Four years ago I entered treatment for alcoholism for (hopefully) the last time (there had been six or seven treatments before then).I was a low-bottom alcoholic (trashed my job, my health, my social life, my finances, youve heard it all before).But this time around I finally had enough (sick and tired of being sick and tired), and sobriety became the most important thing in the world to me.Being a good obsessive-compulsive neurotic, I created long lists of things I intended to do to achieve and maintain that sobriety (working the steps was, and still is, very high on that list).So far its been working (I will soon celebrate four years of sobriety).Somewhere along the line I became very interested in the idea of serenity and inner peace.I am a psychologist (and I often chuckle to myself when I hear people in recovery complain about seeing a psychologist who knows absolutely nothing about addiction --- there really are a few of us lurking around).My shotgun-approach quest for serenity and inner peace took me to many places, including philosophy, positive psychology, allied health, numerous discussions with many people (many of whom were in recovery), considerable introspection, religion and spirituality, empirical research and workshops with hundreds of people from many walks of life, and many other sources. I do believe that having a sense of meaning and purpose in life is one major component of serenity, and my search for serenity did certainly contribute to my sense of personal meaning and purpose.The quest for serenity continues, but to date I think/feel/believe that serenity and inner peace is promoted by four factors: HIGHER POWER (for example, spirituality, search for meaning, and pursuit of goals); HARMONY (for example, acceptance, wisdom, letting go of anger and resentments, forgiveness, self-compassion, self-efficacy, mindfulness); POSITIVITY (for example, positive emotions, sense of humor, balance in life, gratitude, humility, coping, control, time management); and LIFESTYLE (for example, living for today, promoting good health, social support, effective parenting, volunteer efforts, and servant leadership).Im not about to promise anyone that what Ive learned will guarantee anyone attaining serenity and inner peace, but what Ive learned does include many suggestions that just might help.It works for me.Theres more about my quest on my web site (www.balancedpsych.com), including information about a book I just completed, as well as a bare-bones, condensed version of the book (63 pages) that is free (and free is good).Take it easy!

Dale R. Floody, Ph.D. (Developmental Psychology, Rutgers University, 1977)