Nobody can bring you peace but yourself. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Freedom is something that we hold dear.
Inner freedom and peace of mind are valuable and should be cherished just as much.
Those who can let go of the negative thoughts and focus on what is going well in their life will have more peace of mind.
Do you ever feel imprisoned by the thoughts that keep circulating in your mind?
We often worry, stress, and feel anxious because it’s easier to focus on the negative than to learn to look for the positive. The thing is, being nervous or worrying 24/7 about your situation doesn’t change it.
Your life is priceless. How many hours, months, and years do you want to spend worrying about something?
The video, The Time You Have Left (In Jelly Beans), puts our free time in a stark perspective. Do you want to spend the time you have left worrying, especially when worry doesn’t make things better?
You may be worried about your current situation, family, or child. Educate yourself on what you can do, take action, and see what happens.
Make time each day to let go and strive for inner freedom and peace.
Continually worrying and being anxious is not suitable for your health. It disrupts your sleep patterns. Too much worrying can lead to more frequent colds and, sometimes, more severe health issues.
We all want freedom and inner peace. You can find space from worry and discover inner peace if you set your mind to it.
Freedom is from within. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright
Here are some tips to get you started:
Even though you are worried, do your best to live in the now. When you feel pain and suffering, let go of being focused on the future or the past. Live as much as you can in the present.
Choose a time of the day to think about your concerns. Keep it far enough away from bedtime so that it will not keep you up at night. Focus on your fears for a set time, and then try to let them go for the rest of the day.
Write down your worries as the thought enters your mind. Save your list for the time you have allotted to consider the issues.
Keep a daily journal. Write three pages a day or set a timer for an allotted time. Write down whatever comes into your mind. Keep the pen moving while you are on the clock.
Take a walk. Use this time to enjoy nature. Ideas, solutions, and calming inner peace may come your way.
Have compassion for yourself. Setting aside time to treat yourself with love and kindness does help with change.
Focus on the positive. Make a conscious effort to look for the positive throughout the day. You can appreciate those positive moments. Write them down in your journal.
Keep a gratitude list. Write down three or even ten things you are grateful for each day. It will make you feel better. You will remember that some things are going right in your life.
Find a time during the day to reflect and be alone with your thoughts. It’s helpful to carve out time for reflection.
Suppose you have time, volunteer. By helping others, you not only support them but also fill yourself with good feelings.
Take one day at a time. Focus on getting through today and leave the future for tomorrow. Change begins with baby steps.
Count your blessings. No matter how stressed you feel right now, remind yourself of all you do have.
Do something fun. Treat yourself well. Love yourself as you want others to love you. You deserve it. Bring new things into your life. It will make you feel better.
Trust your instincts. You will hear many opinions and thoughts about what you should do to help your child change. Listen to what your body is telling you. The answers are inside if you listen.
Reach out to others in the same situation. Find someone who has walked in your shoes or a group with whom you can share your feelings. Don’t isolate. It isn’t healthy.
Take some time during the day to meditate, focusing on your breathing. Breathe in. Breathe out. You will feel calmer and more centered.
Embrace an uncertain future. Accept that the future is uncertain and that some things are beyond your control. Focus on what you can control.
Repeat your concerns out loud over and over in the mirror. Let your emotions run their course until you are ready to move on.
Remember, most of the things that you worry about the most never happen. The “what ifs” that cycle through your mind are usually far worse than reality. Let those go and focus on something positive.
Be generous with your smiles. When you laugh or smile, it makes you feel better. Even if you have to fake it, make an effort to smile. Reach out to others in loving kindness.
Exercise daily. Walk, run, take a class, or practice yoga. Find something that you enjoy. It will help you feel calmer and find inner peace.
Know that you are not alone. Many are suffering from the same issues you have. Knowing that others have the same problems helps you not feel so isolated.
Find your strength. When faced with adversity, you need to dig deep and find your strength. Most likely, you have more strength than you ever imagined. Knowing how much strength you have will help you have the self-confidence to handle whatever comes your way.
Educate yourself. You may feel weak and powerless because you are not informed. There are many resources available on substance use and addiction. When you educate yourself, you will have more knowledge, which will help you feel more in control.
When your child exhibits risky behavior, life may no longer make sense to you. You can encourage your child to change. You may not have all the answers, but you are doing your best.
Be comfortable with not knowing. You cannot predict the outcome of every situation. You can find freedom when you accept that you can help your child, yet you cannot do the work for them.
Understand your values. Realizing who you are and what you value most can give you the wisdom and insight to face any situation. When you are clear on your values, you will be better able to be a role model for your child.
Let go of expectations. You may have ideas about how you think your child’s life will unfold. When things take a significant detour, you need to accept what is to maintain your inner peace.
Don’t wallow in your misery. Let go of your story. Things may not be going as you planned. Don’t add more to the situation by submerging yourself in how miserable you feel. It does not make the pain go away. Your mind remains imprisoned in the negativity.
Know that there is hope. Every situation is temporary. Peaks and valleys fill our lives. You may be in the valley right now, but the peak may be just ahead. Hang on to hope for your child.
True freedom and the end of suffering is living in such a way as if you had completely chosen whatever you feel or experience at the moment. ~ Eckhart Tolle
Thank you for reading. You can get more tips in my email newsletter. Every other week, I share tips and ideas to help parents motivate their son or daughter to change if they are struggling with substance use. Join us by entering your email now.
