Now and then, we find ourselves forced into a position where we need to stop what we’re doing and reflect. That isn’t easy for most of us, since we are constantly on the run, pushing forward to accomplish all we planned for that day or to prepare for the future. That is the crazy way most of us live today.

If you are like me, it takes time to unwind and relax enough to be still and know… who I am, what my role in life is, and what I need to change to reconnect with the best of myself.

Life is so fast-paced that we often complete our tasks unconsciously without a second thought, often to the point that we can’t remember whether we actually completed them. Our minds are so full that we need help organizing our priorities, whether it is handwritten notes or our phones reminding us to do even the simplest things, like “time to bend.” We have become slaves to technology, with emails or texts demanding our attention and input in some form, whether to buy something, grade a person or company’s performance, etc., or other requests that demand a response. We are flooded with someone wanting something from us, so that it becomes nearly impossible for us to become aware of anything other than the merry-go-round we are on.

However, when necessary, the Universe steps in and forces us to reevaluate where we are and what we are doing. That could be an illness, being fired from a job, losing someone dear to us, or other things that affect us and make us stop what we are doing to reflect or make changes. At the time, we may see these happenings as something solely negative. But the Universe knows that for us to live with any true happiness, it goes beyond the false living where things are important, where treating others with disrespect is allowed and even encouraged, and where using personal power for personal gain rather than what is best for all is the norm.

So, how does this be still and know work? We’ve all heard how important it is to meditate. We see ads encouraging us to buy and play special music or to follow specific words during our session. But music and words will never work unless we are in the state of receiving. What do I mean by that?

It is only when we calm our minds and still our thoughts that we can allow our inner thoughts to unscramble and reconnect to the energy from where we originated—the energy of pure love.

With this connection, we can take accountability for our shortcomings without passing the blame onto others, and create a desire to change what needs to be changed to reconnect with what we know to be true and good. It is a healing time. It is a connection to the self and the best part of who we are. It is that inner voice that speaks to us and helps us adjust our motives and our understanding of how best to live.

If you want to BE STILL AND KNOW, make time for yourself to sit quietly, close your eyes, let your thoughts go, and drift back to that inner knowing that you are protected and loved without restraint. Allow yourself to be open to receive what your voice and heart tell you. When you feel an inexplicable peace flow through you, you are connecting to your higher power, the same energy within us all. That sets you apart from allowing negativity to intrude and increases your awareness that we are all one. It is that knowing that will guide your behavior and actions from now on. You simply know you have found your truth by living in the highest energy of love.

Let’s face it!  We are experiencing a very messy, angry way of living today with so many societies throughout the world in conflict with each other as well as individuals at odds with others within each of those societies.  I would like to say that this upheaval is something new but, unfortunately, it’s not.

As humans we have a propensity to gather negativity like furious little cancer cells that race to make a small irritation one large mass of anger and upset causing us to destroy good thoughts and deeds.  We even get caught up in power struggles between what one person believes vs. another’s belief.  We stubbornly hold unto our own ideas without any willingness to look at a different perspective which doesn’t allow for a broadening of knowledge which can create a greater chance for resolution.

Right now the most notable happening in our country is the presidential election which has provided the opportunity for us to shout hate slogans; accuse people of doings without proof; encourage harm done to those who don’t agree with us; excuse behavior so unbecoming that it hinges on lunacy; lose the sense of propriety that different perspectives should require, and lay blame on anyone but ourselves for our discontent.

And we humans LOVE all of this upheaval!  People haven’t become this engaged in what is going on around them in quite a while and it’s mostly due to the dark, negativity that abounds.  And we keep demanding more and more of this low energy because it is easier to hate than to love, which makes us a very lazy society indeed.

It’s hard to fully escape what is happening due to all the social media in place today.  The most disheartening thing for me to have seen on television was an average-looking family (mom, dad and two small children) wearing tee shirts with a slogan of hate written across it standing together in a crowd of protesters raising their fists in anger and shouting their slogan for all to see and hear.  Spittle flying and loud shouting must have been what caused the little girl to look up at her mother in confusion.  Sensing her dismay, her mother reached down and lifted her arm to show her how to shake it in anger.  The child had no real idea of what was going on or why but unwittingly was being taught her first step in developing blameful anger toward anyone who did not agree with her.  Hate begetting hate.

How can anyone find peace amid all of what is going on in our country and the rest of the world?  I can only share with you how I have come to be successful in finding my own peace.

• First of all, I try to avoid social media or talk with another that has anything to do with the election for it is hard to dismiss that negative energy after entertaining it for it becomes like gum to a shoe.  It sticks around for a while.
• The second thing I do is meditate to remind myself to let go of the idea that it is my responsibility to try to change anyone’s mind toward my own beliefs, not allowing them their own perspective.  In other words, I need to allow each person their own path in thinking and doing.  My role is to keep the faith that all will work out as it should.
• The third thing that I do on a daily basis is to say my “gratitudes” – all the things I am grateful for which by doing so automatically raises my energy to the highest level of love.  When I am in that space of awareness of all the beauty that surrounds me and all the positive things in my life, I no longer have the desire to entertain anything less.  I know I am blessed no matter my circumstances.
• The last thing I do is repeat my mantra.  To be completely at peace with myself and all the craziness that surrounds me, I developed a mantra that I repeat each night before I go to bed – “I send love and blessings to each and every one.  May we know and feel the love of God and know in our hearts we are all connected – all one – and treat each other the way we want to be treated.”

There is so much stress for everyone living today that it becomes essential to do what is necessary to climb out of our rabbit holes and find our peace within.  For each of us that may be different.  I only know that my rituals have helped me and continue to do so as long as I stick with them. Perhaps they will bring you peace as well.

Ego says, “Once everything falls into place, I’ll feel peace.”  Spirit says, “Find your peace, then everything will fall into place.” – Marianne Williamson

“Peace comes within.  Do not seek it without.” – Gautama Buddha