There Are Many Paths to Have Peace of Mind

I do not subscribe to the "one size fits all" set of self help gurus, positive thinking dogma, exercise addicts, robotic daily affirmations, etc. If even a few of these therapies and programs worked for every human being on the planet, guess what, we would have no more problems! They do work, for some people, in some situations, at certain times, in certain decades, for different reasons, etc. and that is great when it does work. If something is working for you, Bravo! Keep at it. But I think sometimes when these plans cease to work in every area, and on a consistent basis, the feeling of failure brings guilt to a lot of people, who look in the mirror everyday and say in exasperation:

"I keep trying, but I just don't like it. Oh, no, that's just me and my negative attitude, no pain, no gain; I MUST be positive, RIGHT NOW!"

"This self help book did wonders for Judy in Accounting, how come I can't even get past the first chapter?"

"The reason I am depressed this week is not because I lost my job, I can handle that, don't sweat the small stuff. It must be because I missed 2 days of affirmations last week, darn it, I need to be better at this affirmation thing!"

"If I don't do these leg exercises exactly how that 90 pound woman did it on the television program, I will never get down from a size 16 to a size 00 by next month."

The list could go on and on, but I am sure your get the picture. I too have had times where I have felt like I was not a "good normal human being" just because the latest "healthy" craze in society didn't work for me. I just felt differently than the masses, that's all.

We are all wired differently, we also can feel different about the same event on any given day, heck, sometimes even in any given hour. One example of this is a favorite television show from your past. Think back to some of the shows you have watched years ago, even if it is when you were a kid. Now try and sit and watch them with the same fervor every week that you had when you were 7. The reason you don't have the same feelings is because you have changed, the world has changed, and even the show has changed.

The most important thing to figure out first is what really does motivate you and also what really does just repulse you. (Only you can truly answer those questions) Because, if you want to know the truth . . . It's OK, either way, it's OK that you are you. You are who you are and if you want to improve on something, you will find a way to do it. Think about what things please you and what style would you want to aspire to? You may get an adrenaline rush at the start of any new endeavor, but if it doesn't fit who you are, or your core values you will quit and you will probably give up all together. If someone has found peace of mind by getting up at 4:00 a.m., and running through the neighborhood naked, well, good for them! But, it may just not be your thing.

I believe the way to peace of mind is inside every one of us. I think there is an instruction manual written on every one's souls. We are responsible to map out this journey that we are on first, and then once we know where we are headed; get some outside guidance and pick up some companions along the way.