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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Two races set for council positions Deadly virus stalks Southern Oregon deer Police Log Oregon sues Oracle and executives over health insurance exchange website PDF: State of Oregon v. Oracle America Inc. complaint Education SOU ROAR's to life Middle schoolers get a taste of college living Environment Deadly virus stalks Southern Oregon deer National monument area still faces threats What do you think of the return of wolves to Jackson County? How has the drought affected you? 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Two views City sets example on marijuana tax Our View: Review the ordinance, not the site Our View: New twist on the flying wedge Proof is in the numbers Letters Letters to the Editor, Aug. 20 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 19 Letter at Length: Bravo to Ashland for water conservation Letters to the Editor, Tuesday, Aug. 12 Letters to the Editor Guest opinions Opportunities for civic involvement are plentiful in Ashland Hamas supporters spread anti-Semitism around the world A fresh start for the Tidings — and for Mount Ashland Republicans and the politics of cognitive dissonance Revels Latest Stories Community blog:Ashland Book and Author Festival Coming Soon Ashland's On The Fly Improv had the audience rolling Community blog:Poet Laureate Peter Sears in Ashland World of Wine celebrates local varietals 4 things to do this weekend Theater OSF adds 'Wrinkle in Time' Family Night Daedalus Project 2014 Randall Theatre opens 'Godspell' Music 'On the Fly' Live 'on the bricks' Sweet Ghosts at Oberon's Tavern Visual Art First Friday art walk in Ashland Movies Varsity Theatre, Ashland Street Cinemas movie listings: Aug. 22-26 'What If' hits the sweet spot Varsity Theatre, Ashland Street Cinemas movie listings: Aug. 15-21 'Boyhood' and 'The Hundred-Foot Journey' 'A Most Wanted Man' is full of complexities Food and Drink World of Wine celebrates local varietals Lifestyle Latest Stories Inner Peace: Being in conscious presence or peacefulness If pot is medicine, should it be taxed? Backstage: For TV, never go beyond take three Food Project is a success story Inner Peace: Spiritual maintenance Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries NEWS NOW Health officials detect West Nile Virus in another Jackson County sample ... CALENDAR ... Health officials detect West Nile Virus in another Jackson County sample ... CALENDAR ... COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTOR Inner Peace: Spiritual maintenance Making and finding gaps in the day where the self can get in, and get out By Lucie Scheuer For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Lucie Scheuer For the Daily Tidings Posted Aug. 19, 2014 @ 7:27 pm By Lucie Scheuer For the Daily Tidings Posted Aug. 19, 2014 @ 7:27 pm » Social News Inner peace is something that I have come to expect of and for myself. I do not function very well without it. It has become part and parcel of who I am, which means that I find healthier ways to meet my needs and cope - to follow my intuition. As a spiritual being I feel I have achieved some inner peace. This means I have taken certain steps to let go of the things that aren't working for me anymore (behaviors, thoughts and patterns) and cultivate behaviors that do. It means that I take responsibility for my actions being proactive rather reactive. It means sublimating ego and reaching for those places within myself to manifest the greater good. I'm not saying it has been an easy journey. I have to work on a daily basis to keep it. And I don't always achieve it. Inner peace is a process. A process of allowing myself to be human, but at the same time embracing a higher consciousness. I try and start each day with an affirmation, meditation or a prayer. This sets the tone for my day. It reminds me that as I go about the business of doing, I am still a sentient being with a great purpose: It is to work for the greater good of myself and others. This involves the practice of mindfulness, reminding myself to be present in the moment. And it isn't always easy because life has many distractions. I have to pull myself back and redirect my thoughts many times in a day. But it is the awareness that I need to do this that helps me stay centered and at peace. I try and take some time during the middle of the day to be quiet and disengage myself from all the background noise. There is a sacred place, a garden where I work, where I can go and jettison some of the energy I have absorbed from people and situations and just be. I often visit parks in the afternoon. I go to feel a cool afternoon breeze, to be awakened to the deeper person within me. I meet myself there in that place. I can start the day over if I need to. I can reset my intentions. I can look at decisions I’ve made out of fear or anger and make some course corrections. I can also acknowledge the things that are working and celebrate those things. That way I don’t feel as though fate is tilted in one direction and I am at the mercy of everything outside me. I ask questions of myself daily, such as: "Is it really important for me to get involved in this situation? Can I be the better person? If I express my anger, will this person hear what I have to say?" I look for the solution rather than stay in the problem. It is a practice. The more you question your motives, the more you will begin to opt for the more peaceful solution. Why? It feels good. And who doesn't want to feel good? I think most of us do. I have a little game I play with myself. It is called “Notice the Sunset.” I take a few minutes around dinnertime to watch the sun fade away on the horizon. I say “thank you for the gift of today.” It helps me remain grateful for all of them, good and bad. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, “We are not just human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” That resonates and ups the ante for me, raising the bar. It gives me something to reach for as a spiritual person. I try to "walk the walk and talk the talk." Yes, I have a ways to go, but at least I can say I've achieved a modicum of inner peace.   Lucie Scheuer has worked in the recovery field for 20 years and is executive director of Phoenix Counseling Center, providing alcohol, drug and mental health services to adults, adolescents and families in the Rogue Valley. Send 600 to 700 word Inner Peace articles to Sally McKirgan at [email protected].       By Lucie Scheuer For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Lucie Scheuer For the Daily Tidings Posted Aug. 19, 2014 @ 7:27 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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