Serenity ... a State of Mind

Look up ‘serenity’ on Wikipedia and you will find a musical band, a movie, a prayer and countless other references. Dictionary.com defines serenity as “the state or quality of being serene, calm, or tranquil; sereneness.”

I think serenity is a state of mind. The ingredients for tranquility may vary from one individual to another. For me, serenity comes when I allow myself to be in the moment. Serenity abounds at those special times when the ingredients for peace come together in just the right combination - allowing my multi-tasking to halt, my brain to slow and my spirit to absorb the full experience. Ahhhhhhhhhhh ….

This summer, serenity came to me at a northern Ontario, Canada summer home. We are blessed to have access to a number of such homes, through family and friends. There is something so placid about observing land meet water – at the exact moment the sun is escaping into the landscape. The remaining sprinkles of sunshine dance across the water, in a hypnotic rhythm I find impossible to resist. This song of nature creates a warm glow in my spirit. It takes me home to what I really value in life.

Once the sun has retired for the evening, if the clouds align in just the right pattern, the sky transforms into warm shades of the sunny day we reflect upon. I sit on a swing, viewing this water-painting nature has supplied, while playing back the unforgettable moments of the day; sandcastles with beloved children, oxygen delivering conversation with inspiring women, and delicious fruits and vegetables consumed after they flourished under the care of fellow Canadians, in our cherished land.

If I allow myself to be quiet enough to find serenity, it appears frequently throughout my days. For me, the combination of people I love, the land I adore and the blessings from nature all pool together to push the day-to-day grind aside and remind me I am but a grain of sand in time. This is where I find my own serenity state of mind.

How do you find your serenity?

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