die at my device, And yet of death it giveth me occasion. Without eyen I see, and without tongue I plain. I desire to perish, and yet I ask health. I love another, and thus I hate myself. I feed me in sorrow and laugh in all my pain; Likewise displeaseth me both life and death, And my delight is causer of this strife.
👀Impressions
This view gives me inner peace every time, especially in the evening…
Where do you struggle to find inner peace? What is your ‚go-to‘ when you need to find inner peace?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments or send me a message. I very much enjoy hearing from you.
Wishing you a grand weekend.
Yours
Tanja 🤗
Cooking and running for me. whilst reading books and playing bass are not working at the moment.