Today let’s talk about serenity.
Have you ever wondered what that was and what it actually felt like?
When I first started dealing with the effects of growing up in an alcoholic family, it was just an abstract concept to me. I had grown up in the middle of such turbulence, and it was so familiar to live that way, that I thought chaos was normal. I learned that for me, serenity isn’t the absence of problems, it is the ability to be at peace as I work through the normal problems and issues of life. When I am on the right path and doing what is best for me, there is a joyful optimism that blossoms without regard to current events in my world. Its a whole new way of living, much more calm and peaceful than fighting against life, an amazing freedom to experience.
Have you ever struggled to feel serenity?
Photo Credit
The Microsoft Office Clip Art Collection
Dan L. Hays offers encouragement for adult children of alcoholics.
The podcasts of these episodes can be found at: Minute to Freedom
Recent Dan L. Hays Articles:
- Healing The Writer - A Personal Account of Overcoming PTSD - A Book By Dan Hays
- What Cell Phones Have Taken From Me
- We Just Don’t Talk About It - (Sponsored Video)
- Faith Comes Through Doubting
- Exploring The Artist's Way
yes – freedom – disconnectedness – patience – perseverance – I had a friend in Ottawa – moved to Thunder Bay and ran into him – moved to Toronto and ran into him – moved back to Ottawa – and ran into him – Andy always said to me – Heather – you can run but you can’t hide! Was your radio show recorded – can I hear it somehow?
Wow, that’s interesting, Heather – how you kept running into Andy. Sounds like there must have been something keeping the two of you connected. Yes, the show was recorded. This link should take you to it:
http://bit.ly/Q64y0r
But be aware – it was a long one! LOL – an hour and a half. Both co-hosts had such similar characteristics, that as I shared my story, it kept reminding them about things in their own story.
Dan
I grew up in an alcoholic home and I have chose to have nothing but freedom in my life – I walk away from most things that tie me down. The challenge I have had is enjoying myself – sometimes I feel guilty for having fun! As for Serenity – I find quiet spaces very unsettling – I have put myself in serene situations and learned to deal with it and also learned how to have fun – but should I have had to learn those things as an adult!
Great thoughts, Heather! I do understand walking away from things that tie you down! Sometimes for me, that translates to feeling unconnected, but given my roots, it’s a tradeoff I’ll accept. LOL – feel guilty for having fun! Laughing because I relate. I used to have a friend ask “what are you doing for fun?” and I’d get mad, because I couldn’t point to anything. And yes, why did I have to learn those things as an adult! I’ve said that many times.
Thanks so much for sharing Heather! 🙂
Yes – I know about the unconnected aspect of freedom – they say you pay a price for freedom – life really is (or can be) a trade-off. What about the over-achiever part! Are you an over-achiever – I sure am! Drives some people I know crazy and sometimes it even drives me crazy!
If I tried to claim I wasn’t an over-achiever, all my friends who heard that would roar with laughter! Oh yes – a drive to achieve and succeed – which has led to impatience when things don’t go at my pace! Learning patience has been one of my biggest challenges! One friend used to liken me to the little boy, and say “go ahead and hold your breath until you turn blue – it won’t help get you what you want, but you’re free to try.” She’d make me laugh because she was right! 🙂
Isn’t it amazing how many commonalities there are, Heather? I did a radio interview Thursday night, and that was a recurring theme for those who had grown up with some kind of dysfunction – the common characteristics!