How to Live Life with Serenity manual
Index Introduction Exercise 1: Acceptance Exercise 2: Intelligence Exercise 3: Non-Attachment Exercise 4: Faith Exercise 5: Serenity Wisdoms Exercise 6: Closing Exercise www.harnessinghappiness.org
Introduction Meaning of Serenity: Clear, calm, fair, undimmed, peaceful, tranquil, unruffled Serenity is not an outside job. It comes from thought forms. There is much we cannot control outside of ourselves. In turn, that helplessness creates stress inside of ourselves. We worry and worry, when not directed properly, can bring sickness, depression and lack of prosperity. In truth, worry costs a lot and accomplishes nothing. We live in a world where we are exposed to many challenging events and an enormous amount of fervor. As a result, staying serene is one of the most difficult feelings to achieve. Even when we grasp it, it can disappear in a heartbeat. Therefore, it takes concentration, discipline and devotion, not to another, but to ourselves. The key to serenity is not avoidance or denial. It is quite the opposite. It comes from directness and truth. The ugliest truth is better than the most beautiful lie. We must face things directly, contemplate the circumstances and then make a plan of action. And, sometimes the most intelligent action is non-action, intuiting when something will work and when it will not. There are four basic keys to serenity: Acceptance - knowing where we can create change or control something and where we cannot. Intelligence - knowing what is appropriate in order to create a positive outcome. Non-Attachment - knowing how to not be attached to outcome. Faith - knowing that there is a bigger plan and things are not always as they seem. We cannot change another, we cannot change many situations, but what we can do is change our reaction to these things. Therein lies serenity. It truly is a gift to our spirit, a refresher to our mind and a vitamin to our body. Remember: We are only defeated when we lose our enthusiasm. Remember: Peace won by compromising truth is always short-lived. Remember: Patience is genius. Remember: Mistakes are the victory of trying. Remember: Stay calm to avoid calamity. Remember: Those of us who laugh, last. Remember: There is more in the unseen than the seen. www.harnessinghappiness.org 1
Exercise 1 Acceptance Meaning of Acceptance: agreeable, understanding as valid, welcomed, believed 1. Whom do you not accept as they are and state if you believe they want to change? Make a list. 2. If not, can you accept the reality of the person and if not, how can you change that for yourself? www.harnessinghappiness.org 2
3. What can you not accept in your life? Make a list. 4. Do you believe you can change this for yourself? If so, how? 5. If you cannot change it, how and what can you change to better accept it? www.harnessinghappiness.org 3
Exercise 2 Intelligence Meaning of Intelligence: active intellect, higher mental functions, mindful, knowledgable 1. Where do you feel you can change something that would make you happier? 2. What intelligent action can you take to make this happen? www.harnessinghappiness.org 4
3. Where do you feel you do not react intelligently? 4. How can you change this for yourself? 5. Where do you feel you react the most intelligently? www.harnessinghappiness.org 5
Exercise 3 Non-Attachment Meaning of Non- Attachment: not to make fast to something, not to hold great importance to the outcome, not to feel something or someone belongs to us, not to be affixed. 1. Where do you feel the most attached and why? 2. Do you feel you can detach and if not why? www.harnessinghappiness.org 6
3. Do you understand the freedom of non-attachment? If not, why? 4. Make a list of all circumstances in your life where you want to detach and then make a plan of action to make this happen. www.harnessinghappiness.org 7
Exercise 4 Faith Meaning of Faith: belief without evidence, confidence in the outcome, credence, honorable intentions 1. Where do you lack faith and why? 2. How can you change this? www.harnessinghappiness.org 8
3. Where do you have the most faith? 4. Who do you have the least faith in and why? 5. Who do you have the most faith in and why? www.harnessinghappiness.org 9
Exercise 5 Serenity Wisdoms Read the 40 wisdoms below and pick the five that are the hardest for you and why. Then pick the five that are the easiest for you. 1. Serenity comes from not basing expectations on anyone but ourselves. 2. Serenity comes from being affected by everything and reacting to nothing. 3. Serenity comes from watching our thoughts, as they hold the power. 4. Serenity comes from realizing that being kind is not always the answer. 5. Serenity comes from feeling the difference between protecting or defending ourselves. 6. Serenity comes from following our dreams to their highest good. 7. Serenity comes from continually seeking knowledge and wisdom. 8. Serenity comes from knowing that anything that does not work needs to be in review. 9. Serenity comes from staying in grace, no matter the circumstances. 10. Serenity comes from our principles and noble character. 11. Serenity comes from truth and only truth. 12. Serenity comes from holding ourselves as a person of virtue. 13. Serenity comes from not dwelling in faint heartedness. 14. Serenity comes from understanding the weakness of our corrupted society. 15. Serenity comes from birthing our own reality, not dependent on outside forces. 16. Serenity comes from spending time in nature, or with animals. 17. Serenity comes from servicing those less fortunate. 18. Serenity comes from eliminating narcissism within ourselves. www.harnessinghappiness.org 10
19. Serenity comes from finding our purpose and putting it into manifestation. 20. Serenity comes from wanting the we program rather than the I. 21. Serenity comes from analyzing forces which obstruct our spirit. 22. Serenity comes from demolishing our arrogance and demonstrating our humility. 23. Serenity comes from receiving graciously. 24. Serenity comes from silencing our pessimism and saluting our optimism. 25. Serenity comes from feeling and speaking our gratitude many times each day. 26. Serenity comes from never diminishing ourselves. 27. Serenity comes from facing our fears head on; and then turning our head off. 28. Serenity comes from harnessing any reason to be happy. 29. Serenity comes from studying the difference between reality and illusion. 30. Serenity comes from balancing the lion and the lamb within ourselves. 31. Serenity comes from living consciously. 32. Serenity comes from respecting differences. 33. Serenity comes from welcoming and embracing our destiny. 34. Serenity comes from standing by our convictions and not conforming to the patterns of the world. 35. Serenity comes from a caring heart and anonymous giving. 36. Serenity comes from feeling inspired and creative. 37. Serenity comes from making a small difference, with large passion. 38. Serenity comes from accepting life on life s terms. 39. Serenity comes from being unique, while being united. 40. Serenity comes from loving to care. www.harnessinghappiness.org 11
1. What five wisdoms are the hardest for you and why? 2. What five wisdoms are the easiest for you and why? www.harnessinghappiness.org 12
Exercise 6 Closing Exercise 1. What do you feel you learned from this manual that you will incorporate into your work/school life? 2. What do you feel you learned from this manual that you will incorporate into your personal life? 3. Which exercise did you like the best and why? www.harnessinghappiness.org 13
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