May Theme: Serenity (chosen by Zeenat)
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines serenity as “the quality or state of being serene.”
Another definition of serene, as an adjective:
Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil: her eyes were closed and she looked very serene.
Appended to this definition was the “archaic noun” definition:
An expanse of clear sky or calm sea : not a cloud obscured the deep serene.
Now, that’s more like it!
As I turned my head toward Serenity this month, I looked toward nature. Watching the Pacific ocean brings me serenity. Watching clouds drift overhead brings me serenity. And I see this effect in others, too. People become quiet when watching the water or gazing at the sky. I’ve witnessed this effect dozens and dozens of times.
I can’t leave this post about serenity without mentioning meditation. When I close my eyes and follow my breath, I believe this to be the equivalent of watching the ocean or viewing the clouds drifting in my inner wilderness. I can create my own water and skies in my mind, following my breath.
What about you? Feel like commenting about ‘serenity’?
Stay tuned for next month’s theme: WISDOM (chosen by Lance).
♦ April’s theme post: Family
♦ March’s theme post: Laughter
♦ February’s theme post: Passion
♦ January’s theme post: Gratitude
♦ December’s theme post: Wacky!
♦ November’s theme post: Beauty
♦ October’s theme post: Kindness
The RAOKA mission seeks to remind us that Random Acts of Kick Arse happen all around us—and also to spread the spirit. Each month, one of us RAOKA groupies picks a new theme to focus our attention toward positivity and goodness in this world.
On the first Wednesday of each month (US time zone) we all post about what we’ve observed.
The RAOKA team—check out other ‘Serenity’ posts:
Lance at Jungle of Life
Gayze at Gazehound’s Animal Communication
Zeenat at Positive Provocations
RAOKA’s creator, Sami May, is currently on blogging hiatus and may return in the future—I’ve picked up the torch for her in the interim. Thank you for giving RAOKA momentum, Sami!
Be Involved in RAOKA!
If you’d like to become a Random Acts of Kick Arse Crusader—here’s your chance:
- Follow along with our monthly themes and spread the random acts of kick arse!
- Write a post about you’re up to and publish it on the first Wednesday of each month if you are in the US (for other parts of the world, check out your corresponding day here). If you need a reminder each month, feel free to email me at lori [@ symbol] janebenimble [dot] com to let me know you want to be a RAOKA Crusader and I’ll send you a reminder email. If you don’t have a blog, you’re welcome to play along in the comments.
- When you see my RAOKA post published, fill out your details in the form below including the URL address of your own RAOKA post and the title of your blog in the “Link Title” field. This will then automatically create a link to your post for others to see what kind of arse kicking you’ve been up to. See the following link as an example (link 1).
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Serenity…now *that* was a good sci-fi show! Too bad it got canceled so quickly. Oh wait. Not what you meant? Just kidding
Like you, I find serenity in nature, especially by looking at the ocean. It helps me feel calm and connected to life, connected to the world around me and connected to the divine. In that state of oneness, of unity, all troubles fall away and a deep peace settles over me. Serenity, indeed.
.-= Jay´s last blog ..Back in Black =-.
Hi Jay,
I like what you said about the ocean, Jay. And that’s something I hadn’t thought enough about, that it connects me to the divine, too. I can’t think of anything more serene than the ocean. I thought you’d agree.
Lori, I could sum up my entire comment in two words — “me, too”.
Nature holds all wisdom, or the reflection thereof, if one can but still one’s heart to truly see, truly hear, and truly feel her voice.
.-= Gayze´s last blog ..RAOKA for May — Serenity =-.
Hi Gayze,
That’s awesome, “me, too.” LOVE IT! (I think you’re funny, Gayze, thanks for brightening my day.)
I loved your serenity post today, too, Gayze. You have a way with words!
~xo
I am a nature person too – the sounds, the feel, the sites, the power… it is all magic. Nature can lighten the load and help me find peace.
Thanks Lori!
.-= The Exception´s last blog ..Rolling Thunder =-.
Good Morning!
Thanks for your thoughts here. Nature is so blessed and wonderful — if I had my druthers, I’d move into a tent in the middle of nowhere and become a woodland nymph. Nature can lighten the load, indeed.
Peace to you.
Hi Lori,
Serenity…yes nature sings it’s song to us all the question is…will I listen. I find serenity each time I tell my ego to go on vacation;) xo wishing you and me a serene month.
.-= Tess Bold Life´s last blog ..The Bold Life: Loving Choices Change Lives =-.
Hi Tess,
How’s things?
Ha ha, too funny about telling your ego to go on vacation. I need to do that more often. Have a great June! I love June, it holds the first day of summer and the promise of so much sun, joy, and warmth. Mmmmm!
P.S. Loved your latest post about loving choices. It was full of wisdom and clarity.
~xo
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by The Bold Life, Gayle Nastasi. Gayle Nastasi said: RAOKA, Serenity, from Lori: http://is.gd/czDlt [...]
Hi Lori,
Nature really appears to me to be serenity at it’s best. Even in the midst of chaos (storms, etc) – nature always goes back to a state of serenity.
