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7 Ways to Find Inner Stillness in the Midst of Chaos
By Steve Morris
Our society is one that consists of extreme information overload. TV, radio, advertisements, junk mail, e-mail and mobile phones all contribute to the information deluge we have been experiencing at a rapid rate over the last few decades. This increasing bombardment of sounds and images clutter our heads on a daily basis creating a multitude of distractions.The noise created from the constant flow of information traffic has lead most people to experience a sense of restlessness which results in feelings of agitation or frustration. Tempers are quick to spark and nerves easily frayed.
Our information dense society will continue to produce more information than we can take in. Unless we remove ourselves from society and move to a remote mountain away from modern amenities it is imperative to learn how to find inner stillness in the midst of this chaos.
It is possible to develop, within ourselves, the ability to switch into a sense of calmness and serenity. Calmness in any situation is an asset. From calmness any response is possible, from agitation there can only come further agitation leading to an outburst or sudden de-agitation which can be de-stabilizing. By remaining calm and stopping harmful, angry thoughts or actions you strengthen your ability to respond to situations uncolored by emotion, composed and compassionate.
To achieve this inner stillness you must learn to recognize what disrupts your stillness and equally importantly how to restore it. When you are able to identify disruptions, through mindfulness of action you will be able to restore your inner peace.
Here are seven behaviors that will help you attain a sense of calmness and recognize how to maintain this emotion.
1. Set aside time for solitude
This does not have to be a whole day, as much as you can spare, even twenty minutes is enough. Listen, smell, feel and dissolve into tranquility. Solitude helps us discipline and still our agitated mind. It is a chance to reflect and renew – enjoy the experience. Try and find places that you can recharge, rekindle and reconnect to your entire sensory suite – smelling, tasting, hearing and touching. Close your eyes and observe your surroundings in a new fuller way.
2. Calmness comes from being balanced
A good way to rebalance yourself and put things in perspective is to visit surroundings that nourish you. Physical spaces can energize us and refresh us. Find your sanctuary, preferably near where you live or work and go there to rebalance and renew. Each day find a new sanctuary that you can visit to rebalance and reinstate your sense of calm.
3. Simplify life
Reduce the number of possessions in your life. Possessions need to be cared for, protected, repaired, maintained, replaced, each possession further complicates life and distracts us. Learn to reduce these complications. It is most probable that you already have everything you need.
4. Reduce the ‘noise’ in your life
Learn to turn off the TV, phone, computer, radio and spend some time without noise. These modern conveniences distract and induce feelings of unrest.
5. Accept the criticism of others without defending yourself
Hear out fully negative feedback. Our programmed response is to defend ourselves from criticism, learn to suspend the temptation to defend our ego. Feedback is a marvelous gift of insight of ourselves if we are only able to see it and accept it as such. Thank the person who gave you the feedback and reflect on it and internalize it. In time ask yourself, “What have I learned about myself through this feedback?”.
6. Smile serenely when other people make mistakes - especially those that adversely affect you
After a mistake has been made it can only be remedied or transformed but not undone. Getting upset only further aggravates the situation and disturbs our inner stillness. We can best recover from a mistake by drawing on our inner strength. To do so we must be unperturbed by the effects of the initial mistake and its perceived originator. Demonstrate your inner strength by adopting a serene smile. Use your breathing control to maintain calmness.
7. Use mindful breathing as a way to calm your emotions
Used in the early stages of agitation breathing can calm and relax. When you start to feel stressed breathe in slowly and deliberately through your nostrils, relaxing your abdomen in as you completely fill and expand your lungs. Breathe out with equal force relaxing your belly. Establish a balanced rhythm between inhalations and exhalations, the slower the pace the greater the calming effect.
Putting into practice just a few of these behaviors on a regular basis will make real changes to your sense of inner stillness. Not only will this instill a sense of tranquility in your life it will make you able to deal with any crisis that arises with a calm, clear head.
Steve Morris is an internationally renowned leadership and personal development coach and author. He has over two decades of international consulting experience having personally advised thousands of leaders including corporate CEO’s, Heads of Civil Service, military generals and even Royalty! He is the author of several highly acclaimed personal and leadership development books and resources including Glorious Leadership!, Glorious Living!, Sowing the Seeds of Glorious Living!, as well as the fable, ‘The Boy who Climbed the Mountain’. Steve’s other talents include; international speaker, world-class facilitator, corporate board advisor, philanthropist and storyteller. Steve’s work has appeared in The Asian Wall Street Journal, The Straits Times, Asian Business, Asia Manager, Today's Manager, The Economic Bulletin, and Britain in Business. He has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows as a guest expert on the workplace and leadership in Asia. Steve runs the highly successful leadership consultancy, Steve Morris Associates out of Asia while making regular trips to the US for appearances and consulting assignments. Visit Steve at www.gloriousliving.org.
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© 2005. Steve Morris. All rights reserved.
© 2005. Steve Morris. All rights reserved.