Don’t forget to make room for inner peace and healing in your life when you make your New Year’s resolutions this year! Maybe the pace of last year was too hectic and left you exhausted. Perhaps you felt the year was full of anxiety. Whatever the reason, creating inner peace and healing needs to be a priority on your list this year.
Today, I looked at my new 2021 calendar and read a quote by the Australian-born novelist, Elizabeth von Arnim.
“There is nothing so absolutely bracing for the soul as the frequent turning of one’s back on duties.”
Elizabeth von Arnim, The Adventures of Elizabeth in Rügen
Find out more about Elizabeth von Arnim here.
I took a moment to take that quote in because the words “turning of one’s back on duties” puzzled me. As a mother of four and a teacher of 33 years, duty has been reveille.
It was the word bracing that put the quote in perspective. Bracing is fresh and invigorating. Now how about that? Turning away from duty often refreshes the soul. It is a breath of fresh air. There is nothing wrong about that!
How should I Refresh my soul?
To begin, it is my intent to help people heal from heart troubles and hardship. As we all work to find our way to healing and peace, I hope that my suggestions are met with an open heart and mind. In this post, I will examine three areas of “refreshing the soul” to find inner peace and healing: prayer, mindfulness meditation, and yoga.
Prayer
Firstly, prayer is an important spiritual path to healing and peace. People of all faiths have used prayer to seek help from God and access spiritual intervention.
There are several studies that focus on healing prayer for oneself or others. For instance, there is a practice of healing called the “laying of hands” used in healing prayer.
Nearly nine of 10 Americans have relied upon healing prayer at some point in their lives, praying for others even more than for themselves, according to a study by a Baylor University epidemiologist.
Baylor University. “Most Americans pray for healing; more than one-fourth have practiced ‘laying on of hands’: People pray for others’ health more than for their own, study finds.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 April 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160418095151.htm>.
Though there are studies that try to prove the power of prayer, they are considered deficient. It comes down to the faith of the one who prays to access comfort and healing.
Have you ever read a friend’s post on social media asking for prayer for a loved one? More than likely, you have answered your friend that you were praying for them. The simple act of reaching out and praying for one another is in itself a a healing and loving act. As a result, we reaffirm peace and healing in ourselves with love for our community.
Does it matter how we pray? There are both traditional and improvised prayers. Most importantly, the prayers that bring healing and peace often come from the heart.
Have another look at the post, Keeping A Positive Mindset Of Gratitude
Mindfulness Meditation
Secondly, mindfulness is a subset of meditation that has gained much popularity in recent years. Meditation is a technique through which one may consciously focus their thoughts to achieve a calm state of being.
Studies to date suggest that mindfulness affects many aspects of our psychological well-being—improving our mood, increasing positive emotions, and decreasing our anxiety, emotional reactivity, and job burnout.
Jill Suttie. “Five Ways Mindfulness Meditation Is Good for Your Health.” Greater Good, greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/five_ways_mindfulness_meditation_is_good_for_your_health.
I once worked at a school where mindfulness was a part of the regular professional in-services to help the teachers become more productive. Anyone who is a teacher will tell you that it is a demanding job, not for the faint-hearted. Students need your 150% attention and compassion, probably more than the knowledge of your field.
During the months that I subbed for the school’s music teacher, I participated in training which typically concluded with a mindfulness activity. During the exercise it was necessary to focus on something such as a your breath, sounds, or thoughts.
Over the weeks that I participated, I built up “muscles” that I didn’t know I had. By focusing on my goal I was able to have greater self-awareness. In addition, the activity itself was a act of self-care. It allowed me to pull together my emotional, mental, and physical strength before my long and busy day.
There are many books and websites devoted to mindfulness meditation. Therefore, it can be quite overwhelming to find a starting point.
I recommend the site headspace – Meditation for beginners here.
After that you explore the beginners page, check out headspace – Mindfulness page here.
Yoga
Finally, the practice of yoga may help to refresh the soul. It is a spiritual practice that is historically linked to meditation in ancient times. Yoga arrived in America over 100 years ago and became more popular in the last 50 years.
I have always been fascinated by mystique of yoga. Picture the peaceful candlelit rooms with soothing, tranquil music. Imagine flowing from one pose to the next as your shadow moves against the wall of the room. There is a calmness about this setting that is relaxing.
Studies have suggested possible benefits of yoga for several aspects of wellness, including stress management, mental/emotional health, promoting healthy eating/activity habits, sleep, and balance.
“Yoga: What You Need To Know.” Edited by Inna Belfer and David Shurtleff, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, May 2019, www.nccih.nih.gov/health/yoga-what-you-need-to-know#:~:text=What%20are%20the%20health%20benefits,back%20pain%20and%20neck%20pain.
Through much sweat and discipline, I learned that the harmony of that soothing environment reflects the balance of both the mind and body. Yoga creates that inner peace that radiates healing.
Like meditation, there are many videos and blogs out there. You can start by looking for beginner videos to guide your practice.
I began at a local yoga studio, Body Language Fitness and Yoga Center where teachers helped me develop my skill. Check your local listings to find a nearby yoga center.
Final Thoughts
Are you ready to refresh your soul? Remember that the key is to turn your back on your duties and put yourself first.
Turn off the stress of the outside world and tend to your needs as if your life depends on it. Find your way to peace and healing to begin to build a stronger you.
