This starts with identifying what you're not peaceful about. What are you anxious about? What are you depressed about? What thoughts keep you from getting to sleep, or back to sleep if you awaken in the night? What regrets do you have - that you can do something about? Where are you stuck - where are you trying to go? Are you satisfied with your relationships - no? what do you need to do about it/them?
That's a start.
Or at another level, do you give back? Do you live a life of purpose? Do you admire the person you are? Do you feel good about how you are perceived by others?
I had a patient one time who held up her hand with her fingers outstretched and said she felt like a sea anemone with loose ends all over the place. She pulled her fingers in and said she wanted to be like a smooth marble, with her "stuff" under control. We worked on identifying her stuff and helping her figure out how to get things under control. She worked on each thing till she was satisfied, and left therapy feeling in control of her life again. If you are at peace with your life, and I can help you get there, your mind will be at peace. Often the things keeping us up aren't the things and people we can control, but the people
and things we can't. Then your work is the work of letting go, and putting your energy and attention to the things you can change.
God Grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
and wisdom to know the difference.
here's the
Serenity Prayer for Relationships
God grant me the serenity
to accept the people I cannot change.
The courage to change the person I can,
and the wisdom to know that person is me.
And always focus on gratitude for the things and people in your life that are gifts.
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