Peace, Solitude, Serenity – Three States of Being – Are They Connected?
Is there a direct connection between peace, solitude and serenity? To have peace, one must engage solitude and to achieve serenity, one must first obtain peace. Let’s explore these three states of being.
Peace
o Peace is a harmonious state of being that incorporates being calm and quiet within one’s self. Being in harmony with one’s self precedes being in harmonious relationships with others. This peaceful state of being is a reflection of inner contentment and deep satisfaction throughout one’s daily life.
o Peace is not the absence of problems but a peaceful mindset during problematic times. A peaceful mindset is one whose nucleus is founded in God-given solutions. Knowledge received from God is not a one-size-fit-all solution package but is always directed to solve each personal challenge, singly. First, we must realize that we have immediate access to this knowledge for the resolution of our challenges and secondly, that this knowledge is freely given specifically to and for us, individually. Peace comes from the knowing within of the absolute certainty of receiving the solutions to all challenges we face.
o The book of Philippians in the Bible tells us that the peace of God will be with us if we will but think on these things–whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and are of a good report. As you can see, thoughts of doubt, worry and despair are not in this list. Always be mindful of what you are thinking. Take charge of your thoughts and most assuredly you will take charge of your life’s experience.
Solitude
o I refer to solitude as “alone” time with your Source–your Creator. Solitude in this sense is valued time spent without interference or disturbances so one can recharge and re-enforce God’s goodness whether spiritually, mentally or physically. The state of solitude may be obtained more readily if you eliminate your use of the following during this designated time period–phones, televisions, radios, computers, people, games or any other noise producing trappings and distractions.
o Some people are afraid to be alone with themselves. Don’t be afraid. The truth is that you are never alone. God is at the center-most depth of your Being. This is where God resides. The Bible states, that God will never leave us nor forsake us. God can’t leave us or forsake us because God is permanently and purposely the basis, background and blueprint of all living DNA. Without God, we cease to exist. In God we move, live and have our being–KJV Acts 17.
Serenity
o Serenity is that state of Being that we all strive for, daily. Adjectives given from the US English Thesaurus says being serene incorporates being calm, peaceful, quiet, and still. One of my favorite Biblical scriptures is in Psalms 46 which tells us to be still and know that I AM God. There is no greater activity than to contemplate daily on the goodness of God and this is achieved by being still.
o Being serene is also defined as being composed, unruffled, unflustered and laid-back. We all love to be around persons who seem calm and in control when momentary upheavals of daily circumstances occur. These individuals have a tranquil disposition who always seem to have it together no matter what is happening. Take notice also that tranquil can be described as being without stress or emotional turmoil.
o Being in a serene state of Being may even lower and eliminate stress-related diseases that are so common in today’s busy lifestyles.
Lastly, in considering the peace, solitude and serenity states of being, can you have one without the other? Sure, you can be peaceful without reaching the higher level of serenity but you can not be in a state of serenity without first being peaceful. Solitude is the roadmap depicting the highway leading to peace and the more narrow road from peace to serenity. Would you consider this a road worth traveling?
Collecting the 1921 Silver Dollar – A Key Date in the Peace Dollar Series
Until 1921, no new silver dollars had been minted in the United States since the 1904 Morgan Dollar. Demand for silver dollars was low & there was no need for any additional mintage. The combination of a piece of legislation called the Pittman Act & the desire for a coin to commemorate World Peace after the end of WWI in 1918 set the stage for the 1921 Peace Silver Dollar to be released.
The Pittman Act called for 350,000,000 existing Morgan Dollars to be melted for bullion & for Congress to purchase the equivalent amount of silver from US mines at a fixed cost of 1 an ounce. This silver was to be used to mint a like number of new silver dollars, & the resulting 23 cent difference per dollar being considered a subsidy to the country’s silver producers.
The Morgan Dollar was minted at all 3 mints in 1921 to the tune of around 86 million coins. At the same time the new Peace Dollar was being designed by Anthony DeFrancisci, a noted designer of medals. His design was decidedly different from previous designs in a couple of notable ways. First, his depiction of LIBERTY faced left instead of right as she did in the Morgan Dollar & Barber coins of the era, & she wears a crown of rays around her head. His Eagle is at rest with wings folded on the reverse, rather than in flight as or with wings spread as in previous coin designs. The Eagle stands on a mound with the word PEACE on it, with rays extending out from the mound. The most distinct difference was the relief of the coin. Being a designer of medals DeFrancisci used the high relief design that a medal would bear, something not yet tried on a US coin design.
