My path to inner peace

♥ Live and let live. Shar from Mum on the Run wrote this in a comment yesterday and I realised it truly sums up my motto. Essentially I mind my own business. I like it.

♥ I don’t try to interpret others’ actions. It is all irrelevant. I cannot change others’ actions nor will I ever understand them. I don’t need to. All I need to focus on is how I react, that is within my control. I am responsible only for me, not for others.

♥ I live in the moment. I don’t worry about yesterday, or tomorrow. I don’t count my days away. I don’t wish away my moments. I just live in this one. Right now.

♥ I am kind. This one fails me at times when grumpy and resentful Peggy comes out to play. But when I realise I send her back to where she came from. Kindness feels best.

♥ I meditate. This can be in the form of a solitary walk or a quiet moment to just be. Deep breathing essential.

♥ Deep breathing. That there is my true saviour. It is free, accumulates the more you do it and is amazing in its healing power. I do it daily.

♥ Love what I have. I can dream all day about driving a shiny new car and living in a spacious abode, but the truth of the matter is I don’t. So, I love my rust bucket and I love my 2 bedroom home. And I love them with every inch of my being.  

♥ Appreciate my family. No explanation needed. Deep respect and adoration on all fronts.

♥ I don’t give others advice. This one is hard for me as I naturally want to help others. Fact of the matter is, unless someone asks for it they don’t want my advice. They won’t heed it. Others have to travel their own journey. I can hold their hand but I can’t walk it for them. Fact.

♥ I don’t judge others. Sure I find myself wondering about silly things like why drivers speed on the freeway or why someone doesn't sleep earlier if they're tired every day, but I remind myself quickly that it isn’t my problem. I never judge choices others make. It’s their life to live.

♥ If I don’t like something I don’t whinge, I just change it. If I cannot change it, I learn to like it. Negative energy spent on whinging is wasted energy. I personally like to keep my energy for all that is positive. Sure I have my off days, but you’ll rarely hear me whinge (this past winter is proof of that!).

♥ I pick my battles. There will always be conflict no matter how hard we try to avoid or not create it. I let things slide for the sake of my own sanity. I don't have to be right all of the time, I am not right all of the time. Anxiety that comes with needing that control all of the time is draining. I have learnt to just let some things go.

♥ I never, ever feel self-pity. Sure I have bad days, I am after all only human. But I always, ALWAYS remain grateful for what I have and what opportunities I have been presented with. There is always someone else doing it harder than me.

♥ I forgive. I forgive myself and I forgive others. For things I have carried guilt for I have forgiven myself, that is the first step to ridding yourself of suffering brought on by guilt. I have also apologised to retain a friendship, even if I feel I am not in the wrong.

♥ I don't live my life by ego. Ego does not rule in my head. Ego can blind us from enjoying other things around us as it focuses on itself and nothing but itself. Ego wants to rule and thrives on our own insecurities. Ego stops us from feeling compassion and genuine concern for others by focusing on itself instead. Ego is consuming. I threw out my ego years ago, and boy it felt good!

♥ I see the good in others. This comes naturally to me, I see and focus on the positives. If there are too many negative qualities then I usually tend to ignore them. Or keep my distance. For those that I choose to have in my life I see the good. I embrace the good.

♥ I surround myself with positive people. I have little time for negativity and find I distance myself from those that thrive on it. Too easy.

♥ I don't wish to have what others have. I want what I have.

Live and let live. Amen to that!