Essay for Think Traffic contest
This photograph represents to me the essence of what is deepest peace and serenity. For most of us these moments are few and far between, usually cut short by all of the daily stressors and obligations of the day. My son is now four years old and I still can hold him in my arms and experience the absolute joy of unconditional love flowing through me as he says “I love you so much Daddy”.
For many years I have been a closet writer. Writing notes, journal entries, and observations on my daily thoughts, events, and ideas. Just turning forty I have enough wisdom to hopefully have learned a thing or two, but still optimistically reckless enough to throw caution to the wind. I feel like I have focused enough on my own career and aspirations and now want to serve others.
Why am I sharing this with you?
I want to start a movement with my writing and my blog.
I truly believe peace and serenity for the world starts with each of us. The recent violent happenings in America and around the globe point out that we still have a long way to go. However, I am hopeful that people want change.
A Dad cuddling with his child represents peace and that is what most people want in this world. Whether it is holding your dog, your lover, your friend, or just watching a sunset from your front porch that feeling of serenity is what we crave and live for.
How do we get there?
How do we find the peace that will make this world a better place, one that is less anxious, less aggressive, less violent?
It starts with us.
We can develop a daily practice of gratitude, gentleness, and inner serenity that will spill out to those around you.
The blog I would like to create is called Serenity Dad.
It will chronicle my own journey towards a less stress filled life. Gathering the best wisdom advice from spiritual sages and secular alike it will take the greatest of these ideas and put them into daily practice.
You see that is where most of us fail. You can have a Doctorate Degree in Theology, or meditate and practice yoga daily and still miss the boat.
Daily ACTION is where things start to change. Focusing on others, learning from others, and having compassion for your fellow man allows you to be effective as a change agent.
Learning to put aside our massive selfishness and ego, especially as spoiled Americans, and caring more about others can have a HUGE impact on the world.
I want my kids to say their heroes (besides Dad of course) are Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Marthin Luther King Jr., and other men and women of peace and extreme courage.
Practically speaking, I will share much of my writing that has dealt with spiritual matters. For example, essays on the great wisdom books I have read over the years and a daily action step to take based on such profound teachings.
Tips and techniques for reducing stress and anxiety in today’s modern, technology based world that throws change and chaos at us around every corner. Some advice will be ancient, some more modern.
Case studies on individuals who have embraced different ways of being and are making a difference in the world around them.
There will be meditations on art, music, and poetry that will enrich us daily and give us the strength to continue the journey of peace and inner awareness.
Most important will be the active creation of compassion circles that will bring groups of like minded people together to foster the changes that will take place in individual communities.
I envision this blog to reach audiences interested in both world peace, Buddhism, mysticism, simple living, and inner well being that so many are searching for right now.
I know there is a huge need for something like this right now and I believe I can bring a unique and well informed perspective to keep the wave of spiritual change and compassion in motion that is already taking place in the world around us.
Kevin Collins
Peoria, IL
Please contact me at kjcollins15@yahoo.com if you are interested in working with me.
As an aside, the website I linked to in the comment form is a site I built around one of my interests, Dachshunds. I have lost interest somewhat in that niche content site after my Dachshund died last year. The website’s address again is www.cute-dachshund-pictures.com.
Thank you!
