Peace of Mind

I was thinking this week about having peace of mind. How useful is “peace of mind?” When you are at peace in your mind, you are free to work through any challenges or tasks set in front of you. When you are at peace in your mind, you are free to make good decisions and wise choices.

I was standing over a birdie putt on a difficult par five hole. It was fifty feet long, a monumental task for my skill level. I needed the putt to fall to defeat my competitor and to reach my goal of breaking 80. I looked it over, settled in, cleared my mind and struck the putt. A few seconds later it went in. That got me thinking…my mind was at peace and I performed to the best of my capabilities. In contrast, two holes prior I missed a three foot putt because I was thinking about missing it and about the bad shot before and the next tee shot I had to hit. My mind was far from peaceful and it resulted in poor performance.

If you are like me, then your mind is on overdrive all the time with thoughts of the past and future and uncontrollable worries and events. It is maddening to try to settle your thoughts at times, especially when you are in a pressure situation. In sports we praise the “clutch” performer that performs at their best during the high pressure moments. I suspect that the ability to be “clutch” is directly related to the player being able to obtain a peace of mind in a moment of pressure and chaos.

How then do we achieve a higher degree of peace in our minds in order to perform our best in whatever situation we find ourselves in? I believe the answer is prayer, preparation, practice, and prayer. We pray to communicate our hearts and burdens to a loving God who is capable of providing answers and peace when we are incapable of finding any. Prayer, in a constant stream, provides confidence and comfort in our lives because we have let go of those things that would steal our peace. Preparation and practice provide a basis for peace in our tasks because we know we are capable of performing the task ahead. I have run the trap play hundreds of times and know how to execute it, I have hit a million golf balls and know I can hit this shot, I have shot a million baskets and know I can make a free throw. In the moment, my preparation to do my best provides me peace and calm.

Will we always be successful in that moment? No. But, we will retain our peace of mind because we were prepared to do the best we are capable of doing. Focus on peace of mind and incorporate it in to all of your endeavors.

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.

John Wooden