Caribbean Coast, Colombia – Written By Jeff Bochsler – Follow me on Twitter or tell the world you like this by clicking the Facebook share link above.
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Though I begin writing this email within the colors and comfort of a hammock on the Northern Caribbean Coast of Colombia in a small funky village locked into mid-80s temperatures, the focus of this email is not about short-term, one-time discoveries of peace nor to highlight my travels. Indeed this is important in life. These moments are rejuvenating; they are often spontaneous; they are uplifting; and I would recommend all push hard on the creativity front to design such an adventure, aligning with your own interests, to make such an opportunity happen. Yet, chilling in a hammock off the beaten path is often short-lived, and difficult to replicate.
Systemize Peaceful Experiences
I’m a nerd about systems. I want replication. I don’t want to leave it up to chance that I find peace from time-to-time. I want to find it consistently. I realize the harm in carrying around stress; we’re all aware of the negative effects. I want to return home to Santa Barbara in three weeks and have places and/or routines that result in daily peacefulness. I want to be a joy to be around because of my discipline in this life detail. Don’t you?
Religion’s Psychology Lesson
The religious leaders throughout time have followed human psychology. They’ve learned that we humans need consistency and the consistency needs to happen at least once per week if not twice in order to keep people regularly in attendance, regularly connecting to God. Daily is most preferred, however once or twice per week functions. Therefore, they’ve created a system and schedule that meets this goal.
But as we grow older many determine their beliefs aren’t aligned with the religious institution in which they were raised. They soon have difficulty attending a service or function that doesn’t parallel their core beliefs. Religious services are cut from the weekly calendar.
Gathering the Troops
The good news is there are plenty of people seeking out this same sense of peace as you are. Many are longing for the consistency, the camaraderie, and the accountability.
Find a book club or create one. If you’ve seen the movie “Yes, Man!”, you could organize a running group that takes photographs along the way. Line up a group to run trails with at a set time each weekend. The ideas and opportunities are without end.
In doing research for this MSR, I came across a man that wrote a book on the New York’s 50 Best Places to Find Peace and Quiet. Perhaps we should follow Allan Ishac’s lead, and start by each writing-up the 25 best places to find peace and quiet in our own city.
Send them my way. Conceivably we could begin writing our own book together and adding to Mr. Ishac’s excellent work.
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Jeff Bochsler
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9 responses so far ↓
1
Anonymous
// May 31, 2011 at 9:37 am
Saw the subject and thought…’hmmm’, I have answered that question before..
2
Anonymous
// May 31, 2011 at 9:38 am
I think one can find peace in the parks throughout town. But more importantly, noticing the calm of the flow of traffic (people, cars, birds) as you walk down the street.
3
Anonymous
// May 31, 2011 at 9:38 am
I like this Jefe. Well done and came at a good time for me. Glad to see you’re having fun on your trip. Keep rocking the beard!
4
Anonymous
// May 31, 2011 at 9:39 am
Great topic Jeff.
5
Anonymous
// May 31, 2011 at 9:41 am
Jeff, your writings give me so much to think about. Thanks so much.
6
Anonymous
// May 31, 2011 at 9:41 am
Excellent as always Mr. Bochsler.
7
Anonymous
// May 31, 2011 at 9:43 am
Thanks Jeff,
Your hammock setting sounds beautiful. Now the key will be to recreate that inside your head and heart even when stuck in heavy LA traffic while being late for a meeting. J You have built a huge “battery” of uplifting experiences on this journey that you can now tap into whenever needed. Yes!
I just finished a 3 day retreat in Malibu with my YPO group that was all about transformational growth within relationships by tapping into our “right brains” and being vulnerable and sharing emotions with trusted friends. And when someone shares a deep emotion, you show your care and understanding by sharing what that emotion triggers in you, in some personal story. It’s amazing how powerful this is. Rather than mirroring someone’s words “so you are saying you feel hurt when your Dad said….”, you instead share your own relation to it that could be from an entirely different kind of story, but yet with a shared emotion. I’ll share more when we connect upon your return.
But when it comes to peace, know that it is impossible to find a sense of peace from any left brained activity. Only our right brains can bring us this sense of peace, so it becomes critical that we develop this often untapped “muscle” to enjoy more peace in life. Silence, meditation, nature, yoga, other exercises all without looking at your iphone or Blackberry, checking sports scores, talking about current events or the weather. It’s a deep and profound space that is within all of us, eagerly waiting to be nurtured and revealed!
I have been getting up 30 minutes earlier each weekday (6am instead of 6:30am) so I have some quiet time before the kids and their chaos come into play. I spend this time usually reading and reading a gratitude prayer. It is lovely!
Be well my friend,
8
Anonymous
// May 31, 2011 at 9:44 am
As far a peaceful places in our city- I like water. Alice Keck Park memorial Gardens – any week day.
Hendry’s Beach to the right side ( IMO dogs aren’t to peaceful) during the late afternoon hours- or right before sunset – especially in the winter time- watching the sun set over the ocean.
I like the court house fountain, and the one at Paseo Nuevo,
Ones at Lotusland (if you are a member, on certain days one can do self guided tours – stopping and waiting where ever one wants. I really love the “moon” pond )
And little known Franceschi park overlooking the city -
Oh, and I forgot the SB Cemetery…LOL
9
Anonymous
// May 31, 2011 at 9:46 am
As usual… love it! I’ve always thought about trying to address this.
I love the finding peace focus/aspect though. I wonder if there would be enough traction to start a phyle (group/community of like minded individuals) with religious type commitment to finding peace through interacting with your local surroundings. Would love to kick this around more.
Hope you are continuing to be amazed by your travels! Thanks again for sharing.
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