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By Fr. Roy Cimagala
Chaplain
Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)
Talamban, Cebu City
WITH the increasingly toxic air we are having these days, due mainly to rabid political influencers who shamelessly force their views on us as if they are the only ones who are correct, we need to strongly remind ourselves that it is all worthwhile to develop a calm and gentle disposition. Many benefits can be drawn from such effort.
For one, it would help us to smoothly handle, if not avoid, stressful situations. It creates an environment that is soothing, calming and relaxing. Indeed, we can expect a more serene and idyllic setting and tone. Nowadays, with increasing cases of people with some mental or psychological issues, it would truly be helpful for us to cultivate a calm and gentle disposition.
Another advantage of this kind of disposition is the fostering of better relationships among ourselves. When we are calm and gentle, people most likely would feel more comfortable around us. Mental reservations, animosities and other hidden forms of critical thoughts would somehow disappear or at least minimized. Charity, compassion, empathy, etc. would be better lived.
Still more, a calm and gentle disposition facilitates clearer thinking and better judgments. It would enable us to consider things under different aspects, broadening our views and moving beyond our unavoidable biases and prejudices. This way, we can manage to get out of our own entrapping world and to have a glimpse, at least, of the world outside.
It also cannot be denied that a calm and gentle disposition can truly improve our health, allowing us to lower our blood pressure and to be less prone to worries and anxieties. It would give us a drive and an energy that is purified and properly directed and pursued.
Definitely, a calm and gentle disposition would make us more resilient, able to adapt properly to the varying conditions of our life. When we are in good times, we can manage to remain humble and avoid being corrupted by vanity and the like. When are in bad times, we can manage to avoid discouragement and depression, and to keep on hoping, always thinking of alternative ways of coping with the situation.
To cultivate this kind of disposition, it would be good if we learn how to practice mindfulness and meditation which are powerful in calming our mind. Prayer, getting in touch with the ever almighty and merciful God would surely be helpful.
Taking regular deep breaths would also help, since these would slow down our heart rate. Doing regular physical exercises would also help in releasing tension and boosting our mood.
Yes, getting enough sleep is truly helpful. It acts as a way of recharging and refreshing ourselves, considering that during the day we would be confronted with all sorts of tasks, challenges and trials. In this regard, we should be careful when we are tempted to cut our sleep because of continual scrolling in social media, a common sad phenomenon these days.
We can manage to develop a calm and gentle disposition if we train ourselves to focus on others, practicing empathy and kindness, thinking well of others in spite of their defects and other shortcomings, letting go of grudges and other negative thoughts. Of course, we should also take breaks and learn to relax, doing things that bring us joy.
But what is most important is to keep our spiritual life, our relation with God and with others healthy and properly nourished. We need to pray, practice some forms of self-denial, avail of the sacraments, wage continual ascetical struggle, developing virtues, etc.
