LIVE LIFE AS IF IT WERE A WORK OF ART

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I would say to young people
a number of things, and I have only one minute.

I would say—let them remember
that there is a meaning beyond absurdity.

Let them be sure that every little deed counts,
that every word has power,

and that we do—everyone—our share
to redeem the world, in spite of all absurdities,
and all the frustrations, and all the disappointment.

And above all, remember that the meaning of life is to live life
as if it were a work of art.

—Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Calm by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

MINDFULNESS PRACTICE: SECURE AND GROUNDED

Quiet Observation Meditation

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The quiet observation meditation is intended to bring you back to where you are and what you have already, all round you. I use it when I want to remind myself just how much life has given me—to appreciate it in a new and greater way.

Sit or stand in a comfortable position that you can easily maintain. Begin by taking a deep breath in, and, as you breathe out, slowly close your eyes. Take a few regular breaths and focus on your breathing, how your body moves with each intake, how your muscles soften each time you exhale. When you are ready, gently let go of that focus. Take a few moments to listen. What do you hear? Is there a faint buzzing from machinery? Can you hear the wind outside? Are people talking nearby? Be careful to observe your surroundings without judgment. When you are ready, open your eyes and slowly examine what you can see. Notice the details of every object around you. Acknowledge the existence of each and every thing that you can see and hear. When you have finished, let go of that observational focus and mindfully resume your day.

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Calm by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

INFINITE PEACE TO YOU

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Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.

—Gaelic Blessing

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Calm by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

WE ARE ALL UNDER THE SAME SUN

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The sun shines down,
and its image reflects a thousand
different pots filled with water.

The reflections are many,
but they are each reflecting the same sun.

Similarly, when we come to know who we truly are,
we will see ourselves in all people.

—Amma

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Calm by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

FACING THE FUTURE

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Every journey begins
With but a small step.
And every day is a chance
For a new, small step
In the right direction.
Just follow your Heartsong.

—Mattie J. Stepanek

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Calm by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

LEARN THE ART OF PATIENCE

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Patience is waiting.
Not passively waiting.
That is laziness.
But to keep going
when the going is hard and slow—
that is patience.

—Leo Tolstoy

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Calm by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

JUST SURRENDER

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God, who is more than we can ever comprehend,
help us to seek you
and you alone.
Help us to stand before all that we could do
and seek what you would do,
and do that.
Lift from us our need to achieve all that we can be
and instead,
surrender to what you can be in us.
Give us ways to refrain from the busyness
that will put us on edge and off center;
give us today your peace.

—Unknown

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Calm by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

BASK IN THE WARMTH OF LOVE

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The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

—Numbers 6:24–26

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Calm by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

BE FILLED WITH DEEP AND ABIDING PEACE

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Deep peace I breathe into you,
O weariness, here:
O ache, here!
Deep peace, a soft white dove to you;
Deep peace, a quiet rain to you;
Deep peace, an ebbing wave to you!
Deep peace, red wind of the east from you;
Deep peace, grey wind of the west to you;
Deep peace, dark wind of the north from you;
Deep peace, blue wind of the south to you!
Deep peace, pure red of the flame to you;
Deep peace, pure white of the moon to you;
Deep peace, pure green of the grass to you;
Deep peace, pure brown of the earth to you;
Deep peace, pure grey of the dew to you,
Deep peace, pure blue of the sky to you!
Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.

— Fiona Macleod, 1895

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Calm by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

CREATE TRANQUILITY IN YOUR LIFE

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The more tranquil a man becomes,
the greater is his success,
his influence, his power for good.
Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.

—James Allen

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Calm by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.