When Serenity is found in the middle of war torn Afghanistan, then there is certainly hope for the rest of us. Author, E. D. Johnson discovered the key to serenity amidst people living in the bombed out streets of Afghanistan. Amidst suicide bombers and hulls of burned out military vehicles, Johnson turned to Reinhold Niebuhr's world-famous Serenity Prayer to find truly practical and soulful tranquility. This book serves as a guide to developing a life of personal peace regardless of one's swirling circumstances. Utilizing each line of the Serenity Prayer, Johnson inspires readers to embrace the practice of daily meditation and thereby achieve the Acceptance, Courage and Wisdom that lead to serene living.

Serenity

30 Days to Rebalance Mind-Body-SpiritBy E.D. Johnson

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 E.D. Johnson
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-1599-2

Contents

FOREWARD.....................................................ixPREFACE......................................................xiACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................xvDAY 1 WHAT IS SERENITY?.....................................1DAY 2 CULTIVATE SILENCE & SERENITY..........................3DAY 3 OFFER SERENITY AS A GIFT..............................5DAY 4 PERSONAL SERENITY.....................................7DAY 5 SERENITY IN LOSS......................................9DAY 6 SERENITY IN DECISION MAKING...........................11DAY 7 SERENTIY BREAKING PROCRASTINATION.....................13DAY 8 SERENITY IN FELLOWSHIP................................15DAY 9 A HOME OF SERENITY....................................17DAY 10 SERENITY WABI SABI STYLE..............................19DAY 11 THE SCENT OF SERENITY.................................21DAY 12 SERENITY IN READING...................................23DAY 13 AWAKENING SERENITY....................................25DAY 14 SAFTEY IN SERENITY....................................27DAY 15 A PRESENCE OF SERENITY................................29DAY 16 SHARING SERENITY WITH FAMILY..........................31DAY 17 SERENITY AND SELF-DISCOVERY...........................33DAY 18 SERENITY AND BALANCE..................................35DAY 19 LIFE ENRICHING SERENITY...............................37DAY 20 SERENITY FAMILY-STYLE.................................39DAY 21 SERENITY AND THE WORLD-FAMILY.........................41DAY 22 SERENITY SERENDIPITY & DISCOVERY......................43DAY 23 SERENITY AND POSITION.................................45DAY 24 SERENITY & MUSIC......................................47DAY 25 SERENITY & PROSPERITY.................................49DAY 26 SERENITY & HEALTH PART I..............................51DAY 27 SERENITY & HEALTH PART II.............................53DAY 28 SERENITY PALPABLE & POWERFUL..........................55DAY 29 SERENITY FOR COMMON SENSE.............................57DAY 30 SERENITY & HUMOR......................................59

Chapter One

SECTION 1 ~ DAY 1 ~

Peace is the indomitable response to life's every challenge. Peace does not speak-it radiates. ~ Sri Chinmoy~

WHAT IS SERENITY?

Serenity is the ability to accept with equanimity whatever situation Life brings. Serenity is the ability to accept challenges as they arise. Serenity is working with a cool and calm composure under stress.

Synonymous with peace of mind, tranquility, calmness, a cool attitude, poise, silence, relaxed, being mellow, unruffled and harmonious, Serenity is the very opposite of fear, insecurity, turmoil, chaos, hustle-bustle, anxiety, stress and war.

FEELING, REFLECTING ON & OFFERING SERENITY

* Look around you at work. What can you do to contribute positively to making it a more Serene place to work in-such as making time for peaceful five-minute meditation breaks for yourself and the team? * What can you do to promote a more Serene community-give free meditation classes to kids after school, in assisted living situations and your local library? * What can your family do to secure a Serene home environment upon which to build confidence, civility and compassion for self and others?

~ DAY 2 ~

Be a listener only, keep within yourself, and endeavor to establish within yourself a habit of silence. I think one travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more. To every obstacle, oppose patience, perseverance, and soothing language. A firm, but quiet opposition will be the most likely to succeed. We often repent of what we have said, but never of that which we have not. ~ Thomas Jefferson, Light and Liberty~

HOW DO WE CULTIVATE SILENCE & SERENITY?

If you're finding it hard to do something positive for yourself or cultivate a good habit, look for the result or rewards that bless your efforts.

Recall the moments when you became aware of a deep silence while hiking, walking on a beach, or running a marathon. You were completely unaware of how you reached this state of peaceful harmony within yourself and with your surroundings.

You can re-capture Serenity by making a conscious effort-by making time for meditation. The fruits of your meditation efforts will sweetly encourage you to set aside a few moments each day to enhance the quality of your life.

GETTING STARTED WITH LEARNING TO MEDITATE

1) First, find a quiet spot-at home, the workplace or even in your car.

2) Sit up straight, but not ramrod stiff. Fold your hands loosely and place them on your lap. Have your eyes half-closed, by being symbolically aware on the outer plane even as you're getting ready to connect with your inner space.

3) Breathe in slowly and deeply. Inhale, counting "one, two" and feeling this new energy filling up every pore of your being, "three, four." Exhale the obverse; of stale carbon dioxide, counting, "five, six." Since we're uniquely different as individuals, count at your own pace and not someone else's.

4) Before you know it, you'll have consciously emptied your vessel of stale energy and become reinvigorated with dynamic new energy. That's how we welcome meditation as a lifelong friend-a friend who does not make demands but gifts us with Serenity and the inner strength to prevail over all odds.

~ DAY 3 ~

Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace. ~ Reinhold Niebuhr

HOW TO OFFER SERENITY AS A GIFT?

You're performing a private service, and a very practical one, too, when offering good will to humanity. It's nothing short of performing a social miracle to sow the seeds of Serenity by thinking good thoughts and offering good intentions with every action you undertake-at home, at work and while hanging out with others.

This is a great example of putting meditation to work when you're able to uplift the emotions, feelings and aspirations of those around you in positive ways.

~ DAY 4 ~

I had found a kind of Serenity, a new maturity ... I didn't feel better or stronger than anyone else, but it seemed no longer important whether everyone loved me or not. More important was for me to love them. Feeling that way turns your whole life around; living becomes the act of giving. Beverly Sills

WHY IS SERENITY PERSONAL ENRICHMENT?

When you meditate every morning before leaving for work, you bring along the inner gems of Serenity to the outer world. Your serene demeanor and thoughts will energize and fulfill the environment with positive aspirations to do well, by doing good.

The Serenity that you bring to the outer world through your sincere prayers and meditations are powerful and long lasting. When you are peaceful and calm amidst the turmoil of earthly living, you enrich both your and other people's lives. The peaceful harmony you exude subtly transforms and...