by Ursula Mitchell

In our daily life, we can often feel overwhelmed by circumstances that seem beyond our control. Often, we can experience the feeling that situations are controlling us and we, like helpless pawns, have no power over our life. The result being that we feel engulfed by stress and end up under nourished in regards to our daily requirements of happiness and peace of mind. I believe we can increase our experiences of peace and harmony by remembering to employ three simple techniques in our daily life.

The first step towards increasing peace of mind is to remember that no matter what conflicting signals you may be receiving, you are in control of your life. Your destiny is not a matter of chance but, in truth, a matter of choice. When you find yourself feeling powerless, stop for a moment and reflect upon the undeniable truth that you do hold the reins in regards to your life. Think about what problems you are facing that could be eradicated from your life if you only took decisive action. Remember, the Lord is all-powerful and benevolent. Make a commitment to yourself that you will have the strength and faith to change whatever in your life needs changing. Realize you are a powerhouse and with God’s will, all things are possible.

The next step towards increasing peace of mind is to always relish in moments of happiness whenever possible. If you see a beautiful bed of roses, don’t just rush off to your next demanding errand. Pause a moment and “stop and smell the roses.” Take time to enjoy nature’s beauty, the carefree joy exhibited by playing children, or the soothing melody sung by a bird in a neighbor’s tree. In Las Vegas, we are blessed with many a beautiful sunset. The next time one catches your eye, pause a moment, relax every muscle, take a few slow, deep breathes and just feel the calming effect of reflecting upon the beauty. If you remember to bask in such moments of bliss on a daily basis, you will find yourself feeling spiritually and emotionally refueled.

The third way to increase peace of mind and feeling of well-being, is to utilize deep relaxation techniques of meditation. Though there are various forms of advanced techniques, you do not have to be an expert to enjoy the benefits of simplified meditation. For me, I first put on some relaxing music, such as classical piano pieces by Claude Debussey or an environmental recording of mountain stream sounds enhanced with music. Next, I sit in a chair with a straight back, such as a dining table chair. At times I even sit on the floor cross-legged, keeping my spine as straight as I can without straining. I then relax my arms and place my hands on my thighs with palms face up.

Once in this position, I close my eyes and proceed to become aware of the slow, rhythmic rise and fall of my breathing. Mentally I focus on nothing except my breathing and the melodic qualities of the music selected. If worries enter the mind, I ignore them and let all concerns drift away as I focus on feeling harmonious and happy.

During meditation you may want to visualize a beautiful image such as a field of wild flowers, a seascape, or imagine yourself riding in a hot air balloon over green pastures dappled by playful sheep or grazing cows. Whatever you visualize, let it be appealing to you and your senses. To end your meditation, slowly open your eyes and allow your serene feelings to remain with you as you resume your daily schedule.