In our beautiful South Pacific paradise, life can sometimes seem deceptively tranquil. Like swans gliding across a serene lake, we might appear calm on the surface while our legs paddle furiously beneath the water, writes Linda Kavelin-Popov.

This metaphor captures the essence of many lives – outward composure masking inner turmoil. This is even more relevant at times of unrest around us including divisive concerns about the direction of our country. 

The Bible provides us with a profound counsel: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) This verse encourages us not to be overcome by the ways of the world but to seek divine guidance and transform our minds, allowing us to find

peace amid the chaos of the world.

One virtue that can significantly contribute to our inner peace is mindfulness. Mindfulness is being fully present, for example, eating slowly enough to savour each bite, to really taste it, rather than shovelling in the food and then feeling too full. Contrary to popular opinion, multi-tasking is not always a desirable skill. Focusing intently on one task with single-pointed attention rather than multi-tasking or disappearing into distraction of other thoughts contributes to a sense of tranquillity and satisfaction. Cherishing the present moment can help us reconnect with our inner selves.

Recently, I rediscovered the peace-giving power of orderliness. A client of mine, a self-proclaimed hoarder, finds tidiness an overwhelming task.  We agreed on a goal to transform one chaotic area into a tranquillity zone.

While helping her, I realised that my own desk had become a mountain of clutter that I had procrastinated about for months. The mess of miscellany was overwhelming, and the sheer magnitude of the task was dis-heartening.

To tackle these challenges, we embraced the Japanese philosophy of Kai Zen, which emphasises making consistent incremental changes.

These small steps bypass the pressure of overwhelm, tricking our brains into relaxing and getting on with the task. We committed to working on our respective areas for just ten minutes each day.

To my amazement, it took only four ten-minute periods of focused, mindful attention to transform my desk into a haven of clarity and order. Now, I spend a few minutes each day maintaining this newfound tranquillity, putting things back in their assigned places.

This experience taught me the importance of being mindful. In a world full of increasing anxiety over world affairs, stresses and distractions, even here in Paradise, focusing on one task at a time can lead to an amazing sense of peace. Embracing mindfulness allows us to be the calm in the winds of change, anchoring ourselves in a sea of chaos.

As we navigate the challenges of life, let’s remember to glide gracefully like swans on a lake. Beneath the surface, let our virtues of mindfulness and orderliness guide us toward inner peace. We will be too blessed to be stressed.