In the world today, there is a lot to process, there is a lot to become. Because of this, it is easy to get overwhelmed and consumed with a lot of things. With mounting pressures to figure things out in the now, it can be bothersome to discover that, sometimes we can’t have it all figured out. We can only live for the now, for anticipation of a positive tomorrow. How we are now will determine a lot of what will be tomorrow so it is necessary to journey in an awareness of the present. But being aware and present is not enough in the midst of the trials and troubles of today. We must strive to give and surrender ourselves to freedom from control. Perhaps, some things are just to occur naturally without us intruding, and other things birth their own way, in due time. By doing this, we are free to flow and explore and truly become.
— Equanimity.
Creating the life we love and tending to who we eventually want to become will require the balance of peace, rest and evenness of mind. It is common to say that we are in a world where things are not equal and life is not balanced. Perhaps there may be no such thing as balance, only a leverage of it, for one’s mental wellness or a conclusive approach towards it in order to birth one’s own true way of living that works. You may not be able to have it all figured out and that’s fine, but you can have rest knowing that you are moving, growing and on your way. On your own journey. The power of equanimity will require practice, especially in an uncertain world.
Equanimity depicts mental calmness and stability, a restful composure and tranquility of the mind. Some form of balanced emotional state, usually rooted in faith. It is a reserve undisturbed by whatever is thrown at it. Imagine throwing dirt in an ocean, only to have it washed ashore; the ocean has a way of cleansing itself from debris, unbothered and journeying in its own wave. Having the power of equanimity is like journeying like the ocean, even in the midst of difficult situations, it is constantly moving, cleansing itself and remaining unperturbed. It is not to say things are not always there to be worried about, instead, while they are there, you choose to journey in calm or evenness of the mind regardless.
As we navigate this world, equanimity will help you stay grounded. It will help us see inside of ourselves, and outside of it as well, without reactivity or consuming, but as a witness in observance or awareness.
︳A state of tranquility
This is where the inner mind is guarded, your energies are serving what matters, valuable and important. A true state of living in power. The stronghold of external forces, society’s views or judgements, validations or approval are broken and the inner power is made to recharge positively for good, and be fully lived. It is a state of coming to terms with reality around us, and journeying in acceptance of that reality while holding your own personal space and flowing in your personal power.
The experience of journeying in the abode of tranquility is a beautiful thing to keep, and I am aware this can also occur through living faith and the peace of God; even in between the issues of life. He keeps our heart and mind through him, in understanding and good will. Journeying through this state will involve building up that requires:
- Looking at things by faith, and not just by what you see: sometimes, most things that trouble us today will be no more tomorrow. It is true that life comes with its own troubles but it is also true that these troubles will always be there. We can choose to accept and walk in faith while tending to what we need to get done or otherwise which may not serve us at all.
- Releasing overwhelm or negativity: instead of fueling the overwhelm or negativity, replace it with something better, that’s worth the energy.
- Taking conscious, deliberate effort: you can always choose your response to things as they occur. By being aware, you can decide to deliberately respond, in ways that builds you up, than reactive, that can leave you feeling worse off. Take time to study what trips you off, or get you so worked up in life. Find ways to improve your responses to such.
— How To Journey in Equanimity.
- Practicing Mindfulness: There is a lot that some of us may not be fully aware of until we journey the other way we are unfamiliar with. There is a need to quiet the mind in this busy world so we can truly hear and listen to what’s really inside our hearts; the true place of our being. Though going towards the unknown can be scary, it is the ultimate way to rid oneself of being stuck or too comfortable with what’s already known. Journeying in equanimity will require you to nurture how to be present for the now, and accepting the things that you cannot control. This opens a gateway for you to see things as they truly are and surrender to the flow for what can later be. Practicing mindfulness, help you tend more to yourself, thereby giving room to journey on your path, without taking in other people’s paths, situations or thinking as your own.
- Providing/Offering Positive Encouragement: To nurture a calm reserve in the midst of challenges, you must learn to adopt a positive orientation to things or situations as it occurs around you. It can be such a discouraging world to live in when things don’t go our way. But after practicing mindfulness for the now, you can learn to develop words via affirmations and/or meditations that can help you through your journey. The truth is, these things that we worry about may not go away as soon as it emerges, but we can develop a positive mental energy that shifts our mindset and thinking. In this process, your energies are converted to the positive and you can now give it to what truly matters.
- Embracing Gratitude: How many things did we pray for that are already answered? What about dreams or goals we never thought about but showed up and are achieved? By embracing gratitude, we are appreciative of the things that has been and things that are yet to be.
- Nurturing Perspective and Care: It is also true that there is a lot to worry about and figure out. But we cannot continually live on edge, afraid of what there is or what would become. We cannot always control what is thought of us, we cannot always determine what decisions are the utmost best. Instead, for every negative thought, expression, or action, we can challenge or replace it with a positive one. Nurturing your perspective is eliminating intrusive thoughts or actions as they occur, without letting it take root or space within or around you. It will take practice to remain calm and unperturbed by things happening around you. And in order to achieve this, it would also mean you have to take care of yourself, mentally and physically. Find and build your own care routines that works for you, to promote your inner self.
– Also, nurturing care will involve taking yourself out of the picture sometimes, and embracing others for who they are, shifting our mindsets to care for others, as every one has their own story and we have little or no idea of what goes on in their lives. It means providing an avenue to cater for others as you would cater for yourself or want others to cater for you. Think good thoughts towards others and yourself, as against embracing negative perspectives.
Journeying in equanimity will help you see the world with quiet eyes. It provides an avenue of rest and acceptance, even in action. And more importantly, it will help you leverage balance to things around you. It is a journey in peace towards where you truly need to be, instead of fixating on things you cannot control.
May we embrace the journey and power to our inner peace and sovereignty through living faith.
—
E.
