Introduceyourself: A Southern Chick Who Asks, "Have you got your Zen on?"

In a world full of stress, we need more ZEN!!
And that’s what I’m about, finding more Zen. 

However, don’t think because I talk about getting all Zen that I’m some mystic being living in a rarified atmosphere different from most people. I’m just an ordinary person, living an ordinary life. 

How ordinary am I?

Well, let me introduce myself....

I’m just a regular older American female, living on a small farm and trying to pay the bills. A grandma who loves her grandkids!

I’m an animal lover and nature lover, and find taking pictures of both a delight! I’m also an avid reader, love to write, listen to music…

In short, I’m just a regular person. Nothing extraordinary here, just a desire to find that inner peace I call Zen.

So What Do I Mean With All This Zen Business? 

Okay, when I say I want more Zen in my life, I’m not talking about sitting around all day meditating, and I’m certainly not talking about becoming a practitioner of Zen Buddhism. A worthy goal for many, mind you, but just not my thing! 

 

No, I’m thinking more along the lines of these definitions of Zen, the first being from Merriam-Webster:

  Zen: having or showing qualities (such as meditative calmness and an attitude of acceptance) popularly associated with practitioners of Zen Buddhism.

And even more to the point, I like this description of Zen from the Urban Dictionary: 

1 - Zen (noun): a state of coolness only attained through a totally laid-back type of attitude.
2 - Zen (adjective): used to describe someone/something that has reached an uber state of coolness and inner peace 

Doesn’t everyone want to be super cool and filled with inner peace? 

I sure do!  

Stress vs. Zen 

Why do I think finding your Zen is so important?

Seriously? Have you looked at the headlines lately?  

And how about all the studies coming out that are connecting stress with being sick? As in, stress is becoming known as the root cause of almost all ailments. 

In this world filled with stress-inducing problems, we all need to find a way to de-stress and find some inner peace. Otherwise, we just burn out. Our body stays on over drive and gets sick. Our mind stays on overdrive and there is emotional fall-out. 

We NEED to find some Zen in our lives. If a person wants to stay healthy, to live life to the fullest, there just isn't any other option.  

Now not everyone will call it “finding Zen”, but whatever you want to call finding that inner peace that helps you make it through the day and live in joy and happiness … we all need it.

Looking for Zen In All Kinds of Places 

So if you’re looking for Zen, where do you find it?

 I think most people probably think of meditation first. And yeah, that’s a good way to de-stress and find some inner peace. 

But it’s not the ONLY way. 

How about when you go out in nature and feel the awe of seeing a beautiful sunset, or get a peep of some elusive animal walking through the forest? 

Or maybe you enjoy the routine and fun of taking your dog for a walk… 

Or you’re a runner, and love that high you get when you stretch those muscles and just gooooo… 

Or you read a lovely bit of verse that touches your heart… 

Or the music that lifts your spirit and makes your soul sing… 

Or maybe just sitting in some sunshine enjoying some peace and quiet gets your zen on… 

In other words, there are many paths to inner peace, and different people find different paths to that peace. Some ways work better for one person than they do for another.  

For myself, I like to explore all kinds of ways to find that Zen, whether through humor, photography, nature, or more traditional ways like mediation or prayer. 

Why don’t you join me on my journey to discover as many ways as possible to get some Zen in your life?  Cause you know, everyone needs to get their Zen on! :-)