I may have mentioned in a previous post the six most important keys to personal peace that I have discovered throughout my lifetime. These discoveries were made after having bumbled relationships and challenging circumstances, which resulted in years of unnecessary suffering. In retrospect; however, I suppose the suffering was necessary in order for me to reach that place of clarity. Those agonizing years lasted only for as long as it took me to reach understanding, which in terms of eternity, were micro-years. Whenever we are suspended in a period of gloom it is like being stranded in a rough sea with gigantic waves barreling after us, ready to swallow us up and crash us onto the shore. It can feel as though we are utterly helpless over the events in our lives.
The keys that I will expound on are nothing new. Ancient sages and wise men and women have discovered and taught these same truths for centuries. Their words fall on mostly deaf ears because until a sufferer realizes that her suffering is optional, she will not be able to comprehend. I give you only six simple words that we all have heard, but until the meanings are embodied, they are merely words. The first word is gratitude, which must be felt and not merely spoken. If you add a drop of water at a time to a glass that is already full, it begins to overflow. Would you prefer that your glass overflowed with grace, joy, and abundance – or with anger, hatred, and violence? It all depends upon the nature of the drops you are adding.
The second key is kindness. Kindness is the golden rule. How often do we treat others (even our enemies!) as we wish to be treated? Do we lower ourselves to their level – or do we rise above them, towards the light? Do we curse them – or do we pray for them?
The third key is service. Volunteering or intentionally doing something for another being (person, pet, wildlife, plants, the earth) enhances our own happiness. Giving of our time, our talent, and our resources does not deplete us; but invariably enriches every part of our own lives.
The fourth key is selflessness. Our ego is necessary because it provides our individuality; but it must be restrained. If we are consumed with only our own life, with our hopes and dreams, and our problems, we fail to see our connection with all other life. We must recognize our insignificance. We are only a link in an infinite chain of life. Our purpose in life is only our purpose as it relates to the whole. The world does not revolve around us. If we put ourselves on a pedestal the only step we take will result in a great fall.
The fifth key, acceptance, is often the most difficult. Until we accept our current circumstances, we cannot change them. We can rant, rave, and rail against them; but it is like feeding a monster. It will grow larger and become more vicious. We can tame the monster by withholding the negativity that feeds it. In time, it will disappear and something new will emerge.
The final word is generosity. Whenever it appears that you have nothing to give, you will find that sharing what you do have, multiplies in mysterious ways. It is strange, but true. The more we give – of love, kindness, money, joy – the more we have!
