I recently had the opportunity to visit Palm Springs, California. It’s a Mecca for golfers and a lovely place to soak up the sun – especially when the North is under a couple feet of snow. Essentially, it’s an manicured oasis surrounded by desert and mountains. Not too shabby.
As I lounged about in Bob Hope’s former stomping grounds, I began to ponder the nature of an oasis. I considered that:
- An oasis exists in the middle of a desert or other hostile landscape.
- An oasis has a spring where water flows from some deep source.
- An oasis nurtures life.
I realized that I have created my own Personal Oasis. It’s a state of mind and practice that helps me navigate less than friendly situations, that facilitates a sense of well-being and that supports my journey.
I “reside” in my Personal Oasis when I choose to direct my thoughts toward peace and joy and when I strive in my actions to create an external environment that supports joyful living.
Currently, I’m more of a Frequent Visitor, but I hope with more practice to become a Permanent Resident.
Hey, this Oasis thing is a work in progress. And I expect that there will be design changes along the way. I just know that when I operate from a place of peace and joy, I am the person I was meant to be. And that fuels an exquisite sense of well-being.
So how do you create your own personal Oasis? Here are some practices that will help get you started:
- Take charge of your time. Schedule space for yourself – time to sleep, time to exercise, time to enjoy friends & family, time to create, time to discover.
- Reduce and restrict noise. Notice the noise that surrounds you – radio, TV, iTunes, loud neighbors, traffic, construction. Turn off the electronics, shut the windows. Feel your body relax in the glorious quiet.
- Establish boundaries for peace & quiet. Reduce internal and external drama. Spend time in prayer and meditation.
- Look around you and notice how marvelous life is. Express your gratitude.
Your Personal Oasis will help support you when you are in difficult situations. It will provide you space to dig down and discover your own personal strength. It can facilitate your own sense of well-being.
So why not begin today?
