Serenity
It takes a particular sort of person to stay calm in the face of adversity. My husband Colin and I were sailing our 40ft yacht at night through a shipping channel off the Brisbane coast. There were 24 container ships to navigate our way through in the pitch black. Finding a calm mindset was essential here is what I did…
At first I was overwhelmed with panic. The feeling of fear was so immense.
The massive vessels were lit up like Christmas trees; in the dark you could not see the bow from the stern.
We could hear the call signals on the radio, but the answering ships radio voices were in Russian, Indonesian, and Swedish.
The Swedish voices were just about understandable.
It was not possible for one of us to sit on the radio and listen all the time as we both needed to be up on deck on watch. Nor could we motor on autopilot as the ships were on the move. When these massive vessels move they move fast. Whilst we could see them on the radar they could not contact us.
It was a horrendous night and it took 3 hours to get through the fleet.
My panic stopped once I had a plan.
Here’s the foolproof plan.
- Stop and think.
- Look at the options.
- Decide on the action you are going to take.
- Stick to the plan.
- Have a plan B to move on to if necessary.
- Be prepared to abandon ship and be ready to do so.
- Keep calm and carry out your plans.
- Once you have control follow the plan.
- Breath from the stomach not the heart as this puts less stress on the body.
- See yourself completing the ordeal and winning.
This worked, then I realised we all do this in business life, in home situations and at times when you have to make important decisions. We plan.
I now use my 10-step plan to stop panic and stay calm at all times.
I have added here an article on Serenity by James Allen.
Serenity by James Allen
I print this out and read it frequently. Sometimes when under stress I read it hourly. It works.
Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought.
A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought-evolved being. For such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as he develops a right understanding, and sees ever more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect, he ceases to fuss, fume, worry, and grieve. He remains poised, steadfast, and serene.
The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others. And they, in turn reverence his spiritual strength. They feel that they can learn from him and rely upon him. The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, and his power for good. Even the ordinary trader will find his business prosperity increase as he develops a greater self-control and equanimity, for people will always prefer to deal with a man whose demeanour is equitable.
The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm. Who does not love a tranquil heart, a sweet-tempered, balanced life? It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to those who possess these blessings, for they are always serene and calm.
That exquisite poise of character that we call serenity is the last lesson of culture. It is the flowering of life, the fruitage of the soul. It is precious as wisdom--more desirable than fine gold. How insignificant mere money – seeking looks in comparison with a serene life. A life that dwells in the ocean of truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of the tempests, in the Eternal Calm!
How many people we know who sour their lives, who ruin all that is sweet and beautiful by explosive tempers, who destroy their poise of character and make bad blood! It is a question whether the great majority of people do not ruin their lives and mar their happiness by lack of self-control. How few people we meet in life who are well balanced, who have that exquisite poise which is characteristic of the finished character!
Yes, humanity surges with uncontrolled passion, is tumultuous with ungoverned grief, is blown about by anxiety and doubt. Only the wise man, only he whose thoughts are controlled and purified, makes the winds and the storms of the soul obey him.
Tempest-tossed souls, wherever you may be, under whatever conditions you may live, know this: In the ocean of life the isles of blessedness are smiling and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming. Keep your hands firmly upon the helm of thought.
In the core of your soul reclines the commanding Master; He does but sleep; wake Him. Self-control is strength.
Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power.
Say unto your heart, “Peace. Be still!”
