My Friend, Serenity

I woke up in a wonderful mood. I have a sense of well-being that is just calmly buzzing in my mind and in my body, like a happy little bee flitting from one pretty flower to another. I just woke up. Nothing is particularly different about any of my circumstances. In short, this peacefulness has nothing to do with anything outside of myself, other than perhaps a very good night’s sleep.

I am choosing to write about this state of being, so that I can always remember how good this feels. We always remember the intense feelings, right? The high highs and the low lows stick out in our minds, like recipe cards with stains and finger prints, sticking out above the rest of the card catalog, reminding and begging our minds to pick up, and to look at those cards, and to study them, again and again and again. Those familiar recipes of our moody moods, are easy to grab on to, and to ruminate in, and to bake in and to stew in. The easy going moods don’t beg for attention. The pleasant moods quietly slip on in, like our feet sliding into familiar, warm, well-worn slippers, without even having to think about the motions. The relaxed, carefree states of our minds, are when we are most present with ourselves. . . . My friend, Serenity, never plays with Worry or Anger or Fear. Serenity never notices Ms. Inner Critic or Mr. Guilt Trip. Serenity can’t be bothered with What If. Serenity never plays with Blame and Resentment or Agitation. And Serenity knows to stay far, far away from Shame. Serenity will stay with us, as long as we want her to stay (honestly, she never really leaves, but sometimes the Others push her into the background). Serenity isn’t loud and boisterous. She never insists on being the center of attention. She doesn’t need for things to be “just a certain way” in order for her to be her happy, carefree self. Sometimes we think that we are bored when we are with Serenity, but when we really let ourselves be with her, and to sit with her, and to enjoy her company, and to baste in her peace and wisdom and sunlight, Serenity is nothing short of sublime.