Serenity -
Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought.
A person becomes calm in the measure that one understands themselves as a thought evolved being, for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as one develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect, one ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene.
The calm person, having learned how to govern themselves, knows how to adapt themselves to others; and they, in turn, reverence their spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of them and rely upon them. The more tranquil a person becomes, the greater is their success, their influence, their power for good. Even the ordinary trader will find their business prosperity increase as one develops a greater self control and equanimity, for people will always prefer to deal with a person whose demeanor is strongly equable.
The strong, calm person is always loved and revered. They are like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm. Who does not love a tranquil heart, a sweet-tempered, balanced life? It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to those possessing these blessings, for they are always sweet, serene, and calm. That exquisite poise of character which we call serenity is the last lesson of culture; it is the flowering of life, the fruitage of the soul. It is precious as wisdom, more to be desired than gold, than even fine gold. How insignificant mere money seeking looks in comparison with a serene life - a life that dwells in the ocean of truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of tempests, in the eternal calm!

How many people we know who sour their lives, who ruin all that is sweet and beautiful by explosive tempers, who destroy their poise of character, and make bad blood! It is a question whether the great majority of people do not ruin their lives and mar their happiness by lack of self-control flow few people we meet in life who are well-balanced, who have that exquisite poise which is characteristic of the finished character!
James Allen
1864-1912, Author 

Spending some time with friends up in the serene Sawtooth Mountains charges the soul and calms the mind.  The company I work for www.personalshopper.com was generous enough to give us July 4th, 5th, and 6th off to enjoy the whole week in celebration of our country’s Independence.  So on Friday morning, Hortense and I headed back to Stanley, Idaho for the first time since we were married there….almost 3 years ago.  Part of the reason we chose this spectacular spot to be married was to have a great excuse to visit frequently.  We have since decided to come back in September, the month we were wed.

With a heat-wave hovering over the West, the Sawtooth Mountains promised a reprieve as they are often one of the coldest regions in the lower 48.  Hortense and I planned a weekend of tri-training bringing our wetsuits, bikes, and running shoes.  At a low of 6000 feet elevation, the training was tough but will make racing at sea level feel awesome.  We camped at Sunny Gulch and were fortunate to have a site right next to the Salmon River.  Having the sound of the water rushing through the rock bed was calming and sitting in the water to soak the legs was refreshing and meditative.  I love rivers and find them to be a wonderful source of pleasure. 

Having to race at an ITU Continental Cup the following weekend I had a lot of shorter more intense workouts while enjoying the change in scenery.  Hortense soaked up all that nature had to offer and went on some long rides.  Saturday morning she and Jody set out on a century ride from Stanley to Challis along the beautiful Salmon River.  However, on the way back near Sun Beam (86 miles), the heat, wind, and elevation took a toll and Hortense wisely decided to call it a day and chill in some shade.  Luckily, Tom and I noticed that our wives had been gone long enough that they may be in need of some support.  While Jody made it all the way back to camp, we saved Hortie a couple of hours of waiting by using our sixth sense to assist.  Who said men don’t have that ability?

The days and nights in the mountains were peaceful and relaxing and spent with good company.  I carry this vivid memory of the night sky on fire with starlight as I slept outside cloaked in a blanket of fresh mountain air.  These are the kind of days that leave you yearning for more and appreciating life even more than you already do.

Calm your mind. live in the moment