MZD - Ep 89 Cultivating Tranquility

“Work when there is work to do.  Rest when you are tired.  One thing done in peace will most likely be better than ten things done in panic…. I am not a hero if I deny rest; I am only tired.” ~ Susan McHenry

So how are you holding up this holiday season?

Are you tired of being told there’s only so many shopping days until Christmas?

Maybe the stress of finances, (or lack thereof), the burden of work deadlines and family obligations are wearing you down.  Finding the “perfect” gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list can be so stressful.

Or even worse, for many the holidays can be a very depressing time.  Health struggles, past memories, and the sadness of loss of relationships and loved ones make it especially hard to endure when everyone else around you seems so happy, alive and in love.

What is so sad is, this is supposed to be the season of “Peace on Earth and good will toward all”, a time of “Joy to the World”, and at times it feels like anything but.

We all long for a place we can retreat to from time to time for peace and quiet; a retreat for relaxation and tranquility.  As the stresses of life take their toll on us, body, mind and spirit, it becomes more important than ever to take time for ourselves to just breathe and “Be”.  Some call this meditation.  Others call it introspection, reflection or “quiet time”.

Whatever you call it, the good news is you can take this gift, this place of inner calm and tranquility with you wherever you go.

I know it’s a drastic statement, but it’s true!  Studies show that only a few minutes a day spent in mindful meditation, and in Nature can lower your blood pressure, significantly reduce your stress levels, elevate your mood and outlook on life, improve your cognitive functioning, and add years to your life.

We have distanced ourselves from nature – the smell of wildflowers sage and pine, the feel of natural grass between our toes, and the texture of bark and sand and dirt, the scent of freshly fallen rain, the gentle gurgle of flowing forest streams, and the breath of wind through the trees.  We’ve lost touch with the natural world all around us; the calm azure sky filled with white dreamy clouds overhead.  We’ve lost touch with our truer, deeper selves found in Nature and reflection; cutting off our ties to the Original Source of joy, security, tranquility and well-being.

As we have been learning to cultivate our garden of well-being, perhaps one of the most important, if not the most important stae of being for our health, and well-being is that of Tranquility.

Being able to come away and just detox from stress on a regular basis could be the difference between a long and healthy, happy life, and that of a shorter one filled with sickness, sorrow and disease. So in today's meditation let's seek to cultivate Tranquility.

...Need a little more downtime to cope with and recover from Holiday stress? Stick around after the end of today's show for a few more minutes of quiet reflection for another song from "A Simple Christmas".