Serenity Now

I was reading some thoughts my friends at Branches Counseling shared the other day, and they struck me as very powerful.
Serenity; Definition. (n.) The quality or state of being serene; clearness and calmness; quietness; stillness; peace.
Serenity is what we all strive for. It’s where happiness begins. But what gets in the way of our serenity?
Our automatic thought when someone hurts us is that we SHOULD “turn the other cheek” “forgive” or “try to understand.” Truth is…when we give of ourselves honestly and openly only to be hurt time and time again, those automatics turn to resentment, anger, and frustration. We, then, often feel guilt because we “shouldn’t” feel that way. Hurt people hurt back (even if its turned inwards) and the cycle continues. Vulnerable is scary. Pain is real. Stuffed feelings explode. Sometimes people hurt us. Sometimes they don’t. Wounds heal. Scars remind. The only people we can control are ourselves. The only pain we can truly heal is our own. Serenity comes from within. Time to start—-now.
Branches Counseling