Once the Peace design was ready, mintage of Morgans was suspended & 1,006,473 1921 Peace Dollars were struck at the Philadelphia mint. This was the only year that the coin was not minted at least 1 of the other 2 branch mints, making the this 1921 silver dollar the only design not to bear a mint mark. In subsequent years the mint mark would appear on the reverse under the Eagle’s tail feathers. The coins were very detailed because of the high relief, but this also made them difficult stack & the design was changed to low relief in 1922 & from then on the coins had a standard low relief.
The combination of its low mintage, unique high relief design, & first year of release makes the 1921 Peace Dollar a very collectible & very desirable coin. The design was halted after only seven years in 1928 due to the requirements of the Pittman Act being met. It made a brief reappearance in 1934 & 1935 before being once again discontinued. It was the last true Silver Dollar design in the United States, with the Eisenhower & Susan B. Anthony Dollars being clad with no silver content.
10 Couples Halloween Costume Ideas
Going to a Halloween party as a couple? Here’s some Halloween costume ideas that will help you make a splash.
Mask of Zorro
Him:
Bandido – black cape, black pants, black hat, black eye mask, black boots, black or white shirt, fake sword.
Her:
Senorita – long dress with ruffled skirt bottom or peasant blouse and skirt with ruffled bottom, black lace veil headpiece, high heels or granny boots, fancy fan.
He-Man and the Veiled Beauty
Him:
Hercules – tunic, flowing cape, sandals, fake body armor, armbands, long hair wig, fake sword.
Her:
Belly Dancer – belly dancer outfit, sandals, costume jewelry.
Alternative: Genie outfit
Wild West
Him:
Gunslinger – white shirt, brown vest, long dark coat, red bandana (wrap around neck), cowboy hat, cowboy boots, holster and fake gun.
Her:
Saloon Girl – Saloon girl outfit
Roaring 20s
Him:
Old Style (20s era) Gangster – long, dark or pinstriped coat, dark or pinstriped pants, dark shirt, skinny light color tie, 20s era black hat, dark shoes or chaps.
Her:
Flapper Girl – flapper dress, sparkly headband or headband with feather, stockings, pumps, colorful pearls or costume jewelry.
Rock n’ Hop
Him:
Fifties Greaser – black leather jacket, black t-shirt, jeans (bottoms rolled up), black loafers, white socks, dark sunglasses, small black fine tooth comb (hair is slicked back or in a pompador).
Her:
Fifties Good Girl – poodle skirt or full skirt, blouse or short sleeve knit top, white bobby sox, black and white saddle shoes, pearls, hair barrettes (pull hair back in a pony tail and tie a scarf around it).
The Champs
Him:
Male Boxer – silky style robe (use glitter paint to add your boxing name on back), boxing style shorts, boxing gloves, high top sneakers or boxing style shoes, makeup to create bruises (optional), baby oil (to make skin glisten), championship belt (optional).
Her:
Female Boxer – silky style robe (use glitter paint to add your boxing name on back), boxing style shorts, sports top, boxing gloves, high top sneakers or boxing style shoes, baby oil (to make skin glisten), championship belt (optional).
Law and Order
Him:
Convict – black and white prisoner outfit or orange jumpsuit, fake handcuffs.
Her:
Cop – blue shirt, black pants, police cap, police badge, Billy club, handcuff key.
Hawaiian Vacation
Him:
Tourist – loud Hawaiian shirt, shorts, sandals or sneakers, sunglasses, camera, flower lei.
Her:
Hula Dancer – hula skirt, bikini top, flower lei, sandals, long black wig, flower for hair.
50s Legends
Him:
Young Elvis – black leather jacket, black t-shirt or black and white striped t-shirt, black jeans, black loafers, white socks, sunglasses, hair should be slick and full, and a mini tape recorder with “Jailhouse Rock” (or “Hound Dog”) pre-recorded to play your latest hit single for people.
Alternative Elvis look: 50s era rocker suit, tie, white bucks, sunglasses
Her:
Marilyn Monroe – 50s starlet dress (or white Marilyn dress), pumps, platinum blond wig with Marilyn hairstyle, glam makeup to look like Marilyn, cubic zirconia diamond jewelry (optional).
60s A-Go-Go
Him:
Hippie – bell bottom pants, tie-dyed shirt, head band, fringe vest, peace sign necklace or happy face button, long hair wig.
Her:
Go Go Dancer – colorful 60s style mini skirt or dress, white or black knee high boots, flip hairstyle or bob cut wig, white gloves (optional).