“The final wisdom of life requires not the annulment of incongruity but the achievement of serenity within and above it.” ~ Reinhold Niebuhr

How do you achieve serenity while living in a world of incongruity and limitations? Everywhere you look in the world today there is evidence of turmoil, conflict and unrest, a state that would seem diametrically opposed to the experience of serenity. If you feel regularly boxed-in by circumstance, I encourage you to read on.

Like you, most people are desirous of serenity, of a sense of inner peace and tranquility. If you watch closely, you’ll see that people are willing to try just about anything to taste even a tiny morsel of the elusive state of serenity known by so few through the ages. They consume mind-numbing drugs and alcohol, withdraw from society, repeat religious rites or ritualized forms of exercise or meditation, and the list goes on.

Sadly, these approaches help but they don’t produce a lasting sense of serenity. The ugly and harsh realities of life always seem to find a way back into the hearts and minds of devotees of any one of those approaches and serenity gives way to struggle.

While I don’t claim to possess a panacea to restore serenity to the heart of the individual or the collective heart of mankind, I have come to realize over the years that unless there is a motivation to bless and uplift backed by an underlying orientation in the spirit of love that is deeper, more powerful and more important than anything else that comes your way, you will be swayed by the winds as they begin to blow.

I’ve also come to understand that serenity can be known on a sustainable basis when you learn to be at peace with any limitation, constraint or restriction present in your world. That does not mean that you are in denial of the limitations you face, neither does it imply that you accept the limitations in your world permanently, as would a fatalist.

What it does mean is that when you develop the habit of meeting any limitation with equanimity, without judgment or reaction, accepting it as a restriction that must be tolerated—on a temporary basis—you are then free to work and live with the restriction creatively and proactively, rather than reactively.

Limitations are not fun, comfortable or desirable, but they are ever-present. The sooner you learn to handle them creatively, the more effective you will be in the living of life.

You cannot try to have an untroubled heart, it either is or it isn’t. You cannot buy, beg, barter or steal a state of serenity, you must rise into it. To rise up you must stop looking down so regularly and so stubbornly. You must find a way to maintain your vision or you will be permanently shackled by the limitations in your world.

When you first meet a limitation—and I guarantee you will encounter at least one today —ask yourself first, before passing judgment(!):

“What is the most creative and productive way I can handle this?”

Many people, when faced with an obstacle or a limitation, jump immediately to self-pity, blame and retribution. “This limitation is so uncomfortable. I hate it!” is followed by “Why me?” and often then becomes “This is so-and-so’s fault and they should pay!”

Others harden themselves to confront the challenges they face with steely and inflexible determination. This tact is often rationalized with the idea that the end justifies the means. “Fire” is fought with “fire” and on the basis of these two extremes, we have the world we have.

Dare to be different in this regard. It is said that the truth is often found in the middle and that it is easier to pose as a victim of conditions than to prove oneself a victor. But don’t take my or “their” word for it, prove it for yourself by taking a fresh approach:

• Listen with a calm mind and untroubled heart for the impulses that guide the wisest course of action. They’re always there.
• Defy the ordinary approach that has become normal but is by no means natural to those dedicated to living an uncommon life.
• Do the unexpected when limitations appear and rise up rather than retreating into habitual patterns of reaction that are beneath you.
• Recognize the challenge and meet it with creativity rather than futility or willful force.

What really do you have to lose? The opportunity to complain and commiserate? The chance to gloat over a vanquished opponent while standing tall in the rubble? Well, if that’s all, then there isn’t much to lose.

Serenity is found, known and preserved by means of this approach, no matter how hectic, limited or challenging your life may be at any given point in time.

I know, because I have proved it for myself.

Join me, I dare you.