Jared Akers

The Spiritual Serenity Series: 7 Steps to Inner Peace and Happiness

by Jared Akers

In the coming weeks I will explore the process of finding inner peace and happiness; as it has worked for me. I have broken the process down into seven steps:

1. Awareness
2. Acceptance
3. Identification
4. Self-Searching
5. Confession
6. Action
7. Maintenance

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
-Ghandi

I have found Ghandi’s view of happiness to be right on. Thus, I need to get three things in harmony; thought, words, and action. The result of such harmony is a healthy self-image based in reality.

It has been my experience that thought, words, and actions based upon love bring the greatest serenity and happiness into my life. Not only love for myself, but also love for all of God’s creatures. Personally, I did not wake up one day and love everything and everyone… how could I? I did not truly love myself—or so I discovered through this process. It has been a long journey and one that continues on a day-to-day basis.

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Aha Moment: How a Simple Change in Behavior Can Increase Spiritual Serenity

by Jared Akers

I like routines.

Years ago I was living in a house with six other guys. The house was run by a non-profit organization and served as a transition for guys early in sobriety trying to get back on their feet. Literally. Each house member was assigned chores; one of which was cleaning the living room. As an early riser, I was usually the first one up and to make coffee. While the coffee was brewing, I would prepare my lunch for the day, then enjoy a cup of joe in the living room while reading my morning meditation books. Leaving my coffee on the coffee table, it was off to the shower with the intention of returning to finish my coffee before leaving for work.

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Leaving for Curacao

by Jared Akers

This is my last week of school and my wife and I leave on Saturday (06/13/09) for a week vacation in Curacao.

I really wanted to get this awesome article I’m working on up before I left. However, it’s really turning into something I’m excited about and so I am considering making it a series. The working title is: “The Happiness Series: 6 Steps to Inner Peace and Happiness” “The Spiritual Serenity Series: 7 Steps to Inner Peace and Happiness” and it was inspired by this quote:

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
~Ghandi

The quote really resonated with me and I believe it to be right on! The article(s) will be about getting our thoughts, words, and actions in harmony.

Instead of rushing it (or deciding to make it into a series simply because I’m running out of time), I’m going to wait and finish when I get back from vacation. This week is pretty busy already and I really want to be present… especially with my wife as we get started packing and gearing up for our vacation. If I’m thinking about this article in the back of my head… well, I just won’t be as present as I need to be.

In the meantime, I’ll leave you with a few thoughts and quotations I have accumulated for article topics. I thought I would throw some out here and see what sticks! Let me know in the comments if any of these hit a chord or inspire you! Maybe they’ll end up as article topics someday! (We return to the States on the 20th, so look for a great new post somewhere around the 24!)

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”
~Lao Tzu

“When I hear somebody sigh, ‘life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, compared to what?”
~Sydney Harris

“The idea keeps persisting that the instincts are primarily bad and are the roadblocks before which all spirituality falters. I believe that the difference between good and evil is not the difference between spiritual and instinctual man; it is the difference between proper and improper use of the instinctual. Recognition and right channeling of the instinctual are the essence of achieving wholeness.”
~Bill Wilson, As Bill Sees It

“Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past.”
~Lily Tomlin

photo credit: Erica_Marshall

The Secret About: Change and Spiritual Growth

by Jared Akers

I am six years old and shivering as I glare at the freezing water from the edge of a pool. It is 7:30 a.m. and I am supposed to be in the water with the rest of the students… and my mother. Scared and cold, I muster every bit of courage I have, and jump.

A few short minutes later, I am OK. Actually, the water feels good now—not nearly as cold as when I jumped in. Did the water temperature change? Of course not—the water temperature did not change, I did.

“The key to change… is to let go of fear.”
-Rosanne Cash

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Learning My Fathers Love Language

by Jared Akers

These days when I talk to my father, he says I Love You. I do not have many memories of him saying that when I was younger, although I’m sure he did. Honestly, I only think he says it now as a response when I say it. However, my father says I love you in many other ways, I just needed to learn his love language.

Last Saturday I was sitting by the pool reading Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. Anne talks about getting into the moment and seeing things for what they are, simple and pure and getting outside of ourselves.

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