Chaplains Spot

From the time of the first Christmas, when peace on earth was announced, to the present day, there has rarely been a time of peace on earth.  As we look at the world around us, there are places where there is horrible destruction of life and environment. How do we respond? How can we make any difference, when it’s all so dark and seemingly hopeless? 

Where do we find peace? It will be different for all of us. For some, it is the refuge of our family, while for others it is faith in a higher power. Peace is not the absence of chaos in life. It can be found even in the chaos.

The above painting shows a bird in the midst of chaos, at peace in its nest. That is its safe place. As we move towards the end of the year, it often feels like there is so much happening. We can’t wait for the relative peace of the holiday break. How can we find peace? Then we can bring peace into others’ lives.

Here are 12 mindfulness tips to help you find inner peace [https://www.calm.com/blog/inner-peace]

1] Meditate- Despite being a simple act, meditation can profoundly affect your mental state. It helps cultivate equanimity and a deeper sense of peace.

2] Live in the present- How often do you find yourself stuck in the past or feeling anxious about the future? If you’re like the rest of us, probably a lot. But the present moment is all we truly have. Embrace it, live it.

3] Cultivate a positive mindset-Our minds are powerful things. They can act as our greatest ally or our worst enemy. When we learn to focus on the good, we start to develop our inner peace.

4] Develop love for yourself- Loving others starts with loving ourselves. For inner peace, learn to appreciate who you are, cherish your strengths, embrace your flaws. You are unique, and that's worth celebrating.

5] Practice self-care -Taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing is a necessity. Set aside time for yourself every day. You deserve it, and it cultivates self-love that leads to inner peace. 

6] Visualize a peaceful place - Visualizing a happy or peaceful place engages your mind in a positive and calming way, acting as a form of mental escape from stressors and fostering a sense of inner peace.

7] Learn to breathe effectively - most of us don't use our breath to its full potential. Deep, conscious breathing can have a deep calming effect. In moments of stress, take a few moments to focus on your breath.

8] Access nature – it has a soothing mental effect. Spend time connecting with nature to instill a sense of peace within. Don’t worry about doing anything too adventurous - keep it simple and still get the benefits.

9] Be grateful – It can shift your focus from what's missing to what you already have. Make a daily habit of noting down things you're grateful for. Focusing on the good stuff can change how we look at our entire day.

10] Work on acceptance - Life is full of uncertainties we can't control. Try acknowledging things as they are rather than how you wish they were. Recognize reality and work with it rather than against it. 

11] Practice non-judgement - This is about learning to observe your thoughts and emotions without labeling them as 'good' or 'bad.' By practicing non-judgment, you create space for acceptance and inner peace.

12] Foster deeper connections- Cultivate relationships that feed your soul. Spend time with people who uplift you and bring you peace. Try to have a strong support network of positive and supportive individuals.

GRPS Family support:

Thank you to those who have helped with our Meal Train and Toast Tuesday rosters. At the start of 2024, I will share with you the links for the new year. Both these areas need people to be available to help out, even once a term. 

2nd-hand uniforms: These will still be available next year, for only a gold coin donation. Thanks for those who have recycled their old uniform items. For those moving on, we would appreciate you recycling your uniforms – bring them to the office for me to add to our stock for next year. 

May you have an enjoyable and restful Christmas and holiday time. Experience the positives of Christmas, amidst the crazy busyness and hype that surrounds us. The following might help in that process.

Take care everyone, and we’ll see you next year. For those moving on, all the best in the next stage of your journey. Accept the balance of exciting and scary that usually accompanies a new phase.

Alan Silverwood: Chaplain - Pastoral care for our community. [Monday, Tuesday, Friday]

[alan.silverwood@education.vic.gov.au]

Supporting the School community in emotional, social, spiritual and practical wellbeing. 

Our Chaplaincy program is funded by the Federal Government’s ‘National Student Wellbeing Program’, the GRPS School Council and donations.