Practice Stress or Practice Peace

The economic slowdown has created a general sense of insecurity and restlessness. It is often during the hardest times, rather than the most peaceful times that you find a purpose that gives you meaning. As dentists and business owners, purpose and peace must prevail. Albert Einstein once said of life, “It’s simple, but not easy.”

Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace. Finding inner peace does not require hours of daily practice. You don’t have to stand on your head or sit in a meditative position. All it takes is a little willingness and common sense. Life is a precious gift to be savored, not an endless series of chores to complete while you complain about your “practice life.” Remember, your to-do list is immortal. It will live on long after you are gone.

It is impractical to believe that peace is some distant goal, attainable only by a few fortunate souls blessed with good genes, superior brain chemistry, plenty of money, or a calling to become a monk. Peace has not deserted even the craziest and busiest among us. The most basic fact about being human is that peace is our own true nature, our fundamental state of mind. There is a Buddhist saying that peace is like a sun that’s always shining in your heart. It’s just hidden behind clouds of fear, doubt, worry, and desire that continually orient you towards the past or future. The sun comes out only when you’re in the present moment.

The happiest and most productive people are passionate about life. They radiate an infectious enthusiasm that makes “business” a pleasure rather than a problem. Passion focuses your personal energy. Without purpose, energy tends to remain scattered. Periods of letting go are also critical to the creative process. The history of invention and discovery are filled with stories of people who work with enthusiasm, but can’t quite get to that “Aha!” The answer usually comes when they stop thinking and striving. Einstein had his greatest “Aha!” (related to his theory of relativity) while sailing on a boat one weekend after spending many fruitless weeks laboring in his study.

One workable strategy for maintaining peace (sometimes defined as productivity and profitability) over the long haul is to learn how to relax and take care of yourself. There are literally thousands of ways to relax. This week put aside an hour a day to relax in whatever you enjoy. You will find that instead of constricting the amount of time available for you to get things done, the day will seem to unfold in a more languorous, spacious way. The to-do list will still get done, and you will live to tell about it.

Learn to take care of yourself. Think of a person whom you love and respect. For the next week, each time you forget to take care of yourself, pretend that someone dear and precious lives inside you. Honor that person; treat them with all the respect they deserve. If you adopt this daily practice, little by little a strange and wonderful transformation will occur. You will remember how to be good to yourself. And you will experience how much more creative and productive you are when you know you are worthy of your own care and love.

Peace is not a distant goal. It is already within you. Release the sunlight of your spirit by learning to relax and take care of yourself. Practice peace – you’re worth it!