The ocean (or other bodies of water for us more “inland”!) definitely invokes that feeling in me, too. Perhaps it’s the waves rolling in, the expanse of the sky, the air around us… One of my most profound “serene” moments was on a cruise shape, late at night, in the Gulf of Mexico. And there was nothing special, per se, about that moment, other than I was there on the deck of the boat – alone – with the ocean and the horizon. And I couldn’t take myself away from it – it just felt so right to be there.
Lori, it’s good to read this today – and then to be reminded of this “serene” moment that was deeply meaningful to me. Thank you…
Much love,
Lance
.-= Lance´s last blog ..RAOKA: Serenity =-.
Hi Lance,
Interesting that you’re the second person to include a moment of serenity as a part of a cruise ship — Eric over at Eden Journal mentioned this as well. Hmmm, if I didn’t have issues with boats, I’d try a cruise some day. Maybe in my next life?
I like that about the RAOKA mission, that it reminds us of moments of “Kick Arse” — and I need all the reminders of serenity I can get! You’ve chosen an awesome theme for June, Lance {wisdom}. I’m looking forward to posting about that, too.
~xo
[...] solitude and I’ve thought a bit on this. Fortuitously for me, Serenity is this month’s RAOKA theme (click that link to learn more) and other bloggers have been writing about solitude lately so I [...]
Hi Lori:
I enjoyed your thoughts on serenity and agree with you that nature can bring about a great sense of serenity and peace. It’s hard to explain, but I feel such a sense of balance and peace when I’m immersed in natural beauty. I agree with you about meditation and think that its great that you incorporate images of clouds and the ocean when you meditate. Great idea. Which reminds me…its time to put my CD of waves crashing into my CD player. Thanks for the post!
.-= Tim´s last blog ..Guest Post on Daily Shot of Coffee =-.
Hi Tim,
It’s great to see you here. Thanks for contributing your thoughts.
Hey, I’m glad you mentioned your CD of crashing waves. I know music is a large part of your life (me, too) and I often rely on nature’s sounds to bring me serenity, too. I have at least a 1/2 dozen various CD of nature-inspired sounds. I love ‘em, love ‘em, love ‘em.
Cheers to waves crashing and the serene sounds of water. Thumbs up!
I find that I am most serene when watching Corona commercials… you know, the ones with the beach scene, and the sound of the waves and birds, and the bottle of Cerveza Corona with a lime wedge serenely perched on top? You know those? Bliss, I tell ya.
Hi Lisis,
Oh my, Corona and a lime — to bad it’s so early in the afternoon or I’d go help myself to the dreamy pair.
And, I thank my lucky stars I don’t have a TV — I’m way to open to suggestion; I was hypnotized once to walk with my arm straight up in a comedy show! (No joke!)
Hey Lori,
When it’s serenity I need, I’m with you – nature is just the ticket. When I’m feeling troubled, spending an hour just staring at the ocean makes me feel better. I get the same feeling when I’m up in the mountains as well. Nature totally does it for me!
George
.-= George Angus´s last blog ..Is Your Passionate Writing Fueled By Anger Or Inspiration? =-.
Hi George,
Hey lovely! How about you and me, the beach, a couple ‘o beach chairs, and some skewers on the barbie?
I love the mountains, too, George, or being deep within an old-growth forest.
Great seeing you today — you made my day.
~xo
Hi Lori .. yes – Serenity seems to fit Zeenat perfectly .. her posts are always so peaceful, serene – oh yes add a touch of joy and a lot of love! She’s comfortable with herself … I would love to emulate these states .. I’m working in that direction! I’m quite volatile .. so holding back, and being in the now can be tricky for me .. I’m working on it!
Water and the calmness of nature, knowing that the cycle goes on is just wonderful .. Serene June – before Lance’s Wisdom .. have great weekends – Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Volcanic palette, translucent jet streams, passion-fruit paintings … =-.
Hi Hilary,
I hope all is well in your world.
I agree with your comment about Zeenat. She’s such a lovely flower, don’t you think? And, no way Hilary — you, “volatile”? I can’t believe that.
It’s great that you mention the cycle of nature, that’s a very good point. To know that the seasons change as they’re meant to change, and that it’s all just a part of the process in this beautiful world. I believe that to represent serenity, too. Great point!
Best of the weekend to you, too, lovely.
Cheers!
Hi Lori
Serenity is definitely found in and after meditation. When the thoughts slow down, when the spaces in between them increases and a peace descends.
Good going on the Raoka
Hi Uzma,
I agree, meditation takes me to the most pristine moments of serenity — and I can see these moments even whilst being far away from nature, too.
Peace to you and thanks for contributing to the RAOKA mindset.
No the ocean has no serenity for me, I just see surf and waves and how they will flip my kayak over. They do it all the time. Serenity is in my mind and not dependent on where I am. Serenity is when I do not want to be anywhere else than where I am, serenity is for me when I am not thinking about doing anything else than what I am doing right now.
xox Wilma
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..Do you pay attention? =-.
Hi Wilma,
Yes, I can see how being flipped over in your kayak would *not* bring deep moments of serenity! I went kayaking a few years ago and I certainly did not feel serene being rocked about. At any rate, good for you for going kayaking! I love it!
What a great quote and a keeper, “When I am not thinking about anything else than what I am doing right now.” Well said, wise one. Are you a Zen master?
No thanks, I could not live up to that and I would lose all my serenity.
Wilma Ham´s last [type] ..Wilma on Paying Attention.