Finding Inner Peace + Integrity... and Keeping Them, Too.
In. a world where were are constantly making demands on ourselves, and sometimes over-complicating things, it is difficult to feel a sense of peace with ourselves and our actions. It is easy to tell ourselves that we can endure, and do whatever it takes to “get the job done.” Sometimes we have to do the things we don’t want to do in order to get what we need, right?
We are perpetually teaching ourselves and our children to work hard and reap the benefits of our labors, later. What do we do, though, when all that hard work starts wearing us thin, physically, emotionally, and spiritually?
When we put good intentions out, we will also receive them, too. Perhaps, instead of always exerting maximum effort for material and physical rewards, should we give ourselves that inner space that allows our spirit to replenish itself, too?
I’m reminded of this quote by Roger Caras, whom I’ve always been a fan of. Whenever I feel my body and mind need the space to recoup and maintain sanity, I relate to this idea,
“Never continue in a job you don’t enjoy. If you’re happy in what you’re doing, you’ll like yourself, you’ll have inner peace. And if you have that, along with physical health, you’ll have more success than you could possibly have imagined.”
Believe it or not, it took me a long time to realize that my own personal integrity had a lot to do with my willingness to cut myself a break. It’s true, though, isn’t it? How do we expect the very walls that hold us together to stay standing if we keep pounding on them?
So maybe you can remind yourself, too... keep it simple, every once in a while. Take a break. Breathe in a little deeper at your next yoga class. Run that extra mile. Or just stay outside a little longer instead of doing those dishes. Who cares if it’s raining an not a perfect Spring day. You’ll only thank yourself later, and you’ll be better for it, too